Personal Projects are Important

Whether you're a photographer, writer, artist, woodworker, or whatever, it's important to have a personal project which balances you're regular work and really allows your own creativity to shine.

Personally, I've tried a Project 365, or a photo a day, and that didn't work for me. I've tried a monthly projects and weekly, but those didn't work either. To be completely honest, life just gets in the way and derails the project sometimes. I've got a full time job, and a wife and son who deserve my time as well, and a need to workout - sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day. So, how do I indulge my need to be creative? The desire to work on a personal project?

Well, like a lot of folks I often forget that I can be creative in my other ways, and a personal project is just that personal - I'm doing it for me! So, who cares if I don't take a photo a day or the last photo of my Flower Project was two weeks ago? Certainly not me; I'll work on my project when life allows me to!

On the creative side of things, I can be creative anytime and with anything. Playing with my son can be creative, and often spark a creative thought which will lead to an awesome photograph. Cooking dinner, or reading a book which engages my imagination can be creative. The possibilities are endless!

We often forget that we can be creative or inspired through any activity!

A personal project is just a chance to solidly and refine a creative thought. It allows to bring substance to that imaginative and creative idea.

So, if you are feeling un-motivated by that personal project you think you failed at, take a step back. Don't just drop it all together, but take a break and come back to it when you feel the time is right. IT'S YOUR PROJECT!

If your creativity seems to be lacking, take a look at a kid. To them their imagination is alive and everything they do has an element of creativity and imagination. Open your mind and allow your imagination to flow freely.


One one thing I do is to jot down ideas I have, or save Pinterest pins that spark a creative thought. This allows me to explore these ideas later when I'm feeling that lack of creativity.

So, what do you do when you're personal project "fails" or when you've misplaced your imagination and creativity??