A7
Full Member
Posts: 344
Aug 12, 2021 8:12:32 GMT
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Post by A7 on Jan 9, 2024 14:12:17 GMT
Hi,
I've always loved scrapbooking. I started in 2000. I love photography, writing, stationary, etc. Perfect hobby.
The problem is, I'm too much of a perfectionist to do anything with my supplies. When I do, things don't end up like I'd like it. I end up frustrated. I start many projects and don't finish them.
I have C-PTSD and maybe AdHd too (I was told it goes hand in hand) so maybe it'll get better and I will regret selling everything.
Right now though, I'm feeling if I have not much to show for my 20+ years of scrapbooking, it's just not worth my money, my energy and my real estate - none of which I have much of.
I have invested so much though. Still, I do not want to fall into the sunken cost fallacy. And yet, I have read about so many people who regretted getting rid of everything that I'm torn.
Do you know of anyone who didn't regret selling their stash and tools? Obviously they're unlikely to be on a scrapbooking message board, but maybe someone who moved to digital scrapbooking?
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,200
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jan 9, 2024 14:37:37 GMT
I have never completed a scrapbook project. I am enjoying the heck out of cardmaking. The unfinished projects and any part of my stash that's not conducive to cardmaking is tucked away to see if I ever get brave enough to dig into at some point.
I don't know if that would be enough to deactivate your perfectionism, though. The projects are certainly smaller, so the stakes are lower, so maybe?
Or you could try keeping tools and equipment and only your most favorite supplies? Just set them aside in a quiet corner and see how you feel in a few years?
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Post by Linda on Jan 9, 2024 14:40:37 GMT
Does it have to be all or nothing? Can you set aside a certain amount of space or a container and save your favourite parts of stash and tools before selling/donating the rest? I suspect that if you do return to scrapbooking or move to cardmaking, you'll want to freshen up your stash with some newer items. I also suspect that if in a year or two, you haven't touched or considered using what remains of your stash, it might be easier to make a final decision about it.
(((Hugs))) it can be hard to decide that a beloved hobby is no longer right for you.
On the other hand, feel free to jump in here if you want to give it one last try - everyone here is really friendly and supportive.
Finally - posting this on NSBR may net you a few more people who have sold/donated their stash.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,460
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Jan 9, 2024 14:52:32 GMT
Do other people need to see your layouts? Maybe if it's just for you, it doesn't have to be perfect. I didn't scrap for over a year, and it felt like I was done, I thought several times about giving away all my stuff and then something somewhere made me sit at my desk and the mojo returned. I still haven't finished December Daily 2011... or an about me album from a class from 2010, which is why I rarely do big projects I currently have a Disney album for my kids (I didn't go on the trip) on my desk and am not very motivated to work on it. Maybe you just aren't a big project person either. Just my two cents.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,789
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Jan 9, 2024 15:14:04 GMT
I really struggled finding my style and making projects that I love until I found Shimelle. I started watching her videos in 2017 and my scrapbooking style completely changed, for the better! I started loving my layouts, joined a Design Team, and I fell in love with the hobby all over again.
Maybe do some hunting around YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram and find a few designers you like and copy their pages? See if you like the end result and if you need to shake up your scrapbooking style. I thought I was a clean and simple scrapper with lots of white space, perfectly even photos, and little embellishments. It turns out, I LOVE all the things on my layouts! Layering, tags, stamping, stitching, clusters... I love it all. Finding my style really helped me get back into the groove of scrapbooking.
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Post by hoopsfn on Jan 9, 2024 15:48:53 GMT
So sorry you're going through this @a7. I think it would be a shame for you to give up entirely. Maybe if you keep trying different pieces of paper by following a sketch from someone who's work you admire something will click for you. Just keep moving stuff around til something strikes you. I would never complete anything if I tried to be perfect but I understand how it can be a real struggle for you. And it's OK if your project isn't completed. We all have those!
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Post by scrapcat on Jan 9, 2024 16:35:05 GMT
You say you love it, but sounds like you are listening to your head/reasoning instead of heart?
Can you try not to think too much about the finished project or output, and focus on what you enjoy about the process?
I understand if it's a matter of adjusting for time, space or funds. Maybe try some different things before getting rid of it all? What about art journaling?
You can def clear out the replaceable type things, like if you have old/unused paper, stamps, inks, stickers, etc. But I would not get rid of things like tools (esp machines/replacement parts) until you are very sure you are done.
My scrapbooking has gone in waves and at one time I was solely a digital scrapper for a couple years during a difficult time and moving phase. I am glad I didn't get rid of it all because I went back to paper scrapping.
Why don't you try doing some digi scrapping first to see if you like it? Canva is a great free tool to use to try.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 9, 2024 17:12:09 GMT
Ok, so I've been through this process. (Not the perfectionism part) But, we went through a really hard time during the last recession. We lost everything, including our 2600 square foot house. We moved into a 900 sq ft rental. I had to downsize. I sold everything and I felt no emotional attachment to it. I did not scrapbook at all in 2009 and 2010. My life was a shambles and I just didn't feel like any of it. But in 2011, I met Jeremy and life started to improve and I wanted to scrap again. However, we were 4 full time + 3 part time people living in 900 square feet so taking up room was a no go. I went digital. All my 2011-2014 photos are digitally scrapped. In 2016, I decided I missed the paper and we had bought our current house and I had just a bit of space. So I went back to paper. When I did so, I regretted selling my tools. That's it. The paper and embellishments I did not miss. It did not hurt me to buy more, current things. But especially I wished I had saved my trimmer. I had that huge MM ones with the self-sharpening rotary cutter. I loved that thing. I also had to buy some scissors/a couple of punches/a paper piercer (I had that awesome Lil Davis one with the small, thick pad back in the day)/a new mini Xyron/a new ATG gun (but I reentered scrapbooking with just disposable adhesives) and I was going to buy the circle cutting system from CM but mikklynn generously sent me hers that she wasn't using. Those things were the only things I regretted getting rid of. Mostly that damn trimmer. Everything else was easy to replace.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jan 9, 2024 17:37:06 GMT
I was in your shoes. Nothing of mine looked right even when I followed a sketched design. I had a hard time using embellishments and ephemera, but other people's using the exact same stuff looked great.
Then I switched to digi scrapbooking. I loved it. I could tweak things as much as I wanted. Re-size, no problem. Change the color, no problem. I donated most of all my 12x12 paper and kept all the tools, stamps, alpha dies (QK's) and started making cards. This was back in 2009 2010-ish. I don't miss paper scrapping at all.
I gone back and forth with many different hobbies over the years. One thing I've learned is to not get rid of it if you have room to store it.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Jan 9, 2024 18:26:06 GMT
As a fellow perfectionist, I suggest a different approach/mindset. Scrapbooking is a hobby, your "perfect hobby," so enjoy & have fun with it rather than be concerned about "not much to show for my 20+ years of scrapbooking." I exclusively scrapbook & choose not to participate in classes/design teams/crops/retreats/conventions, create gift albums/cards/special projects (e.g. One Little Word, Day/Week in the Life, December Daily/Journal Your Christmas), or have any actual deadlines. Due to my perfectionist tendencies, I'm a painstakingly S-L-O-W scrapper who will rework & quit/restart as much as necessary to be completely satisfied with each step in the process. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to complete a layout & I'm woefully behind but content with the end results (& never redo a completed layout). It's not a marathon &, like with everything, interest in hobbies ebbs & flows. HTH.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 9, 2024 18:34:22 GMT
Do you ever go back and look at those "imperfect" layouts later? I often find I like them. Stick them in album or box and move on. If you just enjoy playing with paper, as most of us do, just complete a layout and tuck it away. Keep going!
If it's not bringin you joy, maybe get rid of some things, but keep the basics.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 2, 2024 2:27:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2024 19:39:23 GMT
The measure you use to determine success for a hobby should be specific to you. There’s nothing wrong with adjusting spending (and resultingly space) to match pace but your measure for success should include whether a hobby is enjoyable, meaningful, a creative outlet, etc.
I left the hobby for a long time and returned after pursuing other goals. I found my stash featured product from designers who were no longer my favorites. I replaced my electronic cutter because technology advanced. I bought a few embellishments I missed after purging from eBay and Etsy. The only other things I replaced were various tools for improved versions.
Adjusting your hobbies to make them a better fit over time is a smart move. If self-directed classes work for you you might want to check out Plan, Prep, Play from Ali Edward’s site. There’s a promo code on her site that will make the class under $20.
I’m not affiliated in any way but I have challenges similar to those discussed in this thread. Like you, I knew I loved playing with paper and I knew my motivation was waning. This class has helped me get a better understanding of why I create and how to fulfill that need. Maybe sussing out your purpose for the hobby will help with perfectionism? It might give you a better gauge than the appearance of the finished product for determining when something is done.
The planning features are also useful outside of paper hobbies and I feel they’re broken down in a way that’s accessible.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jan 9, 2024 20:08:37 GMT
Scrapbooking is my passion and along with reading books......my two favorite things to do. It will always be a part of my life.
Life isn't perfect. Scrapbooking doesn't have to be perfect. Scrapbooking is whatever you want to to be. There is no right or wrong in scrapbooking. There are so many different styles of scrapbooking. It's >> to each, their own.
To be honest, my time spent scrapbooking....ebbs and flows, and is never steady. I will scrapbook daily for a month or more, then not touch it for a few months.
If you feel like you might regret, getting rid of it all. Box it up, and store it away. It will always there waiting for you, if you miss it.
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Post by epeanymous on Jan 9, 2024 21:18:30 GMT
I'm not a perfectionist, but I am super busy, and what I have found is that I am much better about finishing small themed books (vacation, holiday) than larger projects. Maybe try a focused minibook and see if that resonates more?
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,605
Jun 28, 2014 21:14:36 GMT
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Post by kitbop on Jan 9, 2024 21:58:21 GMT
I'm so sorry that a hobby that you enjoyed is causing you grief as well!
I don't feel I can give you advice as how I feel about my things will be very different from how you feel! I love having my supplies, even when I'm not using them. I agree with 2 things posted above: - don't get rid of everything; start with things that are easy to replace like paper - Shimelle really is good at discouraging perfectionism.
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Post by joblackford on Jan 10, 2024 0:18:57 GMT
I love photography and writing and pretty paper, and I love keeping track of my life and making photo albums, so I should love scrapbooking, right? But I don't. I used to make pages with patterned paper and stamped or stickered titles and all that but they just sit in albums unlooked at and making me feel kind of embarrassed. Embarrassed might not be the right word, it sounds dumb when I say that, but they don't make me feel proud and happy, and I don't generally want to show them off. When people do look at them they don't care about all the scrapbook stuff anyway, they want the picture and maybe the story. They take up a ton of space I odn't have, and when I look back at them I usually want to re-do them. Eventually I discovered that small photobooks are much more my jam. I can load them with tons of photos, just a few embellishments, long stories if I want, or just a few captions. They're easy to make and easy to share (I print extra copies of certain books to give for Xmas). I have turned quite a few of my old albums into photobooks that I like better. I did donate or pass along a lot of my stuff but I didn't really have a lot. I transitioned from 12x12 through Project Life into cardmaking, so I used a lot of it up over the years. I find cardmaking gives me the pretty-paper hands-on crafty thing I like and, because I donate most of my cards, they're gone before I can start getting too critical of them. Cards feel more purposeful to me too. Digital scrapping has a few downsides, of course. You can endlessly tweak a layout so perfectionism might mean you never feel like anything ever gets finished. But it's just data so no harm done. Some people also struggle to get a whole project done so they never actually see their pages printed out in an album. You could have pages printed though. And of course it can feel like work instead of play. Tagging AussieMeg who I believe has not regretted going digital and destashing her paper supplies.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,427
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 10, 2024 0:30:34 GMT
I’ve struggled to scrapbook ever since we moved halfway across the USA 7+ years ago. It took time to set up my craft room (over a year). We’ve had lots of challenges that kind of knocked me down so hard that I have really struggled, even to do the things I enjoy. I love scrapbooking, but can’t seem to scrapbook anymore. I still have hope to get back to it. I have a huge stash and plenty of fun stamps, dies, papers, and more, but I can’t seem to get my act together enough to scrapbook.
So I make cards. They are small projects. There isn’t the need for perfection IMO, since I’m not trying to make the perfect layout with my treasured photos. It’s a good outlet, and I can do it in little bits of time here and there. It’s also helpful to have a stash of cards when I need one and didn’t plan ahead. My pretty papers and fun tools still get used.
And someday, hopefully sooner than later, I will get back to scrapbooking.
For the record, I tried digital scrapbooking, but I really didn’t enjoy it. I’m more than tech savvy enough, but I like playing with pretty papers, stamps, and dies.
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Post by mehardy on Jan 10, 2024 1:05:25 GMT
As a fellow perfectionist, I feel your pain. The question is.....why did YOU start scrapbooking. And why do YOU want to scrapbook? Not why you should, not why someone else thinks it's important, what is it YOU want?
For me, I want to be able to see pictures of trips, places I love, things I love, people I love, and the happy, fun, silly time. My pets, My passions. I don't want my photos stuck in a phone, hard drive, or box where all the memories can be forgotten. but that's ME. Am I I behind. OMG you have no idea.
For some projects I use a deadline, it might be a really long one - like a year plus. But the closer I get to the edit makes me want to finish - even if it's not perfect. Other project I work on in chunks - 1/4 here, a 1/3 there.
The other thing, for me, is deciding what I want to accomplish and not letting what others are doing or sharing influence me in a negative way. (Mening I love some of the elborate, super interactive pages/books/layouts. I think they are amazing! BUT I've learned, no matter how cool I think they are, they are NOT me. No matter how much I admire them, trying to do them for me is exhausting, too time consuming, and just for me is honestly not fun. So I've eliminated that from my scrapping, even though I still really love looking a them and admiring them. )
It's ultimately up to you, but I think taking some time to figure out you what and why might give you your answer.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jan 10, 2024 2:20:55 GMT
I really struggled finding my style and making projects that I love until I found Shimelle. I started watching her videos in 2017 and my scrapbooking style completely changed, for the better! Ah right, that's interesting..... so when I credit Craftymom101 for helping me find the style I love, I should really be thanking Shimelle! Tagging AussieMeg who I believe has not regretted going digital and destashing her paper supplies. You are correct! Well partially........ Despite not paper scrapping for about ten years now, I still haven't completely destashed. I have got rid of most of my supplies, but I have not got rid of a single piece of paper! I am slowly going through them and photographing all of my favourites so I can use them as digital paper, then I will get rid of them. I also have a shit-ton of Bazzill cardstock. I actually used some the a couple of weeks ago, to print out a gift certificate! I LOVE digital scrapbooking. I could bang on for ages about all the pros to digital, but I won't bore you. Every now and then I miss "getting my hands dirty" but overall, I much prefer digital.
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A7
Full Member
Posts: 344
Aug 12, 2021 8:12:32 GMT
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Post by A7 on Jan 10, 2024 5:36:12 GMT
Thank you so much for your input. I probably should have specified that the perfectionism is not so much about design but journaling - though it also is, because I have eyesight problems and can't cut straight, for example. I know it's ridiculous because it doesn't have to be deep stories, but I do struggle with opening up. I could focus on doing a pretty page, but scrapbooking has always been about telling stories for me. I do genuinely liked scrapbooking. I really like my paper supplies. Just having it and looking at it was enough until now. But after twenty years, my Kallax furniture keep reminding me that I should be doing something with my huge stash. It's been a long process for me to even consider getting rid of all of it, but it's not like it's any more useful now. Frustration has been taking over and I can't ignore it anymore. Maybe paring down would help. I did go digital for a while and the perfectionism is tamed because I can change the journaling as often as I like or get back to previous steps if I don't like what has been done. I usually follow through on my projects. It's good to finish things. It does not feel like scrapbooking though. I'll think about all your suggestions for a few days. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your point of views and advice with me. Food for thoughts for sure.
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Post by lg on Jan 10, 2024 6:41:41 GMT
A7 I HATE writing my journaling as I think it detracts from my pages so I type it and print it instead. This helped my perfectionist tendencies and made me enjoy flipping back through my albums WAY more as I wasn’t distracted by my “chicken scratch” handwriting. I hate wonky edges so a got a fiskars procision cutter with self sharpening blades - no fuzzy edges and razor sharp edges for four years and counting now. And I think maybe downsizing and concentrating on one or two smaller projects a year might help - I love week in the life (I use my own stuff and only a 3x8 album) and the “pieces of ___” notebooks from Ali edwards as there are seven prompts or stories and that’s it for each project. So in total I could do only 14 small layouts a year and be happy and feel great as I have two complete projects 😁
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paget
Drama Llama
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Jan 10, 2024 13:07:20 GMT
I was a huge scrapper for years and then a few changes happened that led me to not scrapping for about 14 years. I kept my things - sometimes they were used for kids school projects. About 3 years ago, circumstances had changed in my life and I really wanted to play with supplies and document memories again but not in the same way I did 15 year prior. I stumbled upon memory planning (Heidi swapp style) and found that a perfect entryway back into scrapping for me. I was doing mini pages that didn’t have to look like my pages before (I used to have published pages in scrap mags occasionally). It felt no pressure and low risk for reentry. As the year went on I realized I wanted to do more and I evolved I to project life style albums for more space and then added more projects like week in the life and December daily. I am so glad I came back to scrapping- but I always thought I would. I didn’t ever stop loving it, my life just wasn’t right for it for a long period. Maybe a smaller canvas like memory planner with less preconceived ideas (to you) about how it should look might be helpful? And it could help build you scrap confidence. And if not, that’s ok too. Like others mentioned, if you come back to it you were likely want to buy new things! I agree with keeping tools - I’ve been very glad to have things like that when I came back. It could also help with journaling issues- recording everyday basic stories about what you did and then it can grow into thoughts about those things if you want it to.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jan 10, 2024 16:00:14 GMT
Ah yes, the dreaded journaling. A place name and date is good enough journaling for me. Both for digi or paper.
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A7
Full Member
Posts: 344
Aug 12, 2021 8:12:32 GMT
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Post by A7 on Jan 10, 2024 16:48:26 GMT
Ah yes, the dreaded journaling. A place name and date is good enough journaling for me. Both for digi or paper. I'm leaning towards this. Just facts. 🙂
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 10, 2024 17:13:16 GMT
I’ve struggled to scrapbook ever since we moved halfway across the USA 7+ years ago. It took time to set up my craft room (over a year). We’ve had lots of challenges that kind of knocked me down so hard that I have really struggled, even to do the things I enjoy. I love scrapbooking, but can’t seem to scrapbook anymore. I still have hope to get back to it. I have a huge stash and plenty of fun stamps, dies, papers, and more, but I can’t seem to get my act together enough to scrapbook. So I make cards. They are small projects. There isn’t the need for perfection IMO, since I’m not trying to make the perfect layout with my treasured photos. It’s a good outlet, and I can do it in little bits of time here and there. It’s also helpful to have a stash of cards when I need one and didn’t plan ahead. My pretty papers and fun tools still get used. And someday, hopefully sooner than later, I will get back to scrapbooking. For the record, I tried digital scrapbooking, but I really didn’t enjoy it. I’m more than tech savvy enough, but I like playing with pretty papers, stamps, and dies. I'm having the most fun working with 8x8 pages of just random stuff about me or my home. I am doing a lot of pages about my favorite things. They are just for me and making them is fun. It's just playing!
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,503
Aug 1, 2014 20:06:00 GMT
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Post by blemon on Jan 10, 2024 20:15:38 GMT
Dude, I rarely do any journaling at all. And when I go back and read stuff I wrote I HATE it. I don't care for my handwriting. I'm not into feelings. And I feel like you can see the facts from the photo. (Look, we did this thing).
So I just let that go.
I like playing with pretty paper and stickers and saving ephemera. And I am fine with that.
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Post by caspad on Jan 10, 2024 21:12:44 GMT
I know it's ridiculous because it doesn't have to be deep stories, but I do struggle with opening up. I could focus on doing a pretty page, but scrapbooking has always been about telling stories for me. Stories is how I got into scrapbooking too. I'm not good at the introspective Ali type journaling. My journaling is almost always the story I would tell while you were looking at my pack of photos that I just picked up from the developer. (Remember back when?) Maybe that approach would help you too? What's the story you'd tell me if we were sitting next to each other? Tell me about the photo / the day / the person / the connections. Then write that down.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,427
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 10, 2024 22:33:38 GMT
Ah yes, the dreaded journaling. A place name and date is good enough journaling for me. Both for digi or paper. I'm leaning towards this. Just facts. 🙂 I keep my journaling to a minimum most of the time, and I use computer journaling in fonts that I like. My own handwriting absolutely ruins the page. There are enough pages with my own handwriting in my early albums. Now I prefer legibility and relative brevity.
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Post by joblackford on Jan 10, 2024 23:54:32 GMT
I know it's ridiculous because it doesn't have to be deep stories, but I do struggle with opening up. I could focus on doing a pretty page, but scrapbooking has always been about telling stories for me. Stories is how I got into scrapbooking too. I'm not good at the introspective Ali type journaling. My journaling is almost always the story I would tell while you were looking at my pack of photos that I just picked up from the developer. (Remember back when?) Maybe that approach would help you too? What's the story you'd tell me if we were sitting next to each other? Tell me about the photo / the day / the person / the connections. Then write that down. This is my journaling philosophy too! I’m confused when someone shares a page and then tells the story of the photo in great detail, something very specific or funny that was why they took the photo and made the page, but they didn’t put it *on the page*! That’s the journaling, to my mind. I don’t necessarily care who what when where, so much as the why - why you wanted to remember this moment. Not that every photo needs journaling though. I’m with blemon in thinking the photo can tell the whole story sometimes, maybe with a minimal caption. I actually love taking a series of photos that tell the story without needing words. That feels really satisfying to me.
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Post by Linda on Jan 12, 2024 16:07:04 GMT
This is my journaling philosophy too! I’m confused when someone shares a page and then tells the story of the photo in great detail, something very specific or funny that was why they took the photo and made the page, but they didn’t put it *on the page*! That’s the journaling, to my mind. I don’t necessarily care who what when where, so much as the why - why you wanted to remember this moment. Sometimes I end up with hidden journalling or I'll write journalling on the back
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