Scrapping + Me = Happy
Happy Monday. Today, I’m all about happiness. I’m thrilled to be participating in a happiness-themed blog hop thanks to the wonderful Stephanie over at Scrapworthy Lives. If you have hopped on over from My Life in Photos & Words, WELCOME. And if you didn't, well WELCOME to you too!
There are a handful of things in my life that I can say hands-down, unequivocally make me happy. Some are obvious: my kids, my husband, sunshine, pedicures and ice cream. Those things never fail to bring a smile to my face. They make me happy.
But there’s one that might not seem so obvious to everyone – scrapbooking. To others it seems like a chore, but to me it’s my happy time. Telling my stories, committing my memories to paper and preserving my family’s history make me happy. I thoroughly enjoy scrapbooking in a way most people don’t understand. I don’t feel like my day is complete unless I’ve created a page, which means I usually scrapbook every, single day.
I know … you think I’m nuts or at the very least not being completely honest. Well, you’re right. There have been times along my journey to a once-a-day-scrapper where I’ve questioned my sanity; when I’ve felt inadequate; or I’ve wanted to quit. But I came up with a few ways to pull myself out of despair and focus on the happy.
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| My very first digital layout |
1. Do what feels good. I used to be a paper scrapper. I thought that’s what I had to do because that’s what all my friends were doing. I bought oodles and oodles of supplies. I even launched my own online scrapbooking kit club. But really, when I sat down to paper scrap it didn’t bring me joy. It stressed me out. I didn’t like the process. I never finished a lot of pages. My layouts always felt mediocre at best. And then one day I discovered digital scrapbooking and it just clicked. I spend so much time at a computer. I use a computer and design software in my work. Being on a computer feels natural to me, so digi scrapping does as well. As soon as I created my first digi page, I felt free. Going completely digital made me feel more creative; and in absolutely everything I did I felt more powerful, more artistic and more willing to take chances. I’ve started art journaling. I’ve been making mixed-media collages. And of course I scrap. I never, ever did any of those things before, but the confidence of finding my niche has oozed over into aspect of of my life.
2. Take a class. Worried you don’t know what you’re doing? Or you just feel like you’re in a rut? I always seem to get my happy back once I take a class. There are all sorts of great online classes out there where you can learn a new technique, get the push you need or connect with like-minded folks. One of my favorite reasons for taking online classes are the forums and galleries. I love connecting with other scrappers and appreciate all the feedback I get from them. Who doesn’t love some wonderful comments on a layout you poured your heart into? It’s an instant ego booster.
3. Stop obsessing over what everyone else is doing. I know. I look at all the galleries too. It’s easy to feel bad about yourself if you’re constantly comparing yourself to others. But here’s the thing: you’re you and that’s what makes you great. I’m me, I make my pages for me and I tell my story … no one else can do that. And when I stop worrying about how good everyone else is, I allow myself to create pages that matter to me. So what if everyone else is on a creative team and you’re not. So what if everyone else is featured at Gallery Standouts. So what. Be real. Be you. And be happy. That’s what matters, right?
To enter the giveaway from Scrapworty Lives, be sure to comment below! You can earn one entry per blog. So that means if you visit everyone’s blog and comment on each of their blogs, you can get 14 entries! All entries must be posted by Friday, June 3 at midnight Central Standard Time (Chicago, IL, USA). Stephanie will ship anywhere in the world. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 5 on Scrapworthy Lives.
You'll also be entered to win a special prize from me: a big, fat box of scrapping goodies. I have lots and lots of yummy supplies left over from my paper and kit club days. That's two chances to win! That's happy news, right?
Now: Hop on over to Fun Mama and get some more happy.If you're lost (on the hop) and need to find your way, here's a list of all the participating blogs:
Scrapworthy Lives
1200 Some Miles
Take a Picture and Remember This
Scrap Your Life
My Life in Photos & Words
This Kalil Life
Fun Mama
Scrapping Mojo
XNomad’s Blog
Nuggets
The Constant Scrapper
Pie for Breakfast
Scraps & Sass
Abstracts Mixed with Extracts