Reaching 52
What a journey.These 52 weeks have been some of the busiest, most stressful yet fulfilling weeks of my life. When I started the project at the beginning of 2018 I wasn't fully aware how big of a commitment I had just made. I essentially dedicated every waking moment of every day to this project. It, very quickly, became a huge part of my life.Deciding to try this project wasn't a new thing, for two years I had tried to complete an image every week and for two years I had failed. Ever since I can remember I've been an incredibly goal oriented person and nothing is worse nor more disappointing than failing to meet a goal. When I set the goal of completing the project in 2018 I knew that no matter what I would have to complete it. I didn't know what would happen if I didn't, the thought never crossed my mind, I would finish it.And thus began the year long project.Following along with the weekly themes put out by Joel Robison in his "Lightbulb Project" I created an image every week. I fell behind and I got ahead. I struggled and I succeeded. I created images I love as well as ones I hate. Each image represents a part of the journey and they all come together to tell the story of how I dedicated an entire year of my life to this project.During those 365 days I discovered more about myself than I ever had before. I spent an incredibly large amount of time thinking about my art and in turn, myself. With each image I was challenged in some way and learned about how I work and think. With each week I examined my comfort zones and broke through them. I gained confidence both in my work and in myself.Journeys like this are less about the end product, I've discovered, and more about growing as an individual. I am not the same person I was in the very first image. I know that 2019 will be about growing and expanding from the person I am in the last image.Here are all 52 images, all 52 memories and stories. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy looking at them all together.
Of course every journey must come to a close no matter how much you want to continue on it. I completed a goal, one I never thought I would make it through. So when I finished that last image I couldn't help but feel a little sad about it all. It was like I was saying goodbye to an old friend.That chapter of my life is now finished and as I go into a new year I know that I cannot continue to be the person I have become. I must continue to grow and change, staying stagnant will only lead to self-destruction and unhappiness. I must grow, we all must. As we steadily go deeper into 2019 I challenge you to dedicate these 52 weeks to allowing yourself to grow.Be fluid and flexible, adapting to each new situation and working at becoming the best version of yourself possible.2019 is a fresh start and I look forward to all the opportunities it offers. I will never forget the challenges and the rewards 2018 brought with it. I've never felt such a huge since of accomplishment as I did when I posted image 52 of 52. But in order to thrive in life I know I must change and face all of the unknowns ahead.This New Year is going to be about discovering how I create outside of deadlines and without expectations. As I emerge from this 52 week project I am unsure of how I am going to create, it will not be consistent and I have a feeling it will be incredibly hard. But I am looking forward to exploring my creativity without a time limit.2018 has taught me so much about myself and I look forward to discovering so much more in 2019. I pray that in this year I will make some of my fondest memories and I pray that it is more about connection and relationships than deadlines and goals.Here's to all of the things we will accomplish in this New Year! 