Hey everyone! Last month, I posted about using scrapbooking to understand yourself by exploring your relationships with others in your layouts. Today, I’m turning the mirror on YOU!
One way that we help influence scrapbookers to dig deep at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out is by asking them to uncover and reveal the unspoken words, messages and stories that they carry about themselves. Often, we show one face to the world — strong, invincible, and resolute…as a mother, wife, friend or daughter. But underneath, there’s some doubt. Will we accomplish all we set out to do? Are we as powerful as we’d like to believe? Can we realize our greatest dreams and overcome our fears?
This month’s kit and emotion, OPTIMISM, is the kind of theme I love — it allows us to delve into both sides — times when we are beacons of hope for ourselves and others, and times when we need some support — from outside, or from within.
One common theme that arose with our design team this month is ‘self-talk’; what tools, techniques, words and images we share with ourselves to remind us how strong we can be when times are tough.
Design Team Coordinator Melissa Elsner is applying her positive self-talk to her quest for better health — and she’s already seeing the results!
Nancy Doren is learning to remind herself that she is ‘good enough’ and to let go of the unnecessary pressure of reaching for ‘perfection’.
Felecia Krech reminds herself to allow joy to find her — to let it in, instead of only seeing what isn’t there.
Christa Paustenbaugh tells herself the truth, even when it’s hard to believe it — things always work out. They always have, so she’s got a great history to support this important and strengthening idea.
Patty Zimmerman holds onto the belief that she’ll one day find a place to live that will bring her peace and freedom:
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.
We’ve also got an amazing, deep and real community of women just like you who want to share what truly matters. And with our kits, there are no sneaky add-ons to buy — just the perfect amount of stylish and new paper, beautiful and meaningful embellishments and crazy-good variety!
So what do you tell yourself? Do you find that positive self-talk helps you feel better in difficult situations? Can you soothe yourself by relying on words or images that bring you a sense of peace and hope?
Leave a comment here and tell me about what you tell yourself to boost your own morale when life gets heavy, and you’ll be entered to win the OPTIMISM 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
P.S. Want to really dig deep? We’re just about to open registration for our premiere boutique in-person weekend retreat: CRAFT: Creating Reflective Art for Transformation, on the sand in Santa Monica, CA this November. Click here to learn more!
after moving to NM in May. 2010 then my husband died in Nov. I had to learn to live alone for the first time in my life. I use optimism by scrapbooking the things I love from the past, make plans for the furture and accept today as it is.
A few deep breaths, a warm bath and some chocolate usually help…
I say the Serenity Prayer and really think about what it means.
Thanks so much for all the inspiration on your website, really uplifts a day. Great collection for the inspiration kit.
Rachel, I treasure the hand written notes that my mother wrote in her bible that I have. Although she died over 32 years ago this month, it’s still nice to have that piece of her that remains. Occasionally I read her notes, and doing so reminds me of the value of journaling and what it can mean to future generations.
Wow!!
God Bless All of you!!! We all have problems don’t we?? I get down alot. My husband was transfered by his company to a new state 9 hrs. from our home where our families live. Our 21 yr. old son stayed behind. I thought that was the hardest thing I would ever have to do, to leave him. 3 months later he moved to where we were, I was so happy we were a family again!!! But, about 4-5 weeks after that he was killed in a car accident. He was the passenger, riding with a co-worker. They were both killed instantly. Our only son…Oh how I miss him! The next year I lost a dear sweet Uncle that was like a father to me. This year I am loosing my mother (whom is 9 hrs. away) to Alzheimers. She has gone down hill so fast. I also have a disease that causes chronic pain and fatigue. I still have 2 teenage daughters at home. So…therefore I have LOTS of bad days. But I pray ALOT! And I try to remember that I was truly blessed to have had my wonderful, sweet son for 21 years and to have had these other family members in my life as well. I have really gotten in to scrapbooking and that helps alot to get my mind off things. I get on this and other websites to get inspiration from people. I have even made some friends on some of them. I am still trying to get our sons’ photos scrapped. At first it was painful but now its therapy. I would say scrapbooking (even though it is now an obsession!!) has helped me tremendously!! and of course ALOT of praying!!
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