I recently picked up the book “The Four Tendencies” by Gretchen Rubin. I am an Upholder, which makes a lot of sense. In the book she describes 4 personality profiles, she has a test in chapter 2 that guides you into what profile you fit into. As an upholder I “meet outer expectations” as well as “meet inner expectations”. Why am I telling you all this? I recently completed a challenge that I made for myself, 100 days of Creativity. I did not find the challenge daunting, after all I made the rules, rules that I could follow. This is why I did not require a completed painting everyday, that would be too much pressure on me. I could have stuck to it even without having accountability partners but the interaction was invaluable. They encouraged, critiqued and generally just made me feel that what I was doing was viable. I do not know which tendency these accountability partners fit into but I am pretty sure they are not “questioners”. My questioner husband was not one of the people I selected to hold me accountable. He asked me why, and told me I didn't have to do it, no one would know. Ha! I would know. It is funny how much I learned during those 100 days, more than painting technique, more than confidence, more about me. More on that later. I encourage everyone to challenge themselves, regardless of what personality type you are.

I recently finished 100 days of creativity.  I was required to create every day; I did not require myself to finish a piece each day, just create.  I picked 3 accountability partners and emailed them photos each day of what I had done.  When I would go out of town I always had my trusty sketchbook and colored pencils with me.  I also used photography as a creative outlet, which is easy to do at Lake Powell.  

I have learned a lot during these 100 days.  First, creating is fun, probably also the most important thing to remember.  Sure sometimes I got frustrated when something just wasn't looking how I had envisioned it, but you can always paint over it.  Second, the more you paint the easier it becomes.  Third,  there are no rules, just create.