Do you worry that scrapbooking about yourself is selfish?
So many of us spend our time scrapbooking about the events in our family’s lives: birthdays, holidays. We also dedicate ourselves to documenting the people we love and the things that make them unique.
I’m a strong proponent of scrapbooking about yourself for two reasons: one, you matter, too! Your story needs to be told by you, both for you as well as for future generations. One of the most important gifts you can give your children is the gift of you — who you truly are and what you think and feel.
But more importantly, in the process of telling your story, in all its beauty and depth, its glorious times, messy moments, and painful lessons, you will be transformed. You will learn more about you than you ever could by simply journaling, because you’re adding the visual –- creating a right brain and left brain look at your life in an integrated way.
There’s a way that these two kinds of scrapbooking connect beautifully. This is when you scrapbook about someone you love from YOUR perspective -– that is, how they influence you and what they help you learn about yourself.
Our current emotion-based kit at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out is called FRIENDSHIP. This theme is so rich –- it lends itself easily to the kind of scrapbooking I referenced above. Your family can be your friends (if you’re lucky), or you might have friends who have become your chosen family. You might meet the people who inspire you at work, at your place of worship, or following your passions –- like scrapbooking or doing a sport or volunteer work.
Here are some examples from our design team showing how they interpreted the theme by focusing on loved ones who inspire them in different ways to grow, develop and thrive.
Design Team Coordinator Melissa Elsner has met her most important friends where she spends the most time –- work and church, and has chosen friends who let her be goofy –- because of them, she’s free to be herself:
Patty Zimmerman is inspired by a friend who pursued a dream to be an entrepreneur and has prevailed. Seeing a friend bring a vision to life can bring us to new heights.
Felecia Krech recounts the similar life path that she and her ‘chosen sister’ have followed, and that distance has not made their bond wane. She is inspired to live well and fully by someone far away who knows her story.
Fabi Ormerod’s best friend is her dad –- her champion and support. And he’s taught her to provide the same for her children.
Diana Kennedy is inspired by her husband. It’s a great feeling to just ‘fit’. Makes you feel good about who you are!
Christa Paustenbaugh was lucky enough to marry her best friend. She is inspired by their similarities and his constant love provides hope for the future.
Nancy Doren cherishes the lifelong friendship she shares with her sister –- recalling the fun and fighting of childhood and the richness of sisterly love as adults.
Every month we create a kit that uses the freshest supplies along with symbolism that will help you tell your real story. Our industry-exclusive FREE Inspiration Page each month provides you with a multimedia support system — including deep journaling prompts, a music playlist, quotes, photos and evocative challenges to make your tender heart and creative mind and hands flow.
Leave a comment here and tell me about a friend who inspires you and how, and you’ll be entered to win the FRIENDSHIP kit. And do come join us online…we would love to welcome you and join you on your journey. Come on by and Explore Your Inner World!
Rachel Kaufman
I have a several ladies at church who inspire me to be a better mom – I really need that, and am thankful for them.
My best friend is my twin sister. She has literally always been there for me all my life. She’s older by only two minutes but still looks out for me so acts like my mother and my sister. Plus, although she doesn’t scrapbook, she understands my obsession and is constantly on the lookout for everyday trinkets and embellishments and helps me when I’m in a creative block!
One of the people who inspires is my daughter; she is a wife, career woman, mother of two, play volleyball, loyal friend to many, sports fanatic, and so much more. I was a stay-at-home mom when my children were growing up, and honestly – I don’t know how she does everything that she does. I admire the way she balances everything and makes the TRULY important things, the most important things. Her home will not win the white glove award, but their home is filled with love, learning, joy and never-ending activity. My little girl has grown up to be an amazing woman, and is an inspiration.
What a pretty kit! My inspiration comes from my kids….:)
Just beautiful!! I actually have a picture right now on my desk that I’m trying to figure out how to scrap. It was taken last Christmas, of me and my childhood BFF. We haven’t seen each other in years (she lives in India, and I live in Ohio) but two seconds after getting together, it was like we’d never been apart…
My friend Sue inspires me a lot. Her husband is deployed and she keeps house and is both Mom and Dad to her two kids. She holds everything together. She is so strong. I strive to be as strong as her.
My Mom-at 70 years of age, she lets nothing stop her, plans everything to a T – and helps me to be my best.
My best friend, Brandy, is my inspiration. She’s the one you got me hooked (see our blog story at http://viralscrap.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html ) on scrapbooking and she’s one of my prime motivators. Her style is so much more sophisticated than mine, I’ll always look up and be inspired.
My children are inspiring to me…I’m amazed at how great they are and who they are becoming.
I have a friend who is a co-worker but in a different office clear across the State. Although we’ve only actually met IRL once, I consider us very close. We talk almost daily and his positive attitude and words of encouragement and wisdom, despite the pressures of our jobs and of life, really helps me put a smile on my face no matter what…
My friend Sarah inspires me. She’s a couple years younger, and she’s so with it. I mean, she’s not got everything figured out, and she may struggle, but she’s just so strong.
She helped me get away from a really bad situation, and I owe her so much, but she just thinks it’s what good friends do.
I have a very special friend who always inspires me. Whether it is by sharing something special or the kind things she says and does; her friendship is a treasure to me!!
my mum is a fantastic and inspiring woman
My friend Linda is a Creative Memories consultant but was my friend from church way before that. I have learned so much about scrapbooking (and other things) from her!
I’m inspired by my friend Tovah who is more little “sister” than friend. She’s amazing, and is starting her own exciting new business!
The friend that inspires me is actually my sister. She is my BFF is like we fit (is a ying-yang thing) when we were growing up we fought a lot, like lots of sisters do but now we are so close. She is always there for me an she has been a great example of what a mother should be.
My best friend Abby inspires me. She’s a sorority sister from college, was the maid of honor at my wedding, and we visit each other twice a year. She’s one of the most positive people I know and I always feel energized after our conversations.
I love this idea. I’ve always enjoyed the inspiration from Scrapping from the Inside Out, but I love this idea even more. There are so many people in my life who inspire me, and who I want to scrap like this with: my best friend (who’s more like a sister), my husband, my sons, my parents.
My best friend just passed away April 19. I have spent some time gathering our momentos and photos for a special album. I am not quite ready for creating it. She will continue to be my inspiration.
I am fortunate to have not just one friend that inspires me but three – two that I scrapbook with. They each inspire me in different ways – in life, with my kids and with my creations. I know that I inspire them as well. We all get along and always have so much fun. I feel that I can tackle anything in life because I have my husband and my three BFF!!!
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I am so lucky that my best friend and inspiration is also my husband! We have been married 48 years and he always has encouraged me to be the best I can be and to pursue my dreams. When I started scrapbooking, he took an extra bedroom and turned it into an amazing scrapbook room for me and Never, Ever complains when I buy more stuff! He is amazingly patient when I am still scrapbooking at 2 AM and enjoys my finished products almost as much as I do. I must make a layout about his inspiration to put in his grandchildren’s scrapbooks!
I have a great friend who can re-purpose anything! It just amazes me what she can see and I can’t! I guess I need to open my eyes and mind to this! This is where I get a lot of my creativity!
I have been on a project this week about our church mates. And yes, most scrapbookers are only focused on themselves which is a selfish thing to do. Great post!