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Post by mom on Jul 31, 2019 16:40:13 GMT
OMG what was I thinking? I have started going back in my PL albums and finishing anything that was left. I knew some pages missed some journaling, a photo. I didn't think it would be too bad. I was wrong. I am in my 2016 album and I thought it was about 98% done. Not so. Apparently I had the bright idea to do everything BUT all the journaling.  For 9 months, I only have decorated cards + photos in the protectors. And November and December are missing all together (though, now that I think about it...I think I have those pages in another album because this album was full. Need to check on that). I guess I should be thankful that I have all the stuff in my protectors. But I hate the journaling part (which is probably why I left it to be done later). If you ever think about doing this - save yourself. Just don't. Take the time to write out all the stories. You won't remember all the little details later. |
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,602 
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Post by Elsabelle on Jul 31, 2019 16:59:27 GMT
I feel you. I'm always surprised when I discover how many things I put off until later and then forget about. I've been working on not accumulating more than a dozen layouts that need journaling or titles.
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Post by hop2 on Jul 31, 2019 17:07:44 GMT
I don’t always journal. At all. >gasp< In fact many times I don’t journal.
Sometimes all I want is the date & event.
Sometimes because it was uneventful
Sometimes because there’s some horrible memory attached to the event that I’d rather let each person remember for themselves, if the book is still around when that’s not remembered so much the better.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jul 31, 2019 18:34:17 GMT
This is why my process is super slow. I get a card decorated and have a spot to put in words and no words come to me, so I get up and walk away. Usually a spread (depending on how many pages it is) can take me between 1 and 2 weeks to complete because I don't like the journaling. I've found that the journaling comes easier if I include notes (if the photo looks to be a generic photo, I'll often put keywords in the photo name so when I date the backs, I can add that to it as well) it helps jump start my memory. If I know what I'm wanting to talk about in the photo, then it works well. My photos from 2015-2016 are harder because I don't remember the specifics anymore...it's just one cute photo after another because I lack context.
If you find yourself troubled to figure out what to write, one thing I suggest is looking at the bulk of the photos. Sometimes I'll pick one or two in a sequence of photos that I took and looking at the entire sequence jogs my memory, but just the one or two photos I printed won't. It might also help to look on Facebook. I overshare a bit on there, but a lot of the time it's because I won't remember whatever it is we were up to if I don't treat it as a journal, of sorts...the rest of the time, I'm venting or shaking my fist at the world, lol.
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Post by lasteve1 on Jul 31, 2019 18:51:15 GMT
This won't help for going back, but I use the app Day One daily to write down what we did. I don't really have a hard time journaling in it because I don't care if it is well written or interesting, I just write down basic facts of what we did for every day. I tend to update it at least once every couple of days and fill in all of the days since the last time I updated.
Then when I am ready to create spreads I scroll through the Day One entries and use that to decide what journaling to include in my pages. This way it doesn't really matter how far behind I am, the details are written down so I won't forget them. My Day One app has an entry for nearly every day since early 2015 and it's actually really neat because when I open the app now it gives me an "on this day" prompt and shows me what I did on this date exactly one year ago, two years, etc.
Also, it just eases the writers block when I do get around to journaling the "final" words on the project that people will actually read. Sometimes I will create bullet lists of highlights from the week or will pick up on themes from reviewing the entire week in Day One (e.g. we ate out a lot, we watched a lot of movies, etc.) and use that to prompt my journaling. Sometimes for particularly busy/eventful days I will just rewrite the bulk of what was in my Day One entry onto a journaling card. Sometimes events get skipped entirely in the journaling because I can't think of anything to say that sounds good or I don't feel like journaling or it seems boring, but I don't worry about it because I know if I ever care to know exactly what we did that day I could always look in the app. Finally, I don't dread working on projects because I'm not sure how I'm going to journal because I know I can just pull details from the app if I don't feel particularly like creative writing. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,328
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Post by amom23 on Jul 31, 2019 18:59:34 GMT
Just make sure when you do journal you make it super meaningful because you need to show you are cultivating your best life through the stories you will leave behind for your family.  |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jul 31, 2019 19:21:13 GMT
Just make sure when you do journal you make it super meaningful because you need to show you are cultivating your best life through the stories you will leave behind for your family. I feel sentiments...I cannot write them. I'm an utter failure in this department because other than discussing what we're doing, meaningful words fail me. I can well up with tears because I feel proud or touched, but never ask me to put that into words because nothing will come out, lol. So I guess I'm not cultivating my best life...oh well.  |
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Post by Linda on Jul 31, 2019 19:26:52 GMT
I find FB to help with journalling previous years - I share many of my photos on FB because that's the easiest way to reach my far-flung family
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 31, 2019 19:48:08 GMT
I feel you but I am not a journaler so when I do journal it feels weird. It's not me. I wish I was, wish I had lots of cute stories.. but sadly no. I'm lucky to get the date on it.
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Post by hop2 on Jul 31, 2019 19:48:35 GMT
Just make sure when you do journal you make it super meaningful because you need to show you are cultivating your best life through the stories you will leave behind for your family. so lie? |
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Post by hop2 on Jul 31, 2019 19:53:06 GMT
I feel you but I am not a journaler so when I do journal it feels weird. It's not me. I wish I was, wish I had lots of cute stories.. but sadly no. I'm lucky to get the date on it. I journaled once about how my DS ( when he was real little ) was always looking around at something in pictures & not looking at the camera. It was on a layout about Cinderella and he was looking at her shoes. Pretty appropriate for that picture but it’s not the only picture of the top of his head that I have. Well when he was a tween he read that & he took that to mean he doesn’t look good in pictures and still says that he’s ‘always been that way’ Nah dude if you stop looking at everything else your quite cute in pictures lol So I tend to really really watch what I’m writing and end up with only the date & place |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Aug 1, 2019 0:46:31 GMT
I wouldn’t stress too much about it. If you only have 10 months it’s still 10 months documented. Most of my photos and memorabilia speak for themselves. I’m not big on telling stories so the date and identifying the people or places in the pictures is good enough generally.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 1, 2019 1:11:43 GMT
If I’m not in a journaling mood I will write down the names of the people, location where the photos were taken and date on the back of my layout. My husband’s grandmother wrote that on the back of all her photos. It’s kind of cool info to have now when we look thru her old pictures.
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Post by mom on Aug 1, 2019 2:22:24 GMT
I wouldn’t stress too much about it. If you only have 10 months it’s still 10 months documented. Most of my photos and memorabilia speak for themselves. I’m not big on telling stories so the date and identifying the people or places in the pictures is good enough generally. I've actually made lots of progress tonight. I am watching the debate and journaling as I listen. It might not be as bad as I thought. My PL layouts use a ton of photos so there aren't a bunch of blank cards on every layout. |
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Post by scrappyem on Aug 1, 2019 2:27:01 GMT
I feel you! I have gaps in every album but 2017, which I went back and filled in those gaps, so that's why it's complete. I skipped tons of Journaling in 2015/2016 because it was pretty shitty. I have notes form that time period but haven't made myself go back and fill it in. I'm not 100% sure if I will or not. Maybe some day.
I started a running list of the "gaps" in my PL albums and discovered I had done a ton of the digital work for August-Dec 2018 but I don't have any of those pictures printed or completed. I thought I'd only missed November & December. I was very, very wrong. I haven't tackled any of that yet.
For journaling, I start a new word document every month and try and make some daily notes. I just jot down a few things about what what's happening, what I'm watching/reading/into at the moment, and I try to at least write down my mood/general feelings. I wish I was more consistent because I love going back and rereading the little details. Stuff I wouldn't remember if I hadn't written it down. I use those notes to write my journaling cards. Most of the time I have more notes than what makes it in the album, which is fine. Gives me plenty to choose from. I print out those pages and stick them in the album at the end of the year so I have all those details later if I want to re-read them. When I actually manage to make the notes, it works pretty well.
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Post by mom on Aug 1, 2019 2:35:38 GMT
I feel you! I have gaps in every album but 2017, which I went back and filled in those gaps, so that's why it's complete. I skipped tons of Journaling in 2015/2016 because it was pretty shitty. I have notes form that time period but haven't made myself go back and fill it in. I'm not 100% sure if I will or not. Maybe some day. I started a running list of the "gaps" in my PL albums and discovered I had done a ton of the digital work for August-Dec 2018 but I don't have any of those pictures printed or completed. I thought I'd only missed November & December. I was very, very wrong. I haven't tackled any of that yet. For journaling, I start a new word document every month and try and make some daily notes. I just jot down a few things about what what's happening, what I'm watching/reading/into at the moment, and I try to at least write down my mood/general feelings. I wish I was more consistent because I love going back and rereading the little details. Stuff I wouldn't remember if I hadn't written it down. I use those notes to write my journaling cards. Most of the time I have more notes than what makes it in the album, which is fine. Gives me plenty to choose from. I print out those pages and stick them in the album at the end of the year so I have all those details later if I want to re-read them. When I actually manage to make the notes, it works pretty well. Thats kinda why I didn't get this album done. It was just a shitty year. I knew I had some holes but I didn't think it was this bad. Thankfully, both boys are home this week and they are helping me fill in who/what/where info. 2013 - 1/2 way done and wont be complete. I was dealing with a major depression and just didn't do the work in the album. Not going to try and go back. 2014 - done but missing spine labels & cover sheet 2015 - photos + pockets are filled. Missing journaling starting in July. 2016- working on & will get done this week. 2017 - mostly done. Needs more journaling for April-June. 2018 - done |
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Post by scrappyem on Aug 1, 2019 2:48:33 GMT
I feel you! I have gaps in every album but 2017, which I went back and filled in those gaps, so that's why it's complete. I skipped tons of Journaling in 2015/2016 because it was pretty shitty. I have notes form that time period but haven't made myself go back and fill it in. I'm not 100% sure if I will or not. Maybe some day. I started a running list of the "gaps" in my PL albums and discovered I had done a ton of the digital work for August-Dec 2018 but I don't have any of those pictures printed or completed. I thought I'd only missed November & December. I was very, very wrong. I haven't tackled any of that yet. For journaling, I start a new word document every month and try and make some daily notes. I just jot down a few things about what what's happening, what I'm watching/reading/into at the moment, and I try to at least write down my mood/general feelings. I wish I was more consistent because I love going back and rereading the little details. Stuff I wouldn't remember if I hadn't written it down. I use those notes to write my journaling cards. Most of the time I have more notes than what makes it in the album, which is fine. Gives me plenty to choose from. I print out those pages and stick them in the album at the end of the year so I have all those details later if I want to re-read them. When I actually manage to make the notes, it works pretty well. Thats kinda why I didn't get this album done. It was just a shitty year. I knew I had some holes but I didn't think it was this bad. Thankfully, both boys are home this week and they are helping me fill in who/what/where info. 2013 - 1/2 way done and wont be complete. I was dealing with a major depression and just didn't do the work in the album. Not going to try and go back. 2014 - done but missing spine labels & cover sheet 2015 - photos + pockets are filled. Missing journaling starting in July. 2016- working on & will get done this week. 2017 - mostly done. Needs more journaling for April-June. 2018 - done I feel like that is super impressive! You have so much already competed. I love that you are just letting 2013 go. That's an excellent approach. |
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by camcas on Aug 1, 2019 6:15:51 GMT
Just make sure when you do journal you make it super meaningful because you need to show you are cultivating your best life through the stories you will leave behind for your family. Hahahahahahahahahah |
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 1, 2019 12:54:05 GMT
mom Good for you! It would have been easy to just say forget it and move on.
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Post by mom on Aug 1, 2019 12:59:31 GMT
mom Good for you! It would have been easy to just say forget it and move on. Im not ruling that out just yet! Ive been trying to distract myself from dealing with my youngest moving 7 hours away to college in 13 days, so this is helping. I really just want to be able to clear all the past albums out of my desk and cabinet and have a clean surface. |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Aug 1, 2019 16:40:08 GMT
I don't usually journal. A date (month and year) and place are good enough for me.
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julie5
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Posts: 3,611
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Post by julie5 on Aug 1, 2019 18:11:45 GMT
I’ve done the same thing too mom not like an entire album but random pages here and there. Then I’ll find it when flipping through way later. Very annoying. |
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Post by joblackford on Aug 1, 2019 18:18:42 GMT
Anything is better than nothing, but if you're a completist (someone called me that recently it really resonated!) it makes sense to do what you need to to make things feel done. Even if that means writing "I have no idea why this photo was important to me" or switching out a journal card with a filler card. Getting it all put away will feel so good! Hopefully this process will help with the feelings about your son moving, or at least be a good distraction. (I use Day One too lasteve1 - I like to have it all written down somewhere, and having it searchable is a bonus) |
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Post by mom on Aug 2, 2019 1:00:18 GMT
Anything is better than nothing, but if you're a completist (someone called me that recently it really resonated!) it makes sense to do what you need to to make things feel done. Even if that means writing "I have no idea why this photo was important to me" or switching out a journal card with a filler card. Getting it all put away will feel so good! Hopefully this process will help with the feelings about your son moving, or at least be a good distraction. (I use Day One too lasteve1 - I like to have it all written down somewhere, and having it searchable is a bonus) Ha! I am definitely a completist! My kids joke that there's no way I will ever die before all my scrapbooks are completely finished. |
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artisticscrapper
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Post by artisticscrapper on Aug 2, 2019 2:34:50 GMT
Since I scrap for myself I don’t do much journaling. However, I am another completist and I’ve been known to stay up until all hours to finish a mini book.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Aug 2, 2019 9:06:55 GMT
I have the exact opposite problem right now: loads of journaling with dates and all, no photos. I really *need* to place a photo order. And edit photos. Bleh. Like joblackford and lasteve1, I use an app (Day One in the past, Journey nowadays). Major help and so easy to use in everyday life. You can fit in 30 seconds to type down the memory anywhere. It'll record your location and weather automatically as well in case you wish to add that to your records. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Aug 2, 2019 13:10:32 GMT
sleepingbooty I downloaded the journey app, we’ll see how consistent I am. That’s always my downfall. I start with good intentions and then slack off. I set my reminder so I won’t have the @i forgot” excuse.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Aug 2, 2019 13:34:57 GMT
sleepingbooty I downloaded the journey app, we’ll see how consistent I am. That’s always my downfall. I start with good intentions and then slack off. I set my reminder so I won’t have the @i forgot” excuse. A case of the New Year's Days... I set the reminder late in the evening when I first started using it because I knew it'd be easy to fill in a quick entry before bed. A couple of months in, I was good to go without the reminder. Fingers crossed! |
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Post by LisaDV on Aug 2, 2019 23:50:20 GMT
I’ve been wondering about an app for daily journaling. I’d like to dictate it. By the time I get around to scrapbooking something I forget the details. I’ll be looking at day one and journey. Thanks ladies.
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For 9 months, I only have decorated cards + photos in the protectors. And November and December are missing all together (though, now that I think about it...I think I have those pages in another album because this album was full. Need to check on that). 
