How to Have a Successful 31 in 31

“To begin, begin”

-William Wordsworth

What is 31 in 31? 

31 in 31 is taking on one creative, self-expressive or self-nurturing pursuit once a day for the entire month of January and sharing that pursuit in a supportive online community. Artists, poets, writers, musicians, doodlers, yogis, photographers, knitters, and daily walk takers have all found a place in this community that was born of my own daily painting practice, one that had become lonely and longed for companionship.

What I’ve learned over the last ten years

Before 31 in 31 became an official group and an official practice that happened every January 1st, I used to pick any random month and do a daily painting challenge. My first was in April of 2014 and became the catalyst for my entire art career. In other words, I’ve been at this little practice for more than a decade. I tell you this for one reason only: I know what works and what doesn’t…for me. And maybe, some of it will work for you, too. That’s why I put together a quick guide to a successful 31 in 31 for those who are taking on the challenge with me again this year. My guess is that some of it will resonate with you and some of it won’t. Take what works and throw the rest away. I always say that there’s no right or one way to 31. We bring to this practice our personalities, our quirks, our shortcomings, our gifts. Read this as suggestions rather than commands. And please, feel free to add to it in the comments! And we’re off–

Seven ways to set yourself up for a successful 31 in 31

1. Think small.

I grew up in a family of high achievers. I think I had a t-shirt in seventh grade that said “Go big or go home.” But this is not the Superbowl and you are not Tom Brady. Think about what your creative act is for 31 days and then make it smaller. Doing a painting a day like me? Make them tiny. Don’t like to work small? Do just ten strokes on a large piece every day. Writing poetry? Commit to daily haikus. If and when they turn into more, great! But you’ve got your base covered. A native Louisianian, I’ve had this great word I’ve used my whole life: lagniappe. It means a little something extra. When you start small, everything else becomes glorious lagniappe. And lagniappe, by its very nature, is stress-free. It’s an added bonus. Make your focus what is manageable. Maybe even embarrassingly small. That way you lay your foundation for success, a foundation from which a little lagniappe might just emerge.

2. Ritualize it.

If you leave writing, painting, music-making up to chance, chances are life is going to win. The grocery store will beckon. Laundry cries out. Dinner doesn’t just make itself. So let’s try this: set aside a time and place each day for your practice. And when you start, take a deep breath, light a candle, recite a mantra or prayer, play the same song– whatever it takes to establish a change from not working on your art to working on your art. I’m a huge fan of the early mornings. I love to work when my family is still asleep, when it feels like time is on my side. And I love for it to be midday and I’ve already accomplished my day’s work. But maybe you’re most creative at night and your time is at 9pm. That’s great too. Rituals carry us when the feelings and motivations are gone or dwindling. Turning your 31 day practice into a ritual is one of the very best ways I know to succeed. 

3. Get prepared.

Have your table cleared, your supplies ready. Take notes, brainstorm, sketch, stretch, whatever it is you need to do. Decide before January 1 what tools you’ll need and get them. Unwrap them. The last thing you want to be doing Jan 1 is finding supplies. If you’re doing 31 small paintings like me, get all 31 canvases. And if it’s your first go at this, why not make them all the same (small) size? And why not throw in a few lagniappe sizes too, you know, just in case? Make a list of topics you want to cover or trails you want to run or crochet patterns you want to use. Whatever the case is for you, spend today making a few decisions so that when January comes you can…

4. Jump right on in.

Even if you are the most type-A, by the books, head-of-the-class, over-achiever who spent days, even weeks preparing, there’s a good chance that you still won’t feel quite ready. No matter. Jump in. Write a sentence. Make a line. Play a note. Wherever you find yourself, just start and everything else will fall into place.

5. Leave something undone.

Every day when you leave your creative time, the one you’ve prepared for, ritualized, and jumped right into, end by starting something you won’t finish in that session. In other words, get the framework for an idea that you can pick right back up tomorrow. Whenever I finish one of my daily paintings, I start at least one more. That way, the next day I don’t waste any time thinking about what I’m going to do. I just jump right back in to where I left off, leaving out the part where I agonize over what I’m going to work on that day. 

6. Don’t play catch up.

This one is HUGE for your sanity. If you miss days 6,7, and 8, don’t try to do all three plus day 9 on day 9. Just do day 9. Think of this as a line dance. You may miss a few steps and have to take a breather, but you can always jump back in wherever the dance is. If you try to make up the steps you missed, you’ll inevitably get even further off the beat. Can you just trust me on this one?

7. Have a go-to.

What’s that one subject, color, song, etc you adore? Have something you can return to again and again and again when you’re waiting for inspiration to strike. For me, it’s a little bird on a 4×4 canvas with a bright background. I’ll paint these all day long as a way to beckon some new inspiration. Inspiration, in my experience, is usually repelled by anxious inaction. It doesn’t like to be talked about too much, counted on, or controlled. It usually likes to sneak in when we are actively pursuing something, even if it feels mundane. So answer this question– when I have no idea what to do, I’ll______________.  That answer might just be the difference between finishing the 31 and losing steam on day 4. 

Those are my big takeaways from my decade + of daily painting practices. Which ones resonate with you the most? What would you add to the list? And if you want to take on this challenge with me, it’s not too late to sign up!