The next round of #the100dayproject

+ happy holidays ❤️✨

Hi Artists,

How’ve you been doing? I’ve been thinking about all of you and this community a lot lately. I count myself lucky for so many reasons, but even in the best of years this season is bittersweet. The inevitable reflections, the family complications, the fun parties, the feeling overwhelmed by having too many fun parties. In a “normal” year, looking back we might ask ourselves questions like what did I accomplish and am I happy with how I’ve spent my time?

What a strange thing to even begin to contemplate in 2020. I remember when I was in treatment for cancer feeling this terrible fear that I wasn’t “using the time wisely” or something like that. In retrospect, all I could really do was do my best to survive. The rest didn’t matter that much. But time has a particularly strange quality in circumstances like these, when we feel so little control over our lives.

This morning I picked up my friend Sasha’s beautiful book For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World and turned to the chapter on winter. This line jumped out at me:

“More than any other time of year, we need a holiday in the dead of winter. We need something to remind us that darkness is not forever.”

And in year like this one, more than most, it’s good to remember. It isn’t forever.

Just as we look back at this time of year, we also look forward to the future. What a gift! Instead of setting goals, I’m making a list of things I’m looking forward to. Hugging my friends. Going to the movies. Worrying less. Dancing with strangers. What are you looking forward to?

Believe it or not, I’m already working on the next round of the project. And I’d love for you to weigh in – specifically on when you’d like to start next year, and a few ideas for the project. Historically, we’ve always started the first Tuesday in April but…the rules are made up! Given that many of us will be home during winter and spring, I thought it might be nice for us to get an early start. What about you?

This one is super short, just three (optional) questions. I appreciate you taking the time to help shape the project.

Lastly, I want to open up the comments section of this post for those of you who are selling your art and handmade goods. Please post your online shops or social links below. And for those of you who still have holiday shopping left, come back later to find gifts for your loved ones made by the community.

Holding you all in my heart – have a safe and happy holiday season.

XO,
LJT