Useful Habits
February 13, 2012 
The first four days of my new - dare I say it out loud? - 365+1 projectI've been resisting taking on another 365 project so fiercely for the past few months that the resistance has become an act of stubborn performance art in itself. But I have so many other ideas. A 365 will just get in the way. It's too time consuming. I already did that. And on and on.
So instead of doing a 365 project I've done a lot of thinking about ideas and not very much doing. I've almost entirely stopped carrying my big-girl camera (to steal Meghan Davidson's phrase) and my shooting has ground to a halt. Also, as I have reported here ad nauseum, I found myself in a long and enduring Bad Mood.
The book Art & Fear came to me at Christmas and one of the really wonderful observations that stopped me in my tracks was about how artmaking thrives as a result of developing a set of useful habits that support that process. The author suggests that if your work becomes strained or difficult you might do well to look at what you changed and consider changing it back.
I've been sitting with that little nugget for about a month. Trying to ignore it, really.
But it kept returning to me. And at the beginning of February I started shooting again. I've given myself permission to keep it simple, shoot entirely with my iPhone, and post daily to Instagram (if you're so inclined, you can follow me here). The intention, of course, is to keep myself thinking photographically, to practice seeing daily, and to leave some space for some of those other big ideas to grow.
This is me, diving in. Wish me luck.
Art & Fear, Instagram, Meghan Davidson, habits, iPhone, intention, practice, process, project 365 | in Project 365+1, journal, photography
Reader Comments (9)
Everything comes and goes. Even the best things. Those are 4 sweet pics, sis
Corinna - welcome back to 365 land! I thought long and hard about continuing forth on my third 365 (+1), thinking many of the same thoughts - already done it (twice), can't you think of anything more creative?, etc, etc. But it is the daily practice that works for me - the process that keeps photography in the forefront of my daily life. Exactly where I want it to be.
I'm glad you decided to follow your heart. Have you seen the 365 app? It's an app you post your 365 instagram shots into. I don't have it on my phone right now but it looks very cool. I, too, decided to give myself permission to keep it simple, use whatever camera worked for me that day, and not to stress about posting a bit late. I won't let myself get more than a day behind because that just wouldn't be good for me. But if I get a day behind, it's all good. I'm doing this for me- to better myself, not to get a perfect attendance award. Right now I am posting to a blog format and it's working for me. I also post to instagram @heather_today because I love it. Have fun!
Big-girl camera. Yes. Remember, too, the best camera is the one that's with you. xoxo
I hear ya! I wrapped up my 365 last October, happy to be done with it, but now I am missing the daily practice, and like you said "thinking photographically". Maybe this is a push. Good luck to you!
I started following your posts last year during your 365 project...I'm glad you've decided to keep going. I've had a camera slump this year and I'm trying to feel the love again. It's coming. Slowly. I've tried shooting with the iPhone and I can't seem to get it to work well for me but I've made the commitment to figure it out. So good luck and thanks for inspiring me to push ahead too.
Thanks guys. It's strange that for as long as I've resisted starting up again, now that I'm two weeks in, it feels like coming home.
"Art & Fear" is one of my most favorite books, ever. I was so fortunate to be able to meet Ted Orland in person during a trip to California a few years ago - he's a remarkable person. I turn back to "Art & Fear" when I feel stuck, or lost, or any of a million things that aren't good for me. Well, the book and now the refuge of all our Shutter Sisters.
I'm in Estes Park next weekend for a girls escape with my pal who retired there. Snowshoeing and photography and wine and sisterhood. Even though I won't get to see you, it makes me feel good just to know I'll be in your part of the world. Hoping I'll get to use my Big Girl Camera more than the iPhone for once.
Finally, I don't care what you shoot with just as long as you shoot. I like seeing the world through your eyes.
I'm thrilled that you're taking the plunge again Corinna--I loved watching your 365 unfold and can't wait to see what's next. I'm an android guy so I've got to figure out how to follow you on Instagram. I think I've got an old iPod that I can sign up with...