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feeling more at home

gonewiththewind said:
First, I was a scrapper before I was a designer . . . and well, I'm **still** a scrapper. LOL

I'll admit, I longed for recognition and affirmation in this community myself. I sought CT spots, participated in contests, completed challenges, etc., to get feedback that what I was doing was beautiful, that I was worth something. I was successful. I won prizes and bragging rights, and I had a lot of fellow scrappers affirm that I was talented. It did feel good. I'm not gonna lie, it was fun! Yet at the end of it all, those accomplishments faded away and I was left with me and my insecurities and feelings of inadequacy.

I came to a point where I had to reassess what I was doing and WHY I was doing it. My pages didn't undergo an overhaul, but **I** did. Instead of focusing on what reaction I would get when I finished this layout or that layout, I thought about the photos, and the love for my family, and what I would want to look back and remember, and what I would want my family to remember. Sure, I still love to get a "like" or comment on my creations. Who doesn't? The bottom line now is that I know what I'm creating is valuable and worthwhile, because it's valuable and worthwhile to **me**. And it's fun! I have a blast creating every single day and participating in the community.

We are all insecure. We all want validation and recognition. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's exactly why I love the TLP community, because there is so much interaction and encouragement. Daily there is someone lifting someone else's spirits, whether it's by commenting on their layout or about something personal going on in their lives.

Here's my encouragement: no matter what your goals are, to be on a CT, or to finish an album, or to have a particular scrap idol comment on your layout, or to find new friends here . . . whatever it may be . . . stop for a moment and realize that you are incredibly talented. You can manipulate pixels like mad! Not everyone can scrap digitally, but you can! You are loving. You love your family and friends and your life, and you spend time creating something beautiful to commemorate them. You are encouraging. You leave comments for fellow scrappers because you appreciate what they've created. You are an amazing photographer. You take time to pull out your camera and capture people and events. You are a writer. You tell the stories of your life. You are keeper of memories, and you do it in a way that no one else can.

We are all unique and have different levels of experience and talent, but we do all share one thing: we love scrapbooking. I'm so thankful for each one of you here. I love that I could tell y'all that I feel insecure, and I'm not worried that I'm going to be made fun of for admitting that.

Wow. This was a lot of rambling. I apologize. LOL Just know that whatever title you have . . . you are loved and appreciated here.
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if all people rambling rambled like you....this world would be a much , much better place.
I couldn't agree more. In each and every count... I still have my insecurities, but, I think I have mentioned this before, maybe that comes with art making...is like if we make art, we constantly need to know we can be better, can keep growing. I am a very very emotional person and ( you maybe tired to hear me say this, you all) I love my Pad;s family, because that feeling you so well described is here with an intensity that has so much power....
I think we are all so blessed to have each other, this is an amazing family... (I'm already crying like a baby after reading you)



y_baros said:
Cheryl FTW :bk:cheer:grouphug:heartslub @gonewiththewind
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yes. this.

@kimingvtx ...what a wonderful gesture, what a mother you are, and what an amazing son....... I'm in tears even more so now. :heartlub:heartlub:heartlub
 
how did i miss this thread? just reading each and every last word of it now. @gonewiththewind and @kimingvtx i have to say you both expressed your words so eloquently. cheryl i love every single point you made. you are just awesome. and kim, thank you! for sharing that story. i love a good cry (for the right reasons) and boy the tears are flowing. you are an amazing mom! :beat i have read so many warm, honest, open threads this week - every single one of you here is just so special.

note: i tried to find a little group hug smilie but i couldn't see one through all the tears gushing out of my eyes!!!
 
Well, I couldn't find it either, but I found one elsewhere, @jenn mccabe !

grouphugg.gif
 
gonewiththewind said:
. . . stop for a moment and realize that you are incredibly talented. You can manipulate pixels like mad! Not everyone can scrap digitally, but you can! You are loving. You love your family and friends and your life, and you spend time creating something beautiful to commemorate them. You are encouraging. You leave comments for fellow scrappers because you appreciate what they've created. You are an amazing photographer. You take time to pull out your camera and capture people and events. You are a writer. You tell the stories of your life. You are keeper of memories, and you do it in a way that no one else can.
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I think I need to make this into a graphic and set it as my computer wallpaper. Cheryl, you are awesome!

@Cath_ - I've actually been thinking about the whole "Creating for" thing for a couple weeks now. I know it's a way for the creative team members to be easily identified in the forums, but I had the thought that I'm creating for my stepdaughter and nieces and nephews. I wanted to add it to my siggy, but didn't want anyone to think I was being snarky about CT's. Reading your post today, it gave me the courage I needed to add that to my siggy!
 
angiekey said:
I think I need to make this into a graphic and set it as my computer wallpaper. Cheryl, you are awesome!

@Cath_ - I've actually been thinking about the whole "Creating for" thing for a couple weeks now. I know it's a way for the creative team members to be easily identified in the forums, but I had the thought that I'm creating for my stepdaughter and nieces and nephews. I wanted to add it to my siggy, but didn't want anyone to think I was being snarky about CT's. Reading your post today, it gave me the courage I needed to add that to my siggy!
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and it's so cute too! i love it on the little ribbon and how the ribbon waves through your letters. :beat
 
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