It is undeniably true that the best way to make something substantial is to work at it every single day.

I spent a lot if time at the beginning if my design career being scared and careful.

Scared, mostly of judgment from my peers, and very careful about putting my work “out there,” to the point that I just stunned myself into not creating at all. I saw the work that others were making and it was just so darn good that I figured I might as well not even try.

So I did the work that I HAD to do for my job, but my creative practice ended there. Turns out, the only way to get better at things is by doing those things day in and day out.

I’ve since gotten much better about doing design work and sharing it with the world. I’ve grown more confident in my skills and allowed myself to care less about what people think.

I LOVE hand-lettering.

It’s kind of “that thing” I’ve been meaning to get better at. The beauty of letterforms and how they connect with one another has intrigued me since I was young (I still have pages from my third grade journal that have scripty, blocky, and bubbly letters obsessively sketched all over them).

I’ve included my hand-lettering in my design work here and there with a really encouraging response, but you know what? Those scared, careful feelings from my early design career creep in often when it comes to hand-lettering.

You see, my work in this area is so far from perfect and (in my eyes) so far below the level of the lettering that I see from artists I admire.

Most of the time I just avoid doing it altogether, or I do it so carefully focused on perfection that I don’t allow any room for growth or experimentation.

So I’ve decided to start really walking my talk and just make things every. single. day. for 100 days. I’m participating in The 100 Day Project (#The100DayProject on Instagram) hosted by Elle Luna and The Great Discontent. I’ve decided to do #100DaysofJustMakeLetters for my project, and I’m doing a hand-lettered piece each day.

The project started on April 6, (so I’m currently on day 7) and I’ve already made new connections with other makers from around the world, and people have taken notice that I’m doing this thing every day.

I heard this little saying somewhere, and I can’t quite remember where (and I can’t seem to source it on google) but it goes something like this: “Are you ‘a writer’ (air quotes) or are you WRITING?” It stuck with me and applies to many things. “Are you ‘a designer’ or are you DESIGNING?” “Are you ‘a painter’ or are you PAINTING?” Are you ‘a maker’ or are you MAKING?” In order to actually live up to the title you give yourself, you need to be DOING that thing that you say you do, day in and day out. You will see results, you’ll surprise yourself, and you will make discoveries.

The great part of all this? You don’t need some special fairy to come down and dub you “a maker,” you just need to buckle down and make things. YOU have the power to do what you want to do, and honestly, you might not even know what it is that you want to do yet, and that’s okay.

Just MAKE something every day, and you’ll figure it out. Seriously.

Are you doing The 100 Day Project or a similar daily practice challenge? If so, leave your instagram handle and your project hashtag in the comments, I’d love to follow along and encourage you along the way!