Patterns

This archive currently holds 11 projects that were begun in good faith and stopped honestly.

Why they stop

Ran out of time accounts for 18% of projects. Life did not leave room for it anymore.

Life changes accounts for 18% of projects.

External circumstances accounts for 9% of projects.

Got what they needed from it accounts for 9% of projects. Some projects serve their purpose without needing to finish.

Burnout accounts for 9% of projects. The most common reason: energy depleted before the work was done.

Where they stop

Significant work done: 36% of projects. Most projects make it past the idea phase. They stop after real work has been done.

Launched but later abandoned: 27% of projects. Launching does not guarantee continuation.

Nearly complete: 18% of projects. The last 10% is sometimes the hardest part to finish.

Early progress: 18% of projects.

How long they last

The average project lasted 1.5 years. 9% started and stopped within the same year, 36% lasted about a year, and 55% continued for multiple years before stopping.

Duration does not predict completion. Some projects stop after years of work.

What kind of projects

18% personal, 18% making, 18% business. The type of project does not determine whether it stops. Patterns appear across all categories.

Solo vs together

64% of projects were solo efforts. Working alone does not make stopping more likely. Both solo and collaborative projects appear here equally.

What replaced them

64% of projects were replaced by something else. 36% simply stopped, with nothing taking their place. Both are valid endings.

Visual evidence

18% of projects include images showing the work as it stopped. These are not staged photos. They are evidence of where the work actually ended.