Chapter 1: The Challenge Begins

It has been two weeks since I embarked on a personal commitment to write daily. Despite facing finals, a trip back to India, and the accompanying jet lag, I have successfully adhered to this challenge. Kudos to me!

This isn't my first attempt at such a project; I previously undertook a similar endeavor. In 2020, I aimed to draw every day for 100 days, and while I made it almost to the end, I faltered at day 99.

The Artist's Journey

Art has always been a passion of mine; I dreamed of being an artist as a child. However, as life would have it, I became deeply involved in the pursuit of career success. By 2020, I was fully immersed in my role as a Program Manager, and it had been a decade since I last picked up a crayon. Realizing I needed to reconnect with my artistic side, I set a goal to create something every day for 100 days and share it on Instagram, adopting the moniker ‘the Pistah’.

I began illustrating iconic figures from pop culture, producing 99 unique character designs, from Spider-Man to Peaky Blinders. You can check them out on my Instagram.

Chapter 2: The Struggle to Create

Getting to day 99 was no small feat. Balancing a demanding 10-hour work schedule, six days a week, with my passion project was challenging. Each illustration required anywhere from one to five hours of focused work. After long days, my inclination was often to simply go to bed. Nevertheless, I persevered, producing illustrations daily. Some turned out great, while others were merely satisfactory, yet I remained dedicated.

The Decision to Pause

As I progressed, I noticed improvements—my artwork on day 27 was noticeably better than on day 7, and day 78 surpassed day 58. So, why did I choose to "give up" at day 99 when I was so near the finish line?

The answer is simple: it became monotonous. To keep up with the daily illustrations, I had to streamline my process, which limited my creativity and turned it into a chore rather than a joyful activity. I had started this challenge to escape the stress of my day job, and it began to feel like work instead. So, I decided to take a break.

The Yellow Light Analogy

You might wonder, “Couldn’t you have pushed through just one more day?” Indeed, I could have. However, reaching 99 was a significant accomplishment in itself. What’s the difference between 99 and 100? Often, we lose sight of the reasons we begin certain endeavors. For me, the joy was missing, and I believe we should live life on our own terms.

In a world dominated by motivational quotes and relentless pushes to "never give up," it’s important to recognize that sometimes taking a step back is perfectly acceptable. Just like when you encounter a yellow traffic light, it's wise to pause and reflect rather than rush ahead.

I still create illustrations, but now not every day. I view it as a form of escape, a meditation that provides relief from the routine of daily life. Here’s one of my recent creations:

If you enjoyed this reflection, feel free to follow me here on Medium. And if you're up for a conversation, connect with me on LinkedIn—I’d love to exchange stories!

A glimpse into the final days of a creative journey, capturing the essence of persistence and the beauty of artistic expression.

Exploring the finish line of a 2,000,000 step challenge, showcasing the determination and excitement of reaching goals.