How to Move Forward When You’re in the Muddy Middle

Week 6 of this project was neither good nor bad: it was boring. I know it’s normal for the excitement to wear off for me right around the 30% mark. But! I’ve learned that this feeling signals a crucial decision-making point in a project like this. If you’re considering a creative project like this for yourself (of any length) or you’re stuck in the muddy middle too, read on!

Here’s what I carved this week:

Day 26: Black Widow Spider

Day 27: Wild Blueberries

Day 28: Joshua Tree
(which I learned is not a tree!)

Day 29: Saguaro Cactus Flower

Day 30: Mallard Duck

This week I received many compliments on my willingness to “keep going” during this 100-day project, and y’all, I felt super uncomfortable accepting those kind words! I have started a LOT of projects like this without completing them.

But you know what? I’ve learned that letting go is an equally valuable skill. While I plan to keep going with this project, I’m glad that I made space for it by letting go of others.

I guess what I’m saying is this: feeling unmotivated at 30% is normal! And a great signal to reexamine our “why” and then make a choice: should we keep going or let go?

Journal Prompts To Help Decide: Keep Going or Let Go?

What initially inspired me to start this project, and what am I hoping to get out of it now?
What have I learned so far, and what could I potentially learn if I finish it?
How does this project align with my long-term goals and values as a creative?
What do I stand to gain by completing this project, both personally and professionally?
What are the potential costs or sacrifices of continuing, including time, resources, and emotional energy?
What’s the worst that can happen if I decide to continue? What’s the worst that can happen if I decide to let go?
How does the balance of these “pros and cons” affect my desire and motivation to continue?

Ideas if you decide to keep going:

Write a Statement of Intent:

Write down what you intend to achieve by completing this project.

List the Benefits:

Make a list of the benefits you’ll gain by finishing this project. Post your list somewhere you’ll see every day!

Visualize the Outcome:

Spend time visualizing, making a Pinterest board, or drawing, what the successful completion of your project might look like. Imagine how it may feel, the impact it may have on your creative community and the doors it may open for you.

Affirmations if you decide to let go:

I honor the effort, time, and creativity I've invested in this project. Letting go does not diminish its value or the growth it has fostered in me.
I choose projects that align with my deepest values and goals. Letting go of this project frees me to pursue paths that are more in tune with my current priorities.
Deciding to stop this project is a testament to my courage to follow my intuition and dedicate myself to what truly matters.

I hope these will encourage you to keep making, knowing that your work and your growth matter deeply. Your work is valuable and beautiful and needed - whether you complete a timed project or not!

Week 6 on Social:

I did decide to let go of something this week: TikTok! Mainly because I was spending too much time on my phone. 😉

Instagram
Accts Reached: 28.2k (-3.5k)
Followers: 4049 (+4)
Accts Engaged: 1000 (-61)

I hit the 30-day mark, so I expected things to level out but I’m disappointed that my "reach” decreased for no discernable reason. Maybe the universe/algorithm also got bored with my project this week? Maybe I shared less enthusiastically? Maybe it’s just the regular ebb and flow. Either way, it’s an opportunity to prove that I’m not in it for the “likes!” 😉

Insta Weekly Growth

This was a long post, so if you’ve stuck with me, thank you!

I’ll leave you with an affirmation for everyone:
Embracing the ebb and flow of my creative journey allows me to grow, learn, and transform in ways I never imagined. Each project I pursue, whether completed or released, is a stepping stone to deeper understanding and greater expression. I am beautifully evolving with each choice I make.

Yours in creative community,

Sarah K

TL;DR

Week 6 Highlights:

This week’s blocks were: a Black Widow Spider, Wild Blueberries, a Joshua Tree , a Saguaro Cactus Flower & a Mallard Duck
I hit 30% of my project and this week felt boring, which made me consider whether to keep going or let go
I shared journal prompts to help you decide whether to keep going or let go when you hit the “muddy middle”
I shared ideas for what to do if you decide to keep going
I shared affirmations if you decide to let go

Week 6 Recap: Keep Going or Let Go?