why i won’t give up on project life.
It happens to the best of us. Right? I'm embarrassed (and a bit of scrappers-guilt-ashamed) to admit how far behind I've fallen on my Project Life album (cough12weekscough). I read about people "dropping out" early in the year b/c the project was overwhelming, or they'd fallen behind, or they'd filed for divorce (oh wait, ignore that last one…that was me). I was a bit cocky about it. I WILL NOT FALL BEHIND, I boldly declared to the universe. I even launched an email service specifically geared toward helping people stay on track! As the weeks tumbled along, I was not only falling further behind…but I was feeling insanely guilty for not "walking the talk."
Please tell me that I'm not alone in this.
Today, I took the PL bull by the proverbial horns (it's far too late at night to make that metaphor work). I printed a stack of photos at Costo. I rounded a lot of corners. I sped through 12 weeks of date cards. I used iphone/instagram/data files to line up images & dates. Listen kids, it's not sexy….but this album is gettin' done. 
In the words of Jason Mraz….I won't give up. Here's why:
1. Life happened, whether the Project part did or not. There were dark & twisty moments, and shiny sparkle pager moments. It all happened. I do feel like I've spent a lot of the year in a fog. As the fog is lifting, I like having Project Life to capture those rays of light & life.
2. I adore scrapbooking. Still. The colors, the patterns, the papers – love them. One of the things that I've loved about Project Life is that it's given me the opportunity to actually USE stuff again!
3. Project Life has made me more mindful. I take more photos (a TON with my iphone!), jot down more notes, notice more words/lyrics, and capture more details.
4. I love the result. I've looked through my (completed) first album a number of times over the last couple of weeks. It reminded me that I really do love this project!
5. I'm learning what works & doesn't work for me & my Project Life. This is my first year doing the project…and I'm taking note of the obstacles & challenges that have caused me to "fall behind." I'm already looking forward to my 2013 project!
So…I won't give up. I'm committed. I may soon torture you all with post after post of the lost weeks of 2012. You've been warned!
PS. That email service? It's taking a hiatus. Great idea, not-so-great timing. There's a subscribers email being drafted, so my apologies if you're hearing it here first.
11 Comments
Barb
Thanks for staying committed. I needed a little reminder not to give up.
Danielle
I am 6 weeks behind. Trying not to feel guilty about it because life happens & theres no changing that. So here’s to a renewed sense of enthusiasm & committmen & guilt or shame! This is supposed to be fun, right?!
Louise Fortune
I am with you on this one – see my previous long winded rant on your previous post !
I think that scrappers guilt should be a condition with a support group.
I know PL is supposed to be stress free – but I had expectations and I am not living up to them at the moment. Don’t get me wrong I am not losing sleep or my appetite (mores the pity) but I feel guilt pangs each time I walk past my album and think “shoot I need to finish last week and this week”
I DO LOVE this way of scrapping/documenting/photographing
HANG IN THERE
libbywilko
You can do it ! Love that you are just getting it done! 🙂
Lee Currie
That’s my girl! Keeping it REAL 🙂 I just sent out 12 weeks worth of photos to Persnickety Prints and it’ll take 2 weeks to get delivered. I had planned on getting everything prepared and ready for the arrival but life got in the way. So I took more photos 🙂 Hanging in with you!
gabby
ah. i needed to read this.
xoxo.
Amy
Thank you for the cutter! I have 3 years of PL to do…once I get caught up on my regular scrapbook. None of which would be getting done without your help! 🙂
LauraP
Good for you!! I didn’t jump on the PL bandwagon until March of this year. so, I started out 8 weeks behind… Last night, I worked on my spread for a vacation from the middle of April. So I’m “behind” about 16 weeks. BUT, I’ve scrapped this year more than I have in YEARS, and I feel really good about the memories that I’ve captured so far this year – and RECORDED! Yay me! (And Yay to Snapfish and Shutterfly for their awesome deals last week…)
Jackie
Im about 5 weeks behind but I was 12 weeks behind a while ago and as Laura said Ive scrapped more this year than I have in years. Too True. Ive set aside today to catch up Im not aiming for fancy I just want it done but who knows life might get in the way today. 🙂
Tina
Does the e-mail service that’s going on hiatus refer to Project Life Planned? Don’t think I’ve heard form you gals in awhile. Of course, I’m behind, too, so I might just have missed any e-mails.
Karidan
I AM SUPER BEHIND!!! WEEKS, MONTHS, and MONTHS of being sick with my pregnancy has put me soo far behind like umm I just did WEEK 12 ahhh I know! but I am determined to do what I have! I love this project and cant wait to use it to document the first year of my baby boys life! We will get through it!