I always thought that origami can change people. I've seen it, I felt it on my folding journey. I saw that others became so much more when I fold around or teach them how to make their owns.
For some time I realized that I have some bad habits. Waking up late, wasting time doing nothing and just asking "what to do" - never answering that. Basically I got lazy and I was losing fate in me. So I asked myself: "Why not doing it on myself?" - I mean, if it can change others, it has to work on me too - and from there it all turned to a different direction.
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
I've begun to do one mini-mask out of an 9x9 cm paper square every morning to fight against bad habits. I knew it will force me to wake early - and that's how it started. I dedicated 30 days for each habit to break. Focusing only on one habit at time.
Along with my challenge, I managed to change the waking time from 10-11 am to 7 then 6 am. I fought against laziness and made 2 collections of origami tessellations and one with painted masks (besides 300 mini-masks). I crossed many fears and made my very first origami exhibit. Learned how to deal more efficiently with the struggle. Learned to be grateful for what I have and finally... I lost everything.
Right in the middle of my challenge, I did a mistake. I knew something is holding me back to the old ways, tried to break free all in once - didn't work. I lost the magic of doing origami - it became deeply painful. I was waking up late again, became lazy, lost my willing to fight and even my health. I knew I have to be positive - it's pretty hard when you see it all falling down... but I always thought "how this situation can help me? What I can learn from this? How I can use this to move forward?".
And here's where the switch came. I dedicated a month for a habit that makes me rise from a fail. What I like at this challenge is that every breaking month something unexpected happens to help me figure out how to make the habit change for good. This time it came after 20'some days, near 30 - but it worked. I re-changed everything back (it was even harder than the first time). Then I made a habit of "not quitting" - actually I did an "origami marathon" on that month.
Finally I had to remind myself to be kind. Cause everyone showed me so much kindness from all around. I wanted to make it part of me.
Last 30 days I dedicated to a habit of "looking out for people" - if one thing went wrong with my challenge.. is that I started to ignore everything around, I needed to learn how I can help others too.
For me, the mini-mask is like a reminder of "what I'm fighting for" and at the same time, a daily reward. I wake up every morning really happy cause I enjoy doing this little faces and I know - origami, really can change people.
One thing kept me positive all this time: inspiring people. That's why I posted my daily progress on my Instagram. If I can change my habits for good and become a better person, then others can too.
Right now I'm still fighting. There are only 2 months left of this challenge, follow me there to see the whole process.
