1. Write a eulogy for something that’s gone.
Think of something you’ve recently thrown out, given away, broken or lost. Write a eulogy in memory of the parted item. It can be for anything. Maybe it was something very special to you or maybe it was something you barely knew. Either way, it should be honest and heartfelt.
2. Make a family.
Collect objects around your home that seem related to each other. They do not have to be pieces from a set; their relationship is up to you. The family can be large or small but the objects must be un-altered, as they exist in your home. Take a photo of the family inside and outside.
3. Build the ultimate fort.
Construct a fortress in your home or someone else’s. Make it the best fort you can and set it up with all the essential “fort supplies”. Make it out of anything you have available. It is an important fortress so no material is off-limits. When you are finished take a photo of the fort and one of yourself in it. Be sure to include an explanation of your fortress plan as well as your most honest opinion on what the best fort-building supplies are.
4. Hunt your neighborhood.
Search your neighborhood and other commonly ventured places in your life for a rare and exciting treasure. It can be anything as long as you truly regard it as treasure. Document your search and moment of discovery. Once you have found the treasure take it home with you and give it a place in your home. Take a photo of it in it’s new home.
5. Give yourself a gift.
Think of what you would love the most. It can bee anything you want, it doesn’t have to be a physical object or even something that’s possible to get. Once you have thought of what you really love try to make it out of what you have around. You can use paper, tape, pens and glue. Whatever it is supposed to look like is up to you so use what you feel is necessary. Once you have created the thing you would love the most wrap it up as though it was real and you could give it to your self. Be sure to photograph it before and after you wrap it and include an explanation of what it is and why you would love it. Once you have wrapped it up, save it. Find a place to keep it until you feel the time is right to open it.
6. Recall a childhood story that made you very sad.
It can be a story from a book you remember, a story told to you at bedtime or a song. It can be any type of story as long as it is not from a TV show or a movie. Tell the story (if it would not be well known) and explain why it made you sad (anything specific) and when you heard it. Try to remember a significant object or place from the story, something you used to imagine. Draw or build it as close to your memory as possible. Take a photo and explain what it is.
7. Make a scary mask.
Think of the creature you found most scary as a child, something that really frightened you. Make a mask of it as real and as scary as you remember it. Explain why you were so scared and how old you were. Once you have finished the mask put it on and take a photo of yourself in the mirror.
8. Stage an outdoor gathering to celebrate an everyday event.
Organize a gathering spot in an outside public space and make formal invitations to give out. It can be for anything you like as long as you are celebrating something that happens regularly. Find the perfect outdoor public setting (not in someone’s yard) and throw a party. Document the invitations and the party with photos and explain what the event is for.
9. Make a meal for someone.
Make a meal for someone who will not be able to attend. Maybe it is for someone who lives far away, someone who has died, someone you don’t talk to anymore or someone who is just out of town. Prepare a meal specifically for them as you would if they were actually joining you. Think about what you would do. Would you wear something special? What meal would be appropriate? Would you eat at the table? Photo document and list all your choices. You can eat the meal alone or with company so long as you still accommodate the absent guest with a serving. When the meal is over pack up your guest’s uneaten food and save it to eat another day.
10. Make a list of all the things you love about someone.
This can be for anyone you care about and the list can be as long or as short as you like. Once you have made the list find a place to hide it that you know that person will eventually find it, weather it will be later that day or in a year. Take a photo of the list and the hiding spot. With the photo, include a copy of your list and explain who it is for and where you chose to hide it.
11. Describe what you do to get to sleep when you are restless.
Think about the times when you can’t get to sleep and you really need to. What do you do? Describe your method(s) of getting yourself to sleep and include any illustrations or diagrams if it helps.
12. Explain a habit you consciously decided to change.
It could be something you stopped doing altogether or something you just decided to do differently. Write about what it was and include any drawings or pictures if necessary.
13. Convert a portion of your home into a play set.
Turn any area in your home into a set for a play. It does not have to be for a real play but you should set up enough seating to accommodate a small audience. Take a photo of the area you’ve created.
14. Pack a suitcase five years in advance.
Think about what possessions you have right now and which ones you think you will still need in five years. Pack a suitcase with everything you think you will still need. Try so be selective. Take a photo of everything you decide to pack.
15. Spend a day being genuinely interested and concerned.
Try not to talk about yourself unless it is necessary. Try not to be overly curious, just pay attention to what other people are saying and defiantly do not complain about anything. At the end of the day before you go to bed make a list of all the things you wanted to say.
