Today’s Inspiration: Social Media Photo a Day Challenges

If you’re seeking a bit of inspiration in your life I just might have a perfect solution: Photo-a-day challenges!

You don’t have to be an amazing photographer nor do you require impressive equipment, just anything that takes a decent photo, (like my outdated, daggy iPhone 3GS) and some imagination.

The rules are simple: Follow the daily prompt, snap, post, #hashtag and check out your fellow happy snappers and show your love! And let the love come right on back.  

Instagram is my medium of choice, however tumblr or flickr and I’m sure other social media platforms, all have communities of people clicking away everyday.

What I love most about these challenges is being inspired by people’s talent, loves, passions, lives and how it demands little of your time (though some may argue that) yet opens your eyes to the wonder that’s around us everyday. Being very present and I suppose taking time to smell the roses, as you spot photo opportunities in the most ordinary places.

There are several to choose from so this is just the ones that I’m aware of at this point in time. Please feel free to suggest any good ones you have seen or love.

Here are this month’s prompts: MARCH 2014

1) Photo a Day Challenge is the brainchild of @fatmumslim that appears to be the most popular on Instagram, it’s my top pick! #fmsphotoaday or http://fatmumslim.com.au

2) Sunny Pic Challenge comes care of @sunnymatilda and several people I follow on Instagram are keeping themselves on the go with both the #fmsphotoaday challenge and this one. For more information check out http://sunnymatilda.com

3) Fox in Flats Style Dare saunters in from @foxinflats, a gorgeous Aussie mum who in her own words “credits her two boys for the motherhood induced fashion rut that I fell into sometime between the labour ward and now”. Fancy yourself as a bit of a fashionista then check it out. For more information check out http://foxinflats.com.au

4) SA Doodle a Day is a funky doodling challenge created by Studio Ann, which I have been thinking seriously of taking up, some of the sketches featuring on Instagram are so amazing…people’s talent never ceases to amaze me. For more on this go to http://anneliescastricum.blogspot.com.au

5) Last, but not least #100 Days of Happy is a gorgeous way to find the glow in every day. It’s as simple as taking a quick pic of something that makes you happy in a moment. If this looks like you how about you take a look at http://100happydays.com

Hope you have as much fun as I have….HAPPY SNAPPING!

Yours Truly,

Amy x

21 ways to discover my bliss..

Discovering my Bliss: The Action Plan aka The Bliss List

This is the year it all happens!

Big statement, big intention and hold the expectations.

I am standing at the proverbial crossroads, as I tend to be every January, but this time it feels different as if I can’t go one more year on auto-pilot, choosing paths that exhaust my body, numb my mind, compromise my values and generally starve my soul (a little dramatic..Yes) but I haven’t felt nourished professionally or personally for many years…if ever.

Just because you are good, even highly skilled at something, doesn’t mean you should do it if the only reward is a half-decent pay check at the end of the week. While grateful for the opportunities, income and the lessons, albeit sometimes so harsh I’m left reeling, I yearn for substance, exciting and rewarding challenges, creativity, to make a difference and passion…oh I miss passion (I sometimes fear I’ve lost it altogether…and I’m only 38)

Many would argue that life isn’t all about sunshine and lollipops, skipping over rainbows feeling abundant with passion, purpose and bliss, infinite prosperity while encapsulated by love rather a bloody hard slog and “you’re lucky to find any job in this current economic climate” or “being a single parent wasn’t exactly the easy path to choose, genius!”

So as I sit at my laptop, my child happily back at school for a new year, all alone with my unemployed, passionless, chubby, slightly anxious and apprehensive self…I have a plan.

Make discovering my bliss my bliss. Not a groundbreaking concept but it could be for me.

I’m dedicating this year to creating, imagining, writing, finding, uncovering, visualizing, learning and connecting in the faith that, like a priceless dazzling treasure in a corny Indiana Jones film, at the end of this adventure it reveals itself in all its magnificent glory.
My adventure has a rough map to follow or stepping stones I instinctively feel may guide me in the right direction (even though some seem downright crazy) so here it is…in any random order as they choose to eventuate. The only rule is if it makes me truly miserable, as long as the lesson has sunk in…bail!

1) Become a professional face painter (even though I haven’t ever face painted before)
2) Start studying graphic design
3) Become a virtual assistant
4) Create and make super foods and sell at markets or businesses
5) Kiss passionately in the rain
6) Own a business named the Turquoise Cat
7) Write short stories, possibly erotica
8) Write a blog for Women in their late teens/early twenties with advice and anecdotes on what not to do from a woman who has done it all!
9) Complete Children’s Service Certificate III not necessarily because I’ll use it but because I have decided to finish everything I start
10) Be honest with myself, live my truth
11) Juice more
12) Make love to a handsome, sensual, kind man
13) Find a good meditation class
14) Blog about discovering my bliss no matter if no one else is interested…I am
15) Feel good in my skin
16) Reconnect with 3 old friends
17) Make one new friend
18) Say yes to adventure and change
19) Create a range of cards with my own designs
20) Be creative in all mediums…sketching, painting, sculpture, clay, photography, digital…take a class
21) Be pampered and be open to receiving things that nourish me

And may I be blessed with the prosperity to go on this adventure. So here I go starting here with my first blog post…
Wish me luck… xx