Hi guys! Kinjal here again. This month we’re talking about creating joy on the Forever Joy blog, and filling your bucket. I’m going to admit something to you, a secret between just you and me.
Ready? Every year since 2012, I’ve committed to doing a certain well-known weekly 2-page pocket scrapbooking project. I’ve succeeded…Once.
That was in 2014. I committed this year again because not only did the designing and recording of the memories brought me so much joy, but the end result was just awesome. But even after that win, we’re already in Week 6 of the new year, and my energy and enthusiasm after completing the 2014 project has waned. Don’t get me wrong, I love scrapbooking, but not all the time. Gasp. If you’ve stopped reading, I don’t blame you!
Some weeks, I just don’t feel that love or the mojo, and generally it starts around about now, once all the energy and motivation from January has run out.. Also, life starts to pick up – January is over, a pay-cheque has come through after Christmas, in my part of the world Chinese New Year is gearing up and everyone is back to school, work and starting to go out more. We’re actually getting out of the house a lot more which can only be a good thing right?
So guess what? I’m “behind”. And it’s so easy to feel caught up in that guilt, in that worry, in all the pages and forum threads about being “behind”. We can get lost in feeling sad that we’re not doing our jobs as memory keepers. But I also know that when I’m in the right place in my head, I adore this hobby and the joy it brings me and it should never feel like a chore or something to be worried about. This year, I’m not feeling bad about not being up to date, because I’ve been weeks “behind” in 2014, and my book still got done. It’s okay!
So today, I wanted to share some tips I learnt from completing last years project, and how I am applying them to 2015 to help keep my bucket more full! Maybe you can use some of them to keep your energy going throughout the year!
Tip 1- Because it’s the most important – Forgive yourself for being “behind”:
Tip 2 – Know your minimum actions:
2. Photos must be on my hard drive in the monthly folder by the end of the month.Note: These actions have to be the absolute minimum. And they need to be so easy so that you can do them, even when you *really* don’t have time or want to. I didn’t say sorted, or chosen, or edited or culled. My photos just have to be present on my laptop so when I want to pick them I can.. For my folder setup, I have “Project Life” – “2015” – “Quarter 1”:
Tip 3 – Figure out a base template:
Tip 4 – Have some repeating elements:
Tip 5 – Use 1 kit:
If you’re like me, you have hundreds of scrapbooking kits vying for your attention, and you want to use a bit of each of them, But if you’re in a funk and need to get something done, or just want to let your photos shine, use just one kit. It will limit your choices and really help in bringing the page together as well as speeding you up. You don’t need to worry really about matching your photos with the kit because the kit will be consistent across the pockety bits, and your photos will do the rest. For my Week 2 layout, I used Mixed Tape by ForeverJoy Designs. I absolutely love this kit, the colours are just delightful! You can find it at the Lilypad:
Great article Kin Jal!
Great article Kin Jal!
I so needed this! I've only completed a year ONCE out of the last three years. Yet, I love being able to go back and see what happened in the last year, so I keep trying. I tell myself that capturing at least some of my year is better than nothing at all. Thank you for reminding me to let go of the guilt! 🙂
isn't it true that the finished product (or kinda-finished lol!) is what keeps you going?! but really- we have to keep it fun! that's why i love reading posts like kinjal's- they keep me happily on track!
isn't it true that the finished product (or kinda-finished lol!) is what keeps you going?! but really- we have to keep it fun! that's why i love reading posts like kinjal's- they keep me happily on track!
🙂
🙂