I broke this post into two because of the number of pictures involved. If you’d like to read Part One, where I discuss more about why I did the “I am” project to begin with, what this project is all about, and see days 1-11, click here.

As I said before, take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and let me know if you do a project of your own – @thenovelturtle on Instagram.

A mixed media art page with a picture of a little girl wearing a winter coat, buttoned up with the hood up. On the right edge are the words, "have fun, create joy, be kind." The background is made up of different book pages and a butterfly sticker at the bottom.

Day 12

I am kind. This one was hard to write. Not because I don’t think that I’m kind. I know I am. But because it feels conceited to say about myself.

A mixed media art page with the words "silly head" on a picture of a coin. Near the center is a line drawn picture of a girl with long pigtails peeking around the corner with a mischievous look on her face. Beside her is a sticker of a cat making a funny face. The background is made up of random book pages.

Day 13

I am quite silly a lot of the time – around people that I feel comfortable with.

A mixed media art page with the word "worthy" across the top. Three price stickers are along the bottom, crossed out with black marker. In the center are the written words "I determine my worth." The background is made up of different book pages, painty pages, and pages with numbers on them.

Day 14

I am worthy. I understand that my worth is not determined by anyone else. I determine my worth. A lesson that has taken me a long time to learn.

This is a piece of a 1950's postcard glued onto a page with holes on the left side. The photo on the postcard is of a young woman in a fancy dress and hat, posing for the picture with her hands holding her skirt out to the sides and her toe pointed out like a ballerina. The background of the postcard looks like she's standing in a kitchen, near a large fireplace.

Day 15

I am unique. I purposely made this card simple for two reasons:

1) because I am unique, but not because I have brightly colored hair or because I wear clothes that stand out in a crowd (no offense to either of those types of people. Some of my favorite people in this world have yellow, pink, and blue hair, and dress in clothing that shows their full, wonderful personalities.) For the longest time, I thought this was what made someone a unique person…their willingness to stand out in a crowd. But what I’ve found, is that a lot of these people actually don’t love to stand out any more than I do. They just like to express themselves in these ways. I personally would much rather blend into a crowd most of the time, because I’m an introverted person who enjoys observing my surroundings. I dress the way I do because I like to.

What makes me unique is me. Just me. I am unique because I am the only me there is in this world. And whether I look like everyone else, or no one else, I’m still unique. Whether I do and say all of the same things that someone else says, or I’m their complete opposite, I’m still unique.

So, my leaving this card kind of plain, is my way of reminding myself that even if I dress “plainly” compared to some people, I am still unique because of who I am.

And 2) I don’t think there’s really anything that I can add to this beautiful postcard to enhance it. =)

A mixed media art page with the word "resilient" near the middle. A sea turtle sticker is above it, looking like it's swimming up into bubbles that have been drawn around it. The background is made up of different book pages.

Day 16

I am resilient. It may take me a little longer sometimes, but I generally bounce back from things pretty well.

A mixed media art page with the words "I am Whole" along the left edge. A picture of a rainbow with flowers at each end is along the bottom. The background has the colors of the rainbow colored along the left edge and a book page with a picture of a palm tree along the right.

Day 17

I am whole. I am already complete. I don’t need any specific person or thing to complete me. The people and things that I choose to have around me enhance my journey through this thing called life in many, many ways, but I am a whole person all on my own.

A mixed media art piece that has stamped hearts and cut out paper hearts all over it. A tag near the center reads, "To: Lori, the tootsie roll queen." A sticker with a cute dog in the middle of a bunch of small hearts is below it. The background is made up of random book pages.

Day 18

I am loved. Today and every other day, simply because of who I am.

A mixed media art page with the word "grateful" along the top and the words "thank you" along the right edge. Different book pages and pictures are layered over each other. A piece of monopoly money, picture of mountains, a scene with a house, some trees, and a dog.

Day 19

I am grateful. For so many things in life. Today specifically…for sunshine, warmth, a beautiful view to look at while I’m waiting, birds, naps, and all of the people who love and support me.

A mixed media art page with the word "enough" at the bottom right. The main focal point is a paper seed packet with flowers on it and the words "In Bloom by Disaster Designs". The background has a butterfly sticker and a picture of a grassy scene.

Day 20

I am enough. Not because of what I do for anyone else, but because I exist. Even though sometimes I feel like a disaster in progress, I’m exactly who I need to be for exactly where I’m supposed to be.

A mixed media art page with the words "Once Upon a Time" in the top left corner. An owl sticker is in the bottom left. The owl is sitting on a branch, with big, adorable eyes, and is wearing an aviators cap and goggles on its head. A stack of books is along the right edge, with a feather sticker near the middle.

Day 21

I am a lover of stories. Reading them, writing them, and hearing them. I believe that reading and hearing other people’s stories helps us along the way as we create our own.

A mixed media art page with the word "free" near the center. The background is scrapbook paper that has birds, butterflies, and a couple of open birdcages on it. A picture of a small bird is at the bottom corner, stretching out like it's happily singing a song.

Day 22

I am free. Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck. But I’m only truly stuck if I don’t allow myself to see the reality that I am free to move and change direction whenever I choose/need to.

A mixed media art page with the words "Once you choose hope, anything's possible. - Christopher Reeve" across the bottom. A picture of a flower growing out of bare rocks is in the center. At the top is a line drawn picture of a mountain with the sun peeking around it.

Day 23

I am hopeful. Because I know that there are good things in the world. Because I know that there are good people in the world. And because I know that hard times don’t last forever.

A mixed media art page with the words "I am chill" near the center. The background is made up of random book pages, with a picture of a palm tree and a turtle sticker in the forefront.

Day 24

I am easy going. By nature, I am an easy-going person. But I finally learned that just because I’m easy going, doesn’t mean that I also have to be a doormat.

A mixed media art piece that has the words "perfectly imperfect" diagonally across the page. The background is made up of different patterned pages and a tree sticker.

Day 25

I am perfectly imperfect. I learned a long time ago that perfection is an illusion. Especially considering everyone’s idea of perfection is completely different. But on days when I find myself still trying to grasp that illusion, I tell myself that I am absolutely perfect at one thing…being imperfect.

A mixed media art piece with the words "never alone" in the top right corner. A picture of five women, all different ages, is the main focal point. The background is made up of random recipe cards, scrapbooking pages, and pattern tissue paper.

Day 26

I am never alone. To clarify, I’m actually alone quite a bit. I’m a true introvert who needs alone time to recharge my battery. But even when I’m physically alone, I know that I’m not alone in this world. I know that I’m not alone in the things I’m going through and feeling. I know that I am supported by all of those who care about me. I know that I am connected to beautiful people and beautiful things. It may take some time to come back to this fact (depending on the situation), but it’s one that I always do come back to.

A mixed media art piece with the words "find magic" in the center, the word "dream" in the top right corner, and the word "reality" in the bottom left corner. A map page, black and white doodles, and a dreamcatcher sticker make up the background.

Day 27

I am committed to finding magic. Even when things aren’t exactly how I want them to be, even while I’m still dreaming and planning and trying to bring those dreams into reality, there’s magic to be found. And if I can’t find the magic…I’ll create it.

A mixed media art piece with a hand drawn flower and the words "redefining progress" along the right side. Different book pages make up the background.

Day 28

I am redefining my definition of the word progress. Sometimes things move more slowly, for a variety of reasons, and that’s ok. Even if I’m taking smaller steps, or even no steps for a bit, I’m still doing exactly what I’m supposed to in this moment. There’s power in the pause.

A mixed media art piece with a flower, a bumblebee, and some designs in the background. The word "Inspired" is at the top right corner.

Day 29

I am inspired. By nature, happy mail, books, dreams, random quotes, and by seeing the creativity of others in all of the ways that it shows up.

Day 30

I am ME. With all of my strengths and all of my flaws. I am working each and every day to become a more and more authentic version of myself while giving myself grace along the way and remembering that I’m human.

Some of these pictures are more recent, and some of them are from years ago, but all of them show a piece of the whole. A piece of my personality, a snapshot of an accomplishment or a special moment, and/or things that I enjoy doing. Even though these are different time periods, these are all me through and through.

Over the years, I’ve tried being like other people and it never works because I am me and that’s the only person that I can genuinely be. It’s not always easy, and sometimes it’s downright scary, but I believe that in the end, it makes all the difference.

Thank you for being you, and for being here! Your being here matters a great deal more than you might ever know.