Ten Perfect Days

A while back, at one of my "Scribblers" writing group's monthly meetings, I gave out a prompt: Ten perfect days.

That was it. I kept it vague on purpose, instructing my group to interpret it however they'd like. We're all different kinds of writers in our little group - some of us write fiction (of all different genres and lengths), some nonfiction, some poetry, some memoirs, and some of us dabble in different writing ponds - so I like to give "homework assignments" and in-group prompts that will work for everyone, despite our different styles and preferences. Sometimes writers will use a prompt to help break through a block, or to try something new, and they can be used literally, metaphorically, or sarcastically, as a title/concept or as a piece of dialogue, etc. But what's always incredible is how no two pieces of writing are ever that similar, even when they've followed the same prompt. It showcases our unique talents and tastes every time, and allows us to learn from each other in different ways. We don't take our group too seriously - it's not an actual class or anything, just a bunch of local writers getting together to keep each other working on our crafts - and we don't all write a piece for every "homework" prompt, as our main goal is just to WRITE, whatever it may be.

This particular meeting, every single member wrote something. I'd given the prompt "Ten perfect days," inspired by another writer friend of mine I'd recently been chatting with. It was a phrase that came up while talking about writing, and I really loved the prompt idea, thinking I'd get to hear ten totally different versions of what "perfect" really meant to people.

I was so pleasantly surprised by the outcomes of that prompt at our next group meeting, that I still think about it all the time. So I decided to share this little story with the world, in hopes it'll bring some small joy to others in this world that seems less joyful every day.

While everyone in our group DID stick to their usual genres/styles of writing, the differences between our writing were much thinner than usual. It turned out, everyone had similar ideas of "perfect."

It was a wild feeling to go around that table and read our pieces aloud, seeing just how similar humans are at the core, and in their hearts. And the best part? NO ONE wrote that perfection would mean "being the richest person alive," or "being thinner/curvier/prettier/different looking," or "being the most successful whatever in history," or anything like that. No one let societal or cultural influences affect the "perfection" they wrote about.

Everyone's idea of perfection? Good health, good food, time spent with those they love and care most about, leisure and adventure, time spent in nature, and no stress.

The details still varied, of course. Some of us described what kinds of food were best, what good health looked like for us, what fun and no stress would entail, etc. We had a story about the best sleep and brunch buffet possible, a flash fiction comedy about snow days from school and pet penguins, a short memoir about seeing Broadway shows and visiting ice cream shops, poetry about the beauty and peace of being in the woods or near the water, and even comforting comparisons to Groundhog's Day (the movie concept). But all in all, everyone had the same ideas of what ten perfect days would FEEL like. And it left me feeling so warm and hopeful inside.

All this to say, people aren't always as different as we seem, and as passionate as people can be, most of us DO care about and want the same things at the end of the day. In a world where people seem less and less alike and united, and the sense of community that older generations once had are dwindling as fear and hatred step in, this little creative reminder that we're all HUMAN helps.

I'll wrap up this little storytelling blog post by sharing MY writing from that initial prompt and encouraging YOU to write, too (and join a writers' group while you're at it!)

10 Perfect Days

by Kate Sully

I've lived many imperfect days. Most likely, more dark days than bright and beautiful ones. But I know that even though "perfect" is subjective, there ARE perfect things, moments, and days. They exist, and more will come around. I know this, because I know that beauty and peace and perfection exist in little ways all around us, if we look for them.

For me, there are many versions of a perfect day. Some I've only dreamed or read about, and some I've lived and cherish. While debating which to write about, I began a series of interviews, curious to compare the concept of a perfect day with others.

I asked ten people what a perfect day means to them, what it might include, whatever the phrase brought to mind. I assumed this would provide ten different stories, perspectives, definitions, and dialogues. Instead, I got ten versions of the same answer.

different voices, ages, specifics, and settings, but all with the same values at the core.

I've condensed these values into a list of ten "factors of perfection."

1- self-care and relaxation

2- time spent with family and loved ones

3- traveling to new places, far and wide

4- financial stability/freedom

5- good food

6- good weather

7- time for passions and hobbies

8- good health

9- leisure, fun, and no stress

10- making memories and seizing the day

My own ideas of perfect days aligned with this list, too. It's strange, how different and divided, yet absolutely similar and connected humans are. It's quite beautiful, actually.

Perhaps the most beautiful, hopeful, perfect part of this endeavor, was that not one person answered with "there's no such thing as perfect."

Everyone came up with lists of perfect life elements with ease.

This little writing prompt gave me hope for humans and made me believe the dark days and the perfect ones might even out a little more than I thought. And I look forward to appreciating more of life's little perfections.

Later, Bookworms.

-K.S.