avatarK. Barrett

Summary

The website content reflects on the "Photo-A-Day Challenge 2021," detailing the author's personal journey of mindfulness and connection through photography, and invites others to join the challenge in 2022.

Abstract

The "Photo-A-Day Challenge 2021" recap showcases the author's weekly photo collections, emphasizing the challenge's purpose: to notice and appreciate one's environment and share it with others. The author expresses how the challenge has helped them to slow down, observe, and feel a sense of awe and connection, especially during times of limited social interaction. The reflection underscores the value of shared experiences and the joy of discovering beauty in the mundane. The article also provides links to the author's weekly photo essays and acknowledges the challenge's originator, Dennett, concluding with an invitation for readers to participate in the upcoming year.

Opinions

  • The author believes that slowing down to appreciate and notice the environment leads to significant personal reflections and a deeper sense of gratitude.
  • Participating in the challenge has fostered a sense of global community and connection for the author, despite the limitations on in-person interactions.
  • The author holds the opinion that the challenge has been beneficial for mental well-being, as it encourages awe, thanks, trust, and wonder.
  • There is an appreciation expressed for the diversity of environments and perspectives offered by other participants in the challenge.
  • The author encourages readers to join the challenge in 2022, suggesting that they too could benefit from the practice of daily observation and photography.

Looking Back

Photo-A-Day Challenge 2021

When I relax into a slower pace, my mind often begins to follow, slowing down, remembering what is significant, responding in thanks, trust, and wonder. Slowing down takes practice. Christine Sine, A Reflection on Awe and Wonder ©Godspacelight.com.

Reflecting on the Photo A Day Challenge has reminded me of the purpose Dennett outlined when she started this whole thing: noticing and appreciating your environment and sharing it.

Participating in this challenge has helped me notice more and appreciate more in my own environment. I also anticipate and appreciate getting a glimpse into the variety of environments around the world offered by the other participants.

As this year comes to an end, I am looking back at my weekly collections of photos. They serve as a great highlight reel for reflection. Images can elicit feelings of awe — in the image itself or as it spurs memories of our own moments of awe. Awe increases our connection with others as do shared experiences. This challenge lead to many connections, especially as we navigate these times of limited or masked interactions.

If you could benefit from slowing down, noticing, and appreciating your environment, join the challenge in 2022!

Here are my weeks all the way back to when I joined in July. I wish I would have joined earlier.

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

Thank you to Dennett for starting this challenge in the Snapshots publication. Check out the rules in this story:

Awe
Photo A Day Challenge
Photography
Travel
Reflections
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