In 2015, I Instagrammed 365 Days of Arts and Culture. Here Are 15 Things I Learned.

One evening in December 2014, I decided my New Year’s resolution would be to put my recently-acquired master’s degree in arts and culture reporting to use when I wasn’t working. Of course, I planned to write about arts and culture in my professional life. And I’ve been very fortunate to do so. But I also wanted to explore it in my spare time, when I wasn’t sitting at my desk.

Like many millennials, I’ve developed a huge fascination with the virtual world of Instagram and my personal Instagram page over the past couple years. So it seemed only fitting that I would explore arts and culture through my phone’s camera lens, followed closely by a filter.

On January 1, 2015, my personal project, 365 Days of Arts and Culture began. It was all in good fun from the get-go, but not without challenges. Arts and culture, much like my graduate school major, covers a vast array of topics. Food, theater, fashion, paintings, festivals, and more. This allowed me a lot of freedom in my posts, most of which were based in New York City, an arts and culture capital. I have been blessed to see a lot — and snap a lot — of it. But there was no way I’d ever be able to truly soak up all this city has to offer. So what the heck would I pick with infinite possibilities?

I decided I would not promise to be an expert on any one thing. I would not even promise to see a little bit of everything. I would simply put forth effort to seek out the art, and also let the art seek me out. The only “rule” was that I had to post at least once for every single day. If I was lucky, I’d take away a few lessons from the whole experience. I’m happy to say that I did see my resolution through. And I did learn some things along the way.

1. Simply taking a photo is scratching the surface of the experience. It’s really worthwhile to try to dig deeper.

Take the above art installation in Madison Square Park, Fata Morgana. There’s no denying it looks cool in the park. But did you know it was actually inspired by the park itself? Local artist Teresita Fernández, who created it, said she wanted to address the park’s distinct walkways, rather than doing a centerpiece. Even cooler, it alludes to an actual fata morgana, which in nature is a horizontal mirage that flows along the horizon line.

So sure, a picture may say a thousand words. But to dig deeper into those words, you need some context. Why not ask, why was this play written? What is the history behind this cultural festival? What is the origin of that unique cuisine I’ve never tried before? Arts and culture are no blank slates. So you shouldn’t be either.

2. When you hit a gold mine opportunity, don’t be afraid to strike.

I had the humbling chance to interview Kerry Washington about her work in raising awareness of domestic violence and women’s rights. I was the last in a line of incredibly eager reporters snapping away at the event, held in the legendary Plaza hotel. There was the surreal blur of camera flashes. There was the stress that I had never covered anything so high-profile before. And there was the little fact that it was Kerry Washington. That alone would make any journalist wonder if they’d even be able to get their questions out.

As it turned out, I not only was able to ask my questions, I was also able to get great responses, which transformed into an article I have grown to be extremely proud of. If I had shied away, I never would have had the clip, or the pic, to prove it did indeed happen. And yes, it was glorious.

3. But even if you live in a city like New York, you’re not going to have a Kerry Washington-esque experience every day, or even every week.

4. And that’s okay. The wonderful thing about arts and culture is that you can find it just about anywhere. In your delicious udon noodles.

In a vibrant, colorful street art mural.

If you’re feeling lazy, in your nail design.

Or if you’re feeling extra lazy, the sitcom you’re hopelessly and shamelessly obsessed with.

5. But on the days you’re not feeling lazy, you can pleasantly surprise yourself by trying things that are outside of your comfort zone.

Like cycling on a stationary bike in a pool. Aqua spinning, or aqua cycling, is huge over in Europe, particularly France, but it hasn’t quite caught on in the States yet. But when I did the super-fun exercise, which has the benefits of water pressure added to the traditional cardio workout, it made me wonder why it’s not a Thing here yet.

Or Jewish-Japanese fusion food. Yes, that is matzoh ball ramen soup you’re looking at. And yes, it is as strange and delicious as it sounds. One taste and I immediately began to wonder why this isn’t more of a Thing, either.

6. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with revisiting the classics.

They’re classics for a reason, after all. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even come away from it with a new perspective if you look at it with fresh eyes.

7. Sometimes, the experience of the arts is even better when you’re not only looking at it, but also a part of it.

Though some call words art and I am a writer, I’m not really an “artist” in the traditional sense. I wouldn’t know where to start with a blank canvas or un-sculpted marble. But when the opportunity came to tap into another creative outlet, I took it. And I ended up pretty pleased with my product—a pumpkin with the “face with tears of joy” emoji painted on it!

8. Much like a face with tears of joy, arts and culture is much better when it’s shared with others.

Like when me and one of my dearest friends recreated the iconic Cher and Dionne from Clueless for Halloween.

Or when me and another one of my dearest friends had the chance to try garden variety margaritas. Sampling kale juice with tequila would definitely not be as fun alone!

Or when me and some other friends went to Sleep No More, an interactive theatrical experience where we followed Macbeth characters of our choice around a building as they ran to different rooms in a non-linear storyline, while wearing these rad masks all the way.

9. However, arts and culture is NOT whatever the heck you want it to be.

Sorry, but your sad attempt at trying to be an adult by decorating your apartment with potpourri does not qualify here. I really should have known better with this one.

10. There’s a time and place to ask, “But what does it mean?”

11. And then there’s a time and place to let the art speak for itself.

12. Everyone needs a little break from it all, to truly open up their eyes.

For me, this meant in a quite literal way. In 2015, I underwent LASIK vision correction surgery. For someone who needed glasses at age 5, contacts at age 11 and who still couldn’t see the big “E” on the wall at age 24, it was an amazingly huge life-changing moment for me. But it was also a calming moment, one that literally forced me to retreat to a dimly lit room and rest my eyes from all the excitement and exposure.

Keeping my project top of mind, I had the chance to take a break from running all over the place trying to capture as much as possible, truly absorb what I had seen so far, and awake invigorated, ready to go looking again.

13. But when you’re not looking, you might even find your happy place.

For me, that’s the Washington Mews. One of the only private alley ways in New York open to the public, the European-style buildings and cobblestone streets put me in an incredible sense of peace whenever I step inside.

14. It’s because of moments of pure bliss like that that I’ve decided to continue posting “arts and culture” on my Instagram. But I will no longer post every day. Throughout the year, I found my posts to be the most beautiful when they were not obligations. When arts and culture were not forced. When I went to it as I pleased. And more importantly, when it came to me as it pleased.

15. I don’t usually stop for subway performers. But when I do, they’re often dramatic one-man operas.