Welcome to 100 Days of Wonder 2024
The 100-Day Project starts February 18, 2024 and so do we!
Hey there Creative Friends!
Gosh, am I ever blown away by how many of you are jumping in here. I can’t even tell you how much it means to this creative community-loving heart of mine. I’ve been tearing up all morning in gratitude.
There are more posts coming over the next 3-7 days with many more details, but I wanted to kick us off with answering some of the questions y’all have been asking over on Instagram, as well as giving you a brief overview of what to expect.
I don’t know about you, but when I hop on a challenge or sign up for someone’s online soiree, I really appreciate a speedy welcome and some basics to point me in the right direction.
To keep this easy to navigate, I’ll save my love for all things literary for the next posts 😉 and just share some basics. Cool?
Alrighty- let’s do this!
What is the 100-Day Project?
The 100-day project’s basic idea is simple. Pick a creative action of some kind that can be repeated and do it every day for 100 days. Then share what you are making or doing with others.
It was started circa 2010 by Michael Bierut as a workshop for graduate graphic design students at the Yale School of Art. The students had to do something design related that they could repeat for 100 days and then give a presentation about it.
Deep breath: no grad school projects or scary presentations here!
The concept spilled out into the broader creative community online and was popularized on Instagram by @dothe100dayproject. It rapidly became a global phenomenon.
That’s where I first connected with the idea.
What is the #100DaysofWonder2024?
Last year, after 5 years of trying my darndest and making it about 7 days each time, I finally landed on a concept that I was able to do. And the timing was right. I painted 100 tiny watercolor landscapes for #100daysoftinylandscapes.
Could 100 days of showing up for yourself and your creativity really change your life? 1000 times YES. (More to come on that soon!)
This year I’m using 100 one-word, wonder-filled, original prompts that light me up as my guide to inspire this project.
One of my biggest challenges last year was to stay inspired and not get distracted. It’s a marathon and truly the beautiful encouragement from my IG community kept me going.
So this year I wanted to do something a little different and I wanted every single one of you who wants to to come with me.
I can’t even wrap my imagination around the beauty we will create collectively.
When Does It Start?
Mark your calendars! The global 100-Day Project period starts February 18, 2024.
Between now and then I have 5ish posts that will be dropping here every few days that will provide more details and ideas about how to get ready, supplies you might want, tips and insights, and a whole lot of inspiration to go along with it.
Plus, I’ll be sharing a little more of an introduction to how things work in general on Substack in case you are new to it as a platform.
Make sure you are subscribed here on The Wonder Habit™ so you don’t miss anything.
What if I’m Not an “Artist”?
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up… Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” - Picasso
So I’m calling an audible and siding with Picasso on this one. Even if you don’t feel like an artist, I believe deep down inside of you there is a creative spark, an art spark waiting to be released.
You don’t have to paint or draw. You can craft. You can make color mixes with your children’s Crayolas after they go to bed. You can write one sentence in a notebook.
There are so many ways to build a creative practice that feeds your soul.
If you want to explore sketching or try watercolor this is the perfect opportunity to do so. It isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. About looking for beauty and the wonder that lives all around us.
I have a post coming out next week about how to interact with the prompts to get the most out of them, regardless of how you choose to create.
How Does the #100DaysofWonder2024 Tie in with the 100-Day Project?
Simply put, I created the prompts originally for my use as my 100-Day Project this year.
But then decided I really want anyone who would like to be more creative, feel less alone, and find more wonder every day to join me for the adventure.
Is It Free? And How Does It Work?
The 100-Day Project is absolutely free.
The basic prompts for our #100DaysofWonder2024 are also free.
Here’s how it works:
Every week (Saturdays, 8 AM EST), I’ll send out our Weekly Wonder Drop email filled with encouragement, thoughts I’m having, some of my progress, and the prompts for the next week.
That part is free, free-free-free free for the duration of the 100 days.
Below that, there will be a second section, where I’ll take each prompt and offer 3-5ish additional ideas for interacting with it in case you feel stuck. These aren’t instructions or tutorials, but rather more thoughts on ways to interact with the prompt you can explore as jumping-off points if you need them.
In this second section, I’ll also be sharing my process for the first prompt of the new week. Some will be video (if I can wrangle my tech to play nicely 😉). Some will be photos and descriptions.
For the first 3 weeks this extended content section will be available to everyone for free. So you can see if you enjoy it and find it helpful.
After that, the extended content will be part of our paid community subscription of $8.99/month.
This subscription will also unlock all of The Wonder Habit™ community spaces and additional content as it develops as well. To be clear, $8.99/month is all access pass that includes the #100daysofwonder and all the community content. To read the exact details about what this means, check out our Start Here page.
But the encouragement, basic prompts, some surprise goodies, and project updates… basically everything you need to do the 100 Days of Wonder together with me will remain free throughout the 100-Day Challenge period 2024.
What if the Idea of 100 Days Everyday Overwhelms Me to Even Think About?
I completely get that! Just do the first prompt each week. A weekly rhythm of creativity is invaluable and no less of an accomplishment.
Or pick 2 or 3 prompts that speak to you and skip the rest.
Literally, there is no way to get this wrong. None. Can’t be done. This is a safe supportive space.
And you are going to hear me say that ⬆️ a bajillion times before we are through this period.
How Do I Share What I’m Working On?
The easiest way is to post on Instagram and make sure you use the hashtag #100daysofwonder2024 so I can find you.
I’ll be sharing as many as I can in my stories! I have a few more ideas in the works… but this where we’ll start.
Also you can use the tags #100dayproject and #100dayproject2024 to connect with others also participating in the broader 100 Day Project beyond our crew here.
It’s such a great way to meet new creative friends!
What Happens Next?
I’m putting on the finishing touches of a mini series created to help you prepare for the 100-Day Project in general and our #100daysofwonder2024 specifically. Here’s what’s steeping and coming your way soon over the next 10-15 days.
Get Ready with Me, 100-Day Project Style: Tips and tools I’ve found incredibly helpful, suggested supplies, and in general how to get set up before it starts to help keep you going for the duration.
Lessons from my 2023 100-Day Project
One prompt, 10 ways: I’m going to show you all the ways I can think of to interact with our Day 1 prompt and tips on how to make these prompts work for you right where you are at.
A More Extended Walkthrough of How Substack Works as a Subscriber so understand how to get around here and make the most of this space.
Plus some of our regular content outside of the 100-Day Project as well
Phew, if you made it this far… I’m impressed! This has been a lot.
If you have general questions, please drop them in the comments. If you need something more specific, send me an email at hello@dmicheleperry.com.
See you very soon!