21 days: the storytelling challenge

This 21-day challenge helps build the habit of writing stories, enhance creativity, and make positive changes through daily storytelling tasks.

Duration: 21 days. The writing time is to be determined individually by each participant.

Difficulty level: 2/5

Preparation

• Prepare a list of 21 thematic tasks, or use our suggested topics. You can incorporate quotes or visual aids such as photographs or images.

• If possible, provide participants with notebooks specifically dedicated to this exercise.

• To ensure the tasks are delivered effectively, discuss with participants which method would be most comfortable for them:

• A printed list of tasks

• An email group with scheduled automatic reminders

• A group on a social media or communication platform of their choice.

Instructions

• Inform participants that they are being invited on a 21-day journey of storytelling. The goal of the exercise is to inspire them to create stories based on a given topic through short daily exercises. The challenge lasts for 21 days, the minimum amount of time needed to introduce lasting change in life. Each day, participants will complete one task designed to stimulate the creation of a story. It’s important that the story is written down.

• Provide participants with the following rules to support them in completing the challenge:

  • Write intuitively – don’t overanalyze, just start writing.

  • Consistency is key – write every day (even just one sentence), don’t postpone it.

  • Images and photos – examine them carefully. What associations, memories, or emotions do they evoke? Do they stir any physical sensations?

  • Quotes and sentences – read them mindfully. What do they mean to you? Are they connected to your experiences or thoughts?

  • Reflection – consider why this particular image or quote has appeared in your challenge today.

  • Fiction or reality – you may write personal stories or completely fictional ones, as long as they have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

  • Use the "Hero's Journey" framework – this will add depth and structure to your stories.

  • After each task, write a brief note: How did you feel while writing? What emotions or reflections surfaced? Did anything surprise you?

  • Most importantly: Enjoy the process and discover the power of storytelling!

Helpful tips

This challenge can be conducted in a workshop format (live) or online – through email or group chats. Both formats offer opportunities for inspiration, reflection, and sharing experiences at a personalized pace.

Wrap-up

• After 21 days, ask participants about their experience. 

  • Did they gain confidence in their writing? 

  • Did they discover whether they preferred working with photos or quotes? 

  • How did the challenge impact them?

• Encourage participants to share selected stories and highlight the diversity of responses – the same prompt can inspire completely different stories.

• Remind them that the goal of the challenge was to establish a writing habit and experience positive changes. 21 days is the first step toward transformation – and their storytelling journey can continue!