When people ask, "So, what do you do?" I generally have a hard time answering. I try to focus so much on individual needs that in reality I end up doing a variety of things that fall well outside the basic "Photo & Story Treasures consultant" description.
I was asked this "So, what do you do?" question recently, and since my answer wasn't planned, I've thought about it a lot since it came out of my mouth. Here's what I said:
I teach (free) classes on the importance of our photos and memories and then provide strategies and solutions to make high-quality memory-keeping doable. It's less about "scrapbooking" and more about appreciating and cherishing life.
In the 14 1/2 years I've been sharing the *Heritage Makers vision ("Everyone has a story. Tell yours."), I've been met with surprising responses when I mention that one of the methods of telling your story is digital scrapbooking.
I was asked this "So, what do you do?" question recently, and since my answer wasn't planned, I've thought about it a lot since it came out of my mouth. Here's what I said:
I teach (free) classes on the importance of our photos and memories and then provide strategies and solutions to make high-quality memory-keeping doable. It's less about "scrapbooking" and more about appreciating and cherishing life.
In the 14 1/2 years I've been sharing the *Heritage Makers vision ("Everyone has a story. Tell yours."), I've been met with surprising responses when I mention that one of the methods of telling your story is digital scrapbooking.
There are lots of methods, by the way, from{the Yearbook method} to {creative, flexible digital scrapbooking}, etc.
But the word "scrapbooking" seems to get the most reaction. People tend to either love it or hate it. And people tend to mistakenly believe the {myth that if they don't scrapbook then they can't preserve their memories}.
So let me say this again.
Preserving photos and memories is less about scrapbooking and more about appreciating and cherishing life.
Why We Need Memory-Keeping So Desperately
How You Can Get Started
Remember when I said, "I teach (free) classes on the importance of our photos and memories and then provide strategies and solutions to make high-quality memory-keeping doable. It's less about 'scrapbooking' and more about appreciating and cherishing life"?
So let me say this again.
Preserving photos and memories is less about scrapbooking and more about appreciating and cherishing life.
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| See "how to get started" for more options! |
Doesn't it seem like depression, anxiety, fear of missing out, and a lack of real connection are prevalent these days?
So doesn't it follow that happiness, security, joy, gratitude, and connection are needed right now more than ever?
The good news is that these things are closer than we realize!
Let me be so bold as to suggest that the best way to appreciate your life is through memory-keeping. Call it "scrapbooking" or don't, but we need what it does for us!
Research going back over 25 years has concluded the following amazing (and very hopeful!) facts:
So don't you think it's time? Don't you think it's time to stop worrying about "scrapbooking" or "not scrapbooking" and just be a memory-keeper?
So doesn't it follow that happiness, security, joy, gratitude, and connection are needed right now more than ever?
The good news is that these things are closer than we realize!
Let me be so bold as to suggest that the best way to appreciate your life is through memory-keeping. Call it "scrapbooking" or don't, but we need what it does for us!
Research going back over 25 years has concluded the following amazing (and very hopeful!) facts:
- {Spending time with your photos and memories has a grounding, centering effect.} It engenders a sense of belonging and purpose. It increases gratitude. {It fosters personal growth.}
- {Kids who know their family's narrative have higher self-esteem}, better {coping skills, and more empathy towards others.}
- Preserved {photos and memories help create connections} between family members.
- Memory-keeping has therapeutic benefits including {healing from grief} and {reducing stress}.
- Looking at {photos boosts mood (happiness) by 11% and relaxation by 22%!} (Chocolate only comes in at 8%, by the way.)
Photos and memories do so many good things for us--so many things we NEED! They aren't just "nice"--they're necessities.
{Memory-keeping} is nothing more than sitting down with your photos and memories--your life experience--and putting words to them. It's organizing the things that happen in such a way that you can develop perspective and gratitude. It's seeing {long-gone moments and long-gone faces in order to remember and appreciate}.
{Memory-keeping} is nothing more than sitting down with your photos and memories--your life experience--and putting words to them. It's organizing the things that happen in such a way that you can develop perspective and gratitude. It's seeing {long-gone moments and long-gone faces in order to remember and appreciate}.
How I Know It Matters
I'll end here with two personal examples.
In 2012, my brother and sister-in-law were finally expecting a baby after years of trying, waiting, and trying new (very expensive) options. When my baby nephew died halfway through the pregnancy, the grief was unlike anything any of our family members had ever felt. I couldn't do anything for them, so I made them a book. (I discussed my experience {here} if you'd like to read it.)
Looking through pictures that were taken at the hospital 2,000 miles away from me helped me "be there." Writing down the little miracles that happened along the way that my family had told me about over the phone helped me tell this little boy's story in a really beautiful way. We grieved, yes, but putting those things to paper helped us through the grief AND helped us recognize blessings we might otherwise have missed.
I'll end here with two personal examples.
In 2012, my brother and sister-in-law were finally expecting a baby after years of trying, waiting, and trying new (very expensive) options. When my baby nephew died halfway through the pregnancy, the grief was unlike anything any of our family members had ever felt. I couldn't do anything for them, so I made them a book. (I discussed my experience {here} if you'd like to read it.)
Looking through pictures that were taken at the hospital 2,000 miles away from me helped me "be there." Writing down the little miracles that happened along the way that my family had told me about over the phone helped me tell this little boy's story in a really beautiful way. We grieved, yes, but putting those things to paper helped us through the grief AND helped us recognize blessings we might otherwise have missed.
And now that baby boy's 6-year-old sister gets to read about the big brother she never got to meet. He is real to her, and it has created a connection for her.
Example 2: Mostly, though, life is great! There are birthdays and graduations, new jobs and old friends. I take pictures of all these things. Because I don't let them sit on my phone or camera and forget about them, I get to re-live them! I get to re-love them!
Experiences and sweet times don't fade and disappear. I put my pictures and memories in digital scrap pages and in digital photo-memory books. That's how they stay in my memory and in my heart. Good times are always close by.
Remember when I said, "I teach (free) classes on the importance of our photos and memories and then provide strategies and solutions to make high-quality memory-keeping doable. It's less about 'scrapbooking' and more about appreciating and cherishing life"?
Well, I record them all! You can find classes on a variety of topics at my YouTube channel right here! Be sure you share your favorite one with a friend.
Because the best way to appreciate life really is through remembering it--through memory-keeping.
Pick an easy peasy option or pick a creative me-time option, but whatever you do, pick. Get started here.
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*2023 UPDATE regarding any outdated references: Heritage Makers and Snap2Finish became YPhoto under Youngevity (which purchased Heritage Makers in 2013). YPhoto uses only templates, so the creativity showcased here is no longer available there, and they also no longer have capability to print previously-created projects like these from the old system. YPhoto is not a photo storage site like Heritage Makers was.
Best-in-the-industry quality and permanent cloud photo storage with guaranteed privacy are required for anything recommended here by Photo & Story Treasures, so we highly recommend Forever for:
· creative digital scrapbooking applicable in a variety of photo products using Artisan software
· easy photo-memory books using free AutoPrint and Design & Print software programs
· private, permanent, secure, and guaranteed photo and video cloud storage (triple-backed-up and bank encrypted)
· white glove digitizing services for old memories like VHS tapes, slides, old scrapbooks (scanning), 8mm film, audio tapes, and much more
Learn more here to find similar products at top-quality with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
This is by far my favorite of all your posts!!! I appreciate your boldness followed with truth and connection. I agree with you—-it’s time!! -Marcie
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you so much, Marcie. That means a lot. :) I'm so glad you enjoyed this post. I hope it helps a lot of people take the step and DO IT.
DeleteI like how you said that sitting down with your photos and memories is good for you. It really is like therapy, I think. It's like a gratitude journal of good times.
ReplyDelete(Steph)
Exactly!! You hit it on the head, Steph. Thanks for the comment. :)
ReplyDeleteI love looking at pics and vids of my kids and especially my grandbabies. Sweet memories ♥ Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 69. Pinned.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely--the sweet memories are the best! Thanks for the comment and the Pin! :)
DeleteJennifer, memory-keeping is incredibly important, and your post on the topic really resonated with me. Your statement, 'It's organizing the things that happen in such a way that you can develop perspective and gratitude,' is so true.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading your post, I was saddened to learn about your sister-in-law's loss of her baby halfway through her pregnancy. However, I am glad that you were able to create a book for them, preserving those precious miracles along the way.
Looking back through photos and other resources is a wonderful way to keep those memories alive. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #35.
Thank you so much, Stephanie! I'm so glad this post resonated with you. I always enjoy and appreciate your perspective as a fellow memory-keeper. :) Yes, that loss was so hard on our family and we (my sister-in-law and my brother, especially) needed something to have and hold onto and be reminded about. It's a precious book to their family, even now, more than 10 years later. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment!
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