Alright, let’s talk about this “dewi 365” journey I embarked on. It sounds a bit formal, maybe, but for me, it was a pretty straightforward personal challenge I set for myself, and I figured I’d share how it all went down from start to, well, where I am now.
Getting the Idea Rolling
It didn’t start with some grand vision, honestly. I was just feeling a bit… stuck. You know that feeling? Like you’re just going through the motions. I felt I needed something to anchor my days, something small but consistent. So, “dewi 365” was born out of that – a commitment to do one specific, tiny creative act every single day for a whole year. Could be anything: a sketch, a short piece of writing, trying a new recipe, even just learning one new word and using it. The “dewi” part? Well, that’s a bit personal, a reminder to myself of the ‘why’.
Setting Up for the Long Haul
First thing I did was get a dedicated notebook. Nothing fancy, just a plain, sturdy one. And a good pen. I’m a bit old school like that. I figured if I made the tools too complicated, I’d find excuses. So, simple was key.
I also told a couple of close friends. Not for accountability in a strict sense, but more to just put it out there, make it feel a bit more real. I didn’t make a big announcement or anything. This was for me.
My main rule was: no zero days. Even if it was just five minutes, even if the output felt like rubbish, I had to do something. That was the non-negotiable part.
The Day-to-Day Grind (and Joy!)
So, I started. The first few weeks were exciting! New energy, lots of ideas. I’d wake up thinking, “What’s my ‘dewi’ for today?”
- Morning Ritual: I tried to do it in the morning mostly. Get it done, set a positive tone for the day. Sometimes life happened, and it got pushed to the evening, but morning was the goal.
- Capturing the Moment: I’d jot down what I did, maybe a quick thought about it. The notebook started filling up. Some pages were full, others just had a tiny entry.
- Finding Inspiration: This was the tricky bit on some days. I’d walk around, look at things differently. Sometimes I’d just open a book to a random page and find a word to focus on. The key was to stay open.
There were days, believe me, when I just wanted to skip it. I’d be tired, uninspired, or just plain lazy. Those were the days I’d tell myself, “Just five minutes. Just one tiny thing.” And usually, once I started, it wasn’t so bad. Sometimes those “forced” days led to surprising little breakthroughs.
Bumps in the Road
Oh yeah, there were definitely bumps. Around month three or four, the novelty wore off. It started to feel like a chore. I remember one week where I seriously considered just quietly stopping. Who would even know, right?
But then I’d look back at my notebook, at all those little entries. And I’d think about that initial feeling of wanting something consistent. That’s what pulled me through. I also learned to be kinder to myself. If a day’s effort was minimal, fine. It was still an effort. It wasn’t about producing a masterpiece every day; it was about the act of doing.
What I Ended Up Realizing
By the time I got to the end of the 365 days, I wasn’t the same person who started. Cheesy, I know, but true.
- Discipline Builds Itself: The more I did it, the easier it became to just do it, even on tough days. It’s like a muscle.
- Small Things Add Up: Looking back at that full notebook was amazing. All those tiny efforts created something substantial. It’s a powerful visual.
- Perfection is the Enemy: If I had waited for perfect inspiration or perfect conditions, I’d have about ten entries, not 365. Done is better than perfect, truly.
- I Found My Rhythm: I learned what times of day worked best for me, what kind of small acts gave me the most satisfaction.
So, What Now?
Well, the initial “dewi 365” is technically over. I filled that notebook. But the habit? That stuck. I don’t do it with the same rigid “every single day no matter what” pressure anymore, but I find myself naturally incorporating those small creative acts or moments of learning into my routine. It’s become less of a challenge and more of a way of living.
It wasn’t about the “dewi” or the “365” in the end. It was about showing up for myself. And that’s a practice I plan to continue, notebook or not.
