This post is part of Light Your Fire, an August 2013 blog series to help you get unstuck and ignite your passion for scrapbooking. For even more fire-starting, download our free membership sampler.
“Simplicity is the glory of expression.” – Walt Whitman
This is a short lesson, because the elements are so basic and true. There are three ideas, when observed, will free your heart and mind from the burden you carry.
These principles center on giving yourself permission, allowances, acceptance. They go beyond letting go of being “caught up” and get to the core of your insecurity.
1. It’s OK to get help
There are no rules in scrapbooking. Templates, quick pages, kits, scraplifts, books, sketches, etc. all are shortcuts to help you document your stories. There are some people who still believe this is cheating. Whom/what are you cheating on? Look for shortcuts, ask for help and do what it takes to keep it simple.
2. It’s OK to be imperfect
So you got some glue on a photo, that’s alright. Or maybe you cut a strip of paper too short. Or perhaps it just isn’t your best layout. Scrapbooking is not a fancy dog show – it’s not about parading poodles around for prizes – this is your life, your memories. Have fun, make pages and move on!
3. It’s OK to be you
So what if your style isn’t trendy. Do you love it? So what if you are the only girl with a laptop at the crop? Does it make you happy? Celebrate your unique artistry and never let the crowd get you down. YOU are here, you are learning, sharing, exploring and being the best memory keeper you can be. All the drama, all the hot products, all the cool people – none of it matters. You and your family matter.
Are you with me? Grab hold of who you are and what you need and run with it, as hard and fast as you can. Shout your truth from the rooftops and rekindle a stress-free romance with your memories.
Homework
Share one thing that stresses you out about scrapbooking.
Catching/keeping up – I still need to work on letting go of that and just focus on the stories I want to tell. Everything doesn’t need to be done or in chronological order.
My small room.