On March 17, 2014 I took the plunge and started the #100happydays project. Figuring that it would be another challenge I took on that lasted only a few days, I never expected to actually finish all 100 days, nor did I expect for the challenge to change my life.

The whole purpose of the #100happydays challenge is to find at least one thing a day that makes you happy or brings you some kind of joy, take a picture of it and post it to the social media site of your choice with the hashtag #100happydays. I decided to take the challenge after visiting their website and came to the realization that I was overlooking the little joys in life. Now, almost a year after completing all 100 days, I still see the effects of this project in my life.

The following are stages one might go through while completing the #100happydays project:

1. The First Day Picture

You've made the decision to participate. The excitement of what's to come is evident as you go around taking pictures of everything so that you have choices when it comes time to post. You look for the best picture possible, finding the perfect caption and filter for your first picture. (You'll need to pencil in an extra 10 minutes at least, 15 if you're fickle.) After the first posting, you may spend time looking at your calendar of upcoming events to see what exciting things will fall within your 100 days that you can show off to the world and brag about. You'll hover over the send button, not sure if you really want to commit to this daunting task for fear of judgment from your peers if you miss a day. After you put it out into the world, you watch it to see how many likes or favorites it gets.

2. The Adventurer Picture

Not long after this project starts, you may come to the realization that you don't lead that exciting of a life day to day. Still, caring what others are thinking about this new project of yours and not wanting to fill their feeds with boring things, you will find yourself going out and doing things that you might not normally do on the daily. You still spend too much time on your caption and you definitely avoid letting on that you aren't the avid adventurer that you've led on to be.

3. The First Lazy Day Picture

Didn't get out of bed today? That's okay. Take a picture of your drink or snack. So what if food makes you happy? Go ahead and let them judge you (Not really, please don't. Take notice of the usage of the fancy cup and mini marshmallows. You're cool and do more than just eat. You swear!)

4. The I Promise I Did Stuff But I Forgot To Take a Picture Post

You had two papers and a test to study for as well as a meeting to go to, and you barely had time to eat nonetheless do anything mindblowing. So, here's another picture of my food. Enjoy.

5.The First Time You Don't Care What Others Think

Though you are doing the project for yourself, up until this point, you have always cared to a degree what others thought about it. On this day, you post a picture of something that brought you joy that others might think is dumb or pointless. What they might say won't matter and doesn't even cross your mind. This is a turning point in this project—for everything that follows will be for you and only you. Anything negative that will be said about your posts will roll off your back as you take pride in being able to find things that make you genuinely happy. You will see a shift in your daily life as the little things start to become the big things and your life seems just a little bit brighter. Hold on to this after the project is over, and you will see your life change dramatically for the better.

6. The First Time Your Friends Ask To Be In The Happy Day

Up to this point, people have made fun of the project, but over time, your friends will start to come around. First by asking you about it, then by making suggestions about your picture, and then finally, they'll cave and ask to be a part of the project. You couldn't be happier seeing as these are the people that bring the most joy to your life.

7.The First Selfie

For some this might come much earlier on in the project. For me, it took time to start finding little joys and liking my life in order to find happiness in myself. So, post that selfie and see the wonders it does for your self-esteem.

8.The Holiday

With the 100-day time frame you are bound to have at least one holiday. Embrace it! Those are the easy days and although they aren't all that interesting, you can always spice it up with a great caption.

9.The Big Event Picture

Remember how you looked in your calendar to see what exciting things you would be doing that you could brag about? Well, the day has come and the funny thing? You could not care less what others think about it. You are doing this project for you and no one else. So, instead of posting the best pictures that make you look cool, you post the picture that was taken while you and your friend are in mid-laugh because that's what you want to remember.

10. The 100th day

You made it! All 100 days. Your life is a little bit brighter, and you are actually sad to see the last day go. You will post a picture of whatever it is that has made you smile along with a sappy message and hover over the send button putting off ending it as long as possible. Finally, you'll post it with a sense of accomplishment and nostalgia that will wash over you as you look back on all 100 days. The jerks will post something along the lines of “Finally, it's over," or “Thank God." Unlike on the first day, their words won't bother you because this was never for them.

A year later, I still see the effects of the 100 happy days project in my life. I am incredibly thankful to this challenge for all the changes that it has brought to my way of thinking and my outlook on life. I strongly suggest everyone take on this challenge if they are going through a rough patch in their lives, beginning a new chapter in their lives like college or even if they just want to see how much they have to be happy about.

What joy will your 100 happy days bring you?