For several years each November I created a hybrid scrapbook album focused on things I am thankful for. Each day I would photograph and document something that was meaningful and I was grateful to have in my life.
I’ve loved these albums as they helped me focus on what was important to me and what blessings I had in my life. I tended to always circle back to similar themes – home, family, food, safety, freedom, nature – many things we are all thankful for, especially each November as we reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving.
I always looked forward to doing this themed album every year, but last year life was busy and I lost my mojo so I didn’t embark on the project. Then 2020 hit with all kinds of challenges and I lost my mojo for so many things. Recently, I’ve been making an effort to tune into my feelings and understand why I’m feeling the way I am. Some of what I realized was that this particular project started to feel simply repetitive, so what was the point in documenting the same things each year? On further reflection, I also realized that I love the ritual of the project, the creative process, and looking back at each album from previous years is a treasure from those days and moment in time that I captured. With 2020 having been such a hard year, and no signs of lightening up, I began to think of ways I could change things up…how to refocus, reinvigorate, and rejuvenate this project in my eyes. And through my pondering, I *think* I’ve decided to focus on finding good in each day. I LOVE the sentiment “every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day” (Alice Morse Earle). And this is the theme I want to embody this November.
So my plan for this project is to find something – anything – that is good right now. It doesn’t have to be deep, I don’t need to overthink it, I doesn’t need to be earth shattering, mind blowing, or sentimental. It just needs to me something that made that moment good. I don’t have to search for things to be grateful for – maybe it is just good that I got out of bed, or my kids brushed their teeth without pestering, or the raccoons didn’t get into the trash cans, or I slept for 4 continuous hours. Maybe there will be some awesomely amazing days, but it’s ok if there’s not…because I am going to work on noticing the little things that bring a singular moment of good to that one day. And this is what I feel with make the project special and good for my soul this year.
This weekend I’m going to begin collecting and printing the materials that I want to use for my album and start prepping my pages so I am ready to notice the good each day brings me and easily document it for my own mental scrapbooking therapy and enjoyment. Hopfully I’ll be all set to share my plans and prep work for my hybrid scrapbook album with you next week! If you feel this is something you can relate to, or would like to celebrate the blessings and good things in your life this November, please join me in creating this coming month! I’d love to experience this journey and noticing the good in each day, together.
Here are a couple of images from my past albums and I’m excited to see how this year’s album will take shape!
Karen says
These are amazing Lori! Thanks for sharing! I love that quote about something good in every day too!