Last year, I took a lovely trip with my sister to one of her favorite places on earth. Because it's a beach, it's automatically one of my favorite places, too, even though I'd never been there before.
One day, we were on a small ferry to an island where one of the ferry employees offered to take our picture. We said, "Sure!" as we laughed a little about our very, very windblown hair.
She took the picture and then told us a very short story that has become one of my favorite stories about pictures.
The Story: This Isn't About You
She told us that her daughter recently wanted to take a photo of her, but she declined because she didn't think she look very good that day.
Her daughter said, “This isn’t about you. It’s about when you’re dead so that I have pictures of you to look at."
We laughed, mostly at the bluntness of the statement, but I really appreciated the reason behind the argument.
Eventually, photos and videos and maybe even some audio recordings will be all we have left of someone special.
When we had this photo taken on the ferry, neither of us were trying to be a part of a beauty contest or have something airbrushed to make us look ten years younger. (Why do we do that?! Age is something to be proud of because we've earned it!)
We were just enjoying time together as sisters in a beautiful place where we had a completely delightful time. Together. And, hello, there were wild horses on that island behind us!!
Just Do It
Just do it. Be in the pictures. Don't worry about if your hair is everywhere or you have wrinkles or gray hair ("sparkles") or if your eyelids are heavier than they used to be. Guess what. This is what I looked like at 52. And this is something great that I did when I was 52. So I should have some pictures of it!
It's about the moment, not about some ridiculous ideal that nobody can really live up to.
I know it can be hard to get over ourselves in this world so focused on appearances, but to the people you matter the most to, they don't see anything but YOU. The person they love.
The Two-Part Challenge
This is hard for most of us, I know. This two-part challenge is for me too (although I've nailed part 2!)
PART 1: Look beyond appearances to the MOMENT and what's MEANINGFUL in a photo! Look at the memories. Begin to see something you'll cherish 5 or 25 years from now. See something that those who love you will cherish even beyond that.
Then, get started preserving and sharing them in pages. It doesn't have to be hard or complicated. There are two different options at that link to fit your time and interest, and both of them are printed in highest quality bindings, papers, and inks to last generations.
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Sometimes things change. And sometimes it affects your memory-keeping.
Memory-keeping is essentially preserving photos and memories. You make a record of life's events that you and your loved ones can look back on. And when you do, these kinds of things happen:
Memory-keeping is literally a feel-good activity. It's truly self-care. So getting back into it (or into it in the first place) really matters.
FALLING OUT OF THE MEMORY-KEEPING HABIT
There are so many reasons you might fall out of the memory-keeping habit.
Maybe your schedule changed. Maybe you had a life-changing event.
Maybe the system you used to use and love isn't so loveable for one reason or another. Maybe you're looking for something better.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed. Maybe you just need to get excited about it again.
I've been a memory-keeper for as long as I can remember, and I absolutely love it, but this happened to me! A big change that was out of my control required that I go looking for another digital scrapbooking option. I didn't fall out of the habit as much as the fun was just sucked out of it and my go-to method went away. I needed something amazing and reliable and fun.
GETTING BACK INTO IT
I think the most important thing you need in order to get back into memory-keeping (or get into it) is options. Everyone wants a high-quality book that's *guaranteed, but not everyone enjoys or wants the same process to get there.
*Yes, a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the printed product goes without saying, but I'm also talking about the longevity of the digital version. Some companies delete your projects after a certain amount of time, some companies charge you for a PDF version, etc. We all definitely want some guarantees for our books. Beyond that, we often have different needs, interests, available time, etc., for actually getting a book done.
If you haven't done scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking, or photo books for a while, this 30-minute class will get you back into it! You'll come away with both solutions and tools, and you'll have options.
Here's the Get Back Into It checklist, too! It includes all the live links and details for how to DO everything you learned in the class.
GETTING ON TOP OF IT
Getting back into it can get you on top of it! Once you get back into a memory-keeping habit, you'll be having fun with it, and that makes it easy to do. You ditch the overwhelm that way.
What's made you fall out of the memory-keeping habit? Which of the tips or tools I shared here do you think will help you the most? Tell me in the comments below.
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Something I've seen in my 19+ years of providing tools for people to conveniently organize and preserve their memories from their photos, stories, etc., is that many people say they're overwhelmed and don't have time. Many people feel defeated before they even begin.
If "do something with my photos" is on your to-do list along with going to the post office and picking up the dry cleaning, I'm giving you not only permission but a recommendation to take it off!
There's a crucial reason for this.
Photos and Memories Don't Actually Belong on Your To-Do List
Your photos and memories (and stories and videos) don't belong on your to-do list because they are in a completely different category. Here's why.
Getting the laundry done doesn't do those things for us. Getting the grocery shopping done doesn't do those things for us.
So, "do something with my photos" doesn't belong in the same place.
The Two-Fer
We tend to like to multi-task these days. Especially when we feel too busy, we like to get multiple things done at the same time. (I love doing this for mindless tasks!) There's such a focus these days on being productive, and we do certainly have many good things we want to accomplish.
So let me blow your mind.
"We often think productivity means to work. It doesn't. Productivity means to make intentional choices towards a goal. The choice could be to pause. The goal could be to replenish. Productivity could mean to rest." - Dr. Mona Masood
Putting your photos and memories in printed pages is a productive activity that at the same time serves as rest and replenishment!
Read that again. 💕
Because this is true, your photos don't belong on your to-do list. Instead, put them on your calendar like you would something that rejuvenates you like lunch with a friend or a vacation.
This is literally what I do. I put "photos" or "scrapbooking" on my calendar. It's so easy to put off the boring items on my to-do list, but something special that I've blocked out time for on my calendar is different.
If you're ready to relax and rejuvenate, all the while being productive, all you need is your photos. Memory-keeping is magic. 💕
Looking back on photos is almost like taking a vacation. You take a break from today and re-visit the highlights of yesterday. Magic.
It's a pretty good prescription for what ails us! (For all you who recognize the "What About Bob?" reference, you're my people!)
What Exactly Can I "Do With My Photos," Anyway?
There are lots of ways to save, organize, and share your photos (and memories and videos and stories), but photo experts recommend preserving them in print as well as digitally.
My very favorite way to do this is using Forever because it offers such a wide variety of services for all my memories, no matter the format they're in. It's also really important to me that all my memories are private and lasting. Forever guarantees my photos and videos and digital versions of the books I print are accessible for future generations and keeps them private--and even triple-backed up!
And if you're looking for something quick, be sure you check out the Design & Print (or Create & Print) option. Easy peasy.
You can get started with Forever here, no matter where your memories are (even VHS tapes), and you'll find videos tutorials at that link as well.
NOTE: I am a Forever affiliate (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post, from which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
Put "Do Something with My Photos" on your calendar as Me Time, Down Time, or Relaxation Time because it's truly that. You can even do it with friends if that helps you keep your appointment with yourself, do it!
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We often think of pictures as nothing more than fun, but did you know that the preserving of photos and stories and memories (or "memory-keeping") can have a powerful effect on families and individuals?
This beautiful, touching video from The Church of Jesus Christ who sponsors RootsTech highlights real experiences of people discovering how important their stories are to their loved ones. It is SO WORTH the 7 minute watch!
The truth is: You matter. Your story--your life, your impact--is worth remembering.
What Makes Your Story Important
Not too long ago, I was invited to write a short guest post about what your story (your story, your family's story) means to others and the power it has! Photos and stories have been shown in studies to increase self-esteem, increase happiness, increase relaxation, and decrease stress.
In fact, if you'd like to know just how good for you preserving your photos, stories, and memories is, check out this impressive list of benefits.
Easily Preserving Your Story and Photos
Preserving your stories, photos, and memories doesn't have to be hard. In fact, it's better when it's easy because you're more likely to do it, and you're more likely to do it soon while memories are fresh.
So I've made two tutorial videos that will help. Tell your own legacy story this way
or preserve your everyday stories and memories this way.
The legacy story tutorial is longer than the yearbook tutorial because it was part of a class I taught, so you'll learn about the importance of legacy and get some resources and helpful ideas for where to start when preserving your legacy story. The yearbook tutorial shows you the basics and then you're ready to go.
Both use free, web-based software that is very intuitive and easy to use, and both will be professionally printed using the highest quality inks, papers, and bindings in the industry. You want your preserved memories to last for years and years to come! This link can also help you get started.
NOTE: I am a Forever affiliate (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find several affiliate links in this post, from which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
Your story is worth remembering. So, don't wait! You will benefit from the process of preserving and recording your memories, and so will your loved ones.
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Yes, really. I'm going to give you some simple directions here to get a handle on your photos--to see, organize, access, preserve, and enjoy them--in just 10 minutes a day.
Find the video versionof this post below. You'll also find a free printable with all this information at the end of the post!
Developing a routine leads to a habit. Maybe you have heard that a habit can be developed in 21 days or 28 days. According to the Harvard Business Review, building a habit isn't that cut-and-dried--there actually isn't a certain number of days or repetitions required to develop a habit because there are too many variables. One variable, they noted, is that it depends on if the habit is fun or not.
For example, I'm very confident that I could start a new habit of eating a Ferrero Rocher chocolate every night preeeeeeetty easily. They're delicious, it takes no additional work aside from buying them at the grocery store when I'm already there, and it would take me about 15 very enjoyable seconds to complete.
You might think that taking care of your photos is a lot harder than that. Actually, it isn't. For 2 reasons.
#1 It's as good as chocolate. Actually, it's better. Studies show that spending time with your photos boosts mood 10 times more than our traditional go-to mood boosts of eating, drinking, listening to music, and watching TV or movies. This same study found that looking at their pictures relaxed people--more than drinking wine and eating chocolate!
So, as I like to say, memory-keeping makes you happier than chocolate.
Reason #2 that you will find that memory-keeping is an easier habit to build than you probably think is this simple concept: momentum. Starting is actually the only hard part. Because once you get going, you'll be enjoying your photos, remembering good times, and finding that you're having a lot of fun with it. You'll look forward to it. And remember with The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan I've got for you, you'll be doing all this in manageable bites. That makes it entirely doable!
NOTE: I am a Forever affiliate (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post, from which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan
This plan will probably take you 5-10 minutes a day--and I'd like to offer you a challenge. Do this for 6 weeks to help you begin a memory-keeping habit. See how you feel after 6 weeks.(And, then--please!--let me know!)
The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan is based on this advice from photo experts to preserve your photos in two ways digitally (as files) and one way in print. The plan also takes advantage of technology that provides you (and me!) with both convenience and quality, all the way around. More on that shortly, but first: here's the plan.
SUNDAY: Cull photos from the previous week. Delete duplicates, out-of-focus photos, and photos that aren't very important. Save favorites.
MONDAY: Upload those photos from the previous week (the ones you just went through yesterday) from your phone or computer to Forever and to your computer/external hard drive. (More about this in the Using FOREVER section below.)
TUESDAY: Add tags and descriptions to photos in Forever.
WEDNESDAY: Find a page/pages in your book to preserve the photos in. This is only deciding and preparing! (More about this in the Using FOREVER section below.)
THURSDAY: Put the photos in the pages, adjusting them as needed.
FRIDAY: Add details to the photos. This is sometimes called journaling or story. Your memories are what make the photos worth something.
SATURDAY: Catch-up! If you didn't finish anything this week, finish it today. OR set aside an hour or two to follow this same process for older pictures from last year or last month that you haven't preserved yet.
Of course, I'll give you all the details (with tutorial videos, too, if you need them) on how to do each step, but first let's think about how to find 10 minutes every day.
How to Find 10 Minutes
Sometimes we feel so busy that we aren't sure how we can find an extra 10 minutes in a day. There are lots of great ideas here for giving yourself more time if you need them. For now, let's just consider where 10 minutes might be lurking.
over lunch--fork in one hand, technology in the other
first thing in the morning
while dinner is in the oven
every evening at a certain time (6:30, 9:00, whatever works best for you)
10 minutes less of Facebook/Instagram/TV/etc.
Where else do you think you could find 10 minutes?
Or, how about this similar idea? If you enjoy a little dessert or coffee after dinner, make that your memory-keeping time, too!
Using FOREVER for Memory-Keeping: Here's How To...
As I mentioned earlier, we're going to use some technology that's not only convenient but comes with some top-quality print products, unique photo storage guarantees, etc. So, these are the details behind the seven daily steps above.
"If I just had 60 hours to spend on my photos...." Guess what! You do! 10 minutes x 365 = 60 hours a year!
Today, save your photos two ways digitally, as experts recommend. One should be onsite (your house) and the other should be offsite (the cloud). If both are onsite and there's a disaster--anything from a fire or flood to a computer crash--your photos are sadly gone. So we'll take care of both digital ways here. I have an "easy button option" to simplify these two parts as well.
Upload them to your computer. If you need some help with this, this basic article can help and so can the video posted below. If you prefer, you can save your photos onto an external hard drive if your computer doesn't have enough space.
When choosing a cloud service, you'll want guaranteed privacy and security. Many people don't know that common cloud storage providers including Google, Dropbox, and Shutterfly, reserve rights to your photos and your data (meaning, they can sell them!) and also reserve rights to change their policies at any time (meaning, they can discontinue their services, delete your photos, etc.). It's best to buy--not rent--your cloud storage (here's why!), so taking all of those things into consideration, you'll want to open your free Forever account there to make sure your photos are safe. You'll start with 2GB of free cloud storage for your photos and videos, but you can buy more as needed. You'll be able to organize your photos any way you want in your Forever Storage--watch the How to Upload & Organize video here to see it step-by-step.
NOTE: You can upload photos at the Forever website on your computer, phone, or tablet, or you can get the Forever app, which makes this step and the next super easy and convenient. This short video gives you more information about the app:
EASY BUTTON IDEA: I have personally found it very easy and convenient to just upload all my phone photos to my Forever app and THEN open my Forever account and download them to my computer. It's just faster than uploading twice. Forever saves your photos in full resolution (some photobook companies reduce the file size and therefore the quality), so the ability to download back is a great backup for my computer, too! And my photos in Forever are triple-backed-up, so there's that!
TO ADD TAGS AND DESCRIPTIONS (Tuesday)
Photos without names, dates, places, and details are worth very little. If you don't know who is in the photo or why it was taken, the photo loses its value. You might think you'll always remember, but trust me: you won't. Memories fade faster than we want them to. Plus, the babies in those photos will grow up and have no memories of the events at all--make sure you can pass on your photos WITH VALUE.
We'll add details (value!) to our photos in print pages later, but for now, you can quickly add them to your digital files in your Forever account. You can Tag your photos (like put a tag called Bob on all the photos with Bob in them), and you can add Descriptions (names, dates, places, details). Start this video at 6:45 to see how. It's super easy! Again, this can be done straight from your phone if you want.
This is what it looks like in your Forever Storage. You can see the Description I added at the right (it's kind of a paragraph) and the Tags in blue at the bottom right.
TO CHOOSE A PAGE IN A PHOTO-MEMORY BOOK (Wednesday)
Whether you're a "scrapbooker" or not has nothing to do with this, so don't worry!
Putting photos and memories in pages is so important! Experts always say that no matter how you save your photos digitally, print remains one of the safest places to store photos. Plus, you can easily add all the memories and details when they're on a page, and you don't need an expensive device like a phone or computer to be able to access your precious photos! A book makes a great gift and really isn't the same as an email with pictures.
Books from Forever are printed at the highest quality in the industry, so they last, plus a PDF of your book is automatically saved in your Forever Storage, so you have a digital version of it, too. (So easy to share!) Find a book template you like here (I suggest searching either "yearbook" or "classic"). Click "start my book" and then you'll choose a page or two that you'll put photos and memories (journaling) in tomorrow. This video gives you a quick rundown of how to change page layouts. So, if--for example--you have 9 photos this week that you'll be saving in pages tomorrow, look for a page or two that will hold 9 photos.
TO PUT PHOTOS IN PAGES (Thursday)
Put photos in the template's photo place holders, as you saw in the video above. Adjust them within the photo space as needed. Feel free to choose a different page layout if it turns out the one you'd chosen before doesn't fit the pictures how you like.
NOTE: Using a Design & Print template is the quickest and easiest way to preserve your memories in pages, but if digital scrapbooking with full creativity and flexibility on pages is more your thing, use Artisan instead. It's what I use, and I *love* it! Learn more about Artisan here to start, and find my whole Artisan Quick Tips with Jennifer series here.
TO ADD DETAILS IN PAGES (Friday)
Click the text boxes on the pages you've just put photos in so you can add details. This is sometimes called journaling or story. Your memories are what make the photos worth something. Refer to the Yearbook Template video above if you need a refresher.
TO CATCH UP (Saturday)
If you got behind on any part for any reason this week, catch up today! If you're right on track, use this time to work on photos and memories from previous weeks, months, or years.
Some weeks, you'll take more pictures than other weeks. On an average week, I take 0-5 photos. However, I spent 6 days in Ireland last spring and took about 50 photos a day! It was pretty easy to cull photos each night at the hotel, especially with the app, but that's really all I had time for then. So, I set aside time on my calendar (before I left!) to come home and do these other steps. Use this "catch up" time for whatever suits you best, and add more time as needed for non-average weeks.
Now you're ready! You can start a photo-preserving and memory keeping habit on Sunday! Keep in up in just 10 minutes a day.
I suggest getting everything ready to go for Sunday NOW by doing those things that require some set-up under the "Using FOREVER..." section. You can peruse some savings information here so you're ready for Sunday, too. It'll be a great day!
Keep up The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan for 6 weeks, and tell me what you think! What changed for you? What did you discover? How do you feel after 6 weeks with your photos and memories? Tell me in the comments below, or email photoandstorytreasures@gmail.com
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