As part of our Simple Tip Saturday series, we’re inviting fresh voices into the mix. Today we’re hearing from Christine Newman with her simple tip.
What is one way you simplify scrapbooking?
I simplify scrapbooking by not doing it chronologically and just picking photos and subjects that make me happy. I just create pages as I am inspired, and I put them into albums based on when I created them. The lack of chronology doesn’t bother me at all.
What problem does it solve for you?
Scrapbooking is supposed to be fun and not stressful. Letting go of documenting EVERYTHING and in chronological order has been extremely freeing. I’ve seen people get stuck or stop scrapbooking because they’re so stressed out by the fact that they’re “behind” and can’t catch up. That seems to be counter-productive to me. Just do it because you enjoy it, not because you have to. This is a hobby, not a job. (Well, not for most of us anyway.)
Why do you think it works so well?
It works so well because now I am enjoying the process of creating instead of trying to “get it done”. When something is enjoyable, you tend to keep doing it. If it’s stressful or causes guilt, then you tend to stop doing it. I want to keep scrapbooking, so this is the way to do it for me.
How can others get started with it?
Make an appointment with yourself for two hours and just play. Use that time for yourself and create without guilt. Don’t use it to surf the internet for more inspiration. Just start creating something. You will feel wonderful afterwards and that will be the first step to doing it more.
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Exactly! You said it much better than I could, though!
Great tip Christine!
Great tip – thanks Christine!
I figured that out a few years ago, and I’ve been extremely productive ever since! I scrapbook for me. When I die, my family may or may not appreciate what I leave behind. So I scrapbook nearly everyday because I love the creative process and the constant photo reminders of my blessed life!
Spot on approach – and perfectly said!
Great reminders! We can get so caught up in just looking for inspiration, that we don’t create anything!
So great to see Christine featured here! Thanks for the great tips and the reminder to HAVE FUN!
This is just the way I scrapbook too – it’s so freeing and enjoyable. Nice to see this approach promoted here. (For those who just can’t stand the lack of chronology in albums, you can create ‘as inspired’ and file ‘by date’ – I use this approach in my ‘Celebrations’ albums where I file Christmas and Birthday layouts).