Productivity Advice – Simple Scrapper https://www.simplescrapper.com Scrapbook Ideas Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:28:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.simplescrapper.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-favicon-1080-v5-150x150.png Productivity Advice – Simple Scrapper https://www.simplescrapper.com 32 32 Announcing Our 2023 Book Club Details https://www.simplescrapper.com/2022/12/announcing-our-2023-book-club-details/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2022/12/announcing-our-2023-book-club-details/#respond Tue, 13 Dec 2022 20:18:35 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=224216 We're shaking things up! Discover what the Simple Scrapper Book Club will be reading in 2023.

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For 2023 we’re shaking up our Book Club model to go deeper on implementation as well as offer more flexibility. We have chosen one selection for the year to be our focal point.

Our 2023 Selection: Tranquility by Tuesday

Buy the Book: Amazon | Target | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Indiebound

Laura Vanderkam has written multiple books on time management, including two we have read in our Book Club previously. Her latest work, Tranquility by Tuesday, offers nine rules to find more joy and ease in life with an emphasis on quality leisure time.

We’ll be officially discussing the book over nine months, February to October, with our membership. This year our live discussions will move to Zoom, with time split between breakout groups and full group discussion. With only one official selection for the year, but many voracious readers in our community, members also receive a list of librarian-picked suggestions for further reading.

As always, our discussion guides will be shared on the website for all in addition to inside our member community. Whether you become a member or remain part of our extended family, we hope you’ll join us in reading Tranquility by Tuesday in 2023!

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How to Simplify Scrapbooking in 2025 https://www.simplescrapper.com/2022/10/how-to-simplify-scrapbooking-in-2025/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2022/10/how-to-simplify-scrapbooking-in-2025/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2022 02:07:39 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=223955 Learn to simplify scrapbooking so your hobby feels like it truly works well. Hone in on what makes your scrapbooking happy and productive.

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To simplify scrapbooking is to find what works best for you. We recently asked on our social media channels and inside our scrapbooking membership community: “What worked well in your hobby this year?”

While a few respondents felt discouraged, the vast majority attributed their success (of any scale) to a simpler approach. In this post we’re breaking down how to simplify scrapbooking in 2025 so you hobby feels like it truly works well.

Cultivate a “Simple Scrapper” Mindset

If you tell yourself “I don’t have time to scrapbook,” you will believe it. So often the stories we are telling ourselves about our lives and creative hobbies aren’t completely true. That’s why your mindset should not be overlooked.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably attracted to our more thoughtful approach to scrapbooking. We love pretty things, but what’s under the hood drives fulfillment (and finishing projects). It’s worth the pause to observe what’s real and use that data to move forward.

All that said, try not to stay completely in your head. With photos, stories, and products, scrapbooking has a lot to juggle. That’s why we recommend using a paper or digital “creative hub” to make sure you don’t have to carry around your plans and ideas.

When your hobby is working well, it is also flexible and resilient. There will always be more memories to document, more classes to take, and more Heidi Swapp stamps to play with. Before you consider the more tangible aspects of simplified scrapbooking, see if your mindset could use some TLC.

Choose What Works for You to Simplify Scrapbooking

If you’re a listener of our Scrapbook Your Way podcast, you already know how much we value a personalized approach to scrapbooking. The more you can lean on what works, the easier you’ll be able to identify what doesn’t. In practice, this looks like operating in your comfort zone most of the time to find ease and flow.

“What works” can be specifics of your hobby as well as lifestyle decisions that support doing it. Consider which project formats feel easy to finish, how your aesthetic preferences have changed, and even the type of creative camaraderie that is most motivating. Think about when you most want to create and when you actually have the time available.

Finding your own way to simplify scrapbooking is a bit of an experiment and a puzzle. It takes time and iteration to hone in on the sweet spots that make your hobby feel both fun and functional.

Be Realistic with Your Project Goals

You might be thinking: “That’s all well in good, but I have so much to do!” We get it, but do you really?

Scrapbooking is not a race. It’s a unique hobby that combines a creative outlet with the stories of your life. Anything you create is a win. As Stacy Julian has taught for years, one of the very best ways to simplify your scrapbooking is to let go of any strict definitions of “caught up.”

We love goals, but we also recognize that the season of life you’re in will dictate how much scrapbooking is possible. Like so many other things we’d love to achieve, there are tradeoffs. We can’t do it all.

What you can do is be realistic about the time you have in a week and the major obligations already set for the year ahead. Knowing what you’re working with is core to setting an achievable goal and creating a plan you can actually follow.

Include Accountability in Your Plan to Simplify Scrapbooking

In the responses to our question, we consistently heard that having a time, place, and process for photo management was foundational to feeling good. After all, it’s pretty hard to scrapbook without pictures.

Mindset and accountability are the salt and pepper of simplified scrapbooking. You’ve got to think and act differently to experience a different result. Even the most comprehensive plan is nothing without follow through.

In teaching and supporting thousands of scrapbookers since 2008, we’ve learned that your internal and external accountability systems are what truly make the difference between a hobby that works well and one that feels frustrating.

Consider what is needed for you to have the time, energy, and motivation to scrapbook. What systems, habits, or routines do you need to put in place? How does your personality impact the structure and support you uniquely need to get to the finish line?

You get to ask for what you need. And when you’re looking back on 2025, we’re confident that the support you leaned on will be something that worked well.

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I’m a Reluctant Goal-Setter https://www.simplescrapper.com/2020/01/reluctant-goal-setter/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2020/01/reluctant-goal-setter/#comments Thu, 02 Jan 2020 20:26:21 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=45645 I've always been ambitious and driven. I love my work, sometimes too much. I plan everything, but I can't think of a time I actually set a specific personal goal and worked towards it.

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I’ve always been ambitious and driven. I love my work, sometimes too much. I plan everything. But other than losing 40 pounds before I got married, I can’t think of a time I actually set a specific personal goal and worked towards it.

I have followed Elise Blaha Cripe‘s work since before she got married, so reading Big Dreams, Daily Joys (Amazon affiliate link) for this month’s Book Club discussion was quite a trip. I’ve long admired her ability to turn anything into a project and work towards goals of all kinds with so much joy and persistence.

It was her recent Instagram posts about attending a specific number of pilates classes in a year that really got me thinking about specific goals I could count. The PowerSheets Goal Planner then helped me put those into a bigger context.

My Personal Goals for 2020

I put together this list as I worked through the first part of the PowerSheets. While I love the snowball effect of the process, I had so many ideas swirling that it was helpful to have a place to start getting them organized.

My vision is to sit with these goals for January and make sure it’s all what I really want. I am so guilty of leveraging a good mental place and ample time (e.g. Christmas break) to be overly ambitious about what I can accomplish.

  • [Home & Family] Invest time in what matters.
    • Complete 10 craft projects with Emily.
    • Plan & execute 10 family day trips.
    • Declutter and organize the basement.
  • [Mental Health] Spend less time working.
    • Read 20 fiction books.
    • Watch 10 documentaries.
    • Go for a walk 2x a week.
  • [Physical Wellness] Lose 25 pounds by June 1.
    • Go to sleep by 10:30 5+ days each week.
    • Track meals 6+ days each week.
    • Attend 50 classes at the YMCA.
  • [Creative Growth] Be a finisher.
    • Complete 40 scrapbook layouts.
      • 12 BLP hybrid layouts
      • 8 Silhouette layouts (past year stories)
      • 10-6×8 layouts from 2019
      • 10-8.5×11 layouts from 2020
    • Finish all remaining December Daily projects.
    • Complete Photo Editing Study Group exercises.
    • Print 6-12×12 and 9-4×6 photos for wall frames.
  • [Work & Security] Hit a specific revenue milestone.
    • Run at least 1 ad campaign each month.
    • End work at 4:30 p.m. and pick up Emily.
    • Collaborate with Steve on a family budget.

Favorite Organizing & Planning Tools

As you heard on episode 43 of the podcast, I’ve tried a lot of different approaches to organizing my life and planning my days over the years. Some things worked for a while and others never did.

I’m excited about the solutions I have in place right now. Yes, it’s a lot. You might need more or much less. I waffle between geeking out over seeing them all together in the photo here and wondering if I am a bit nuts.

Here’s what I’m using:

  • I’m using PowerSheets (gold binding, floral cover) for big picture goal-setting and a Panda Planner Weekly (Amazon affiliate link, black bound book) for weekly/daily tracking. The PowerSheets tending page will be washi-taped into the Panda Planner.
  • Emily and I are also using Elise’s daily goal tracking sheets (not pictured) to monitor our progress on reading 30 minutes a day. These will live on our fridge.
  • I’m using a Carrie Elle 7×9 meal planner (silver binding, black and white cover) and tracking my food with Cronometer on my phone (not pictured). I have the Gold version of Cronometer to remove ads and have more customization.
  • Over the break I set up the green binder to house recipes we enjoy. I’ve never been one to cook the same thing twice and I want to do more of that going forward.
  • I’m using Trello (free version, shown on computer) for project management and my Panda Planner for weekly task management.

One Word for My 40th Year

I’ve mentioned this a million times, but I’m about to turn 40. This milestone birthday certainly has a role in my decision to pivot to a more goal-oriented approach. This year feels like a turning point and I am ready to build an even stronger foundation for the next 40.

I didn’t choose a word last year and I’ll admit, I felt a bit disconnected. I had been sitting with the word “connect” (ironically) since last month’s Book Club meeting, but it didn’t feel quite right. Then when I finally dug in to the PowerSheets, the fog lifted. My word for 2020 is HOME.

I want to love my home and the people in it. I want to leave my work “at the office” so that my home can be more of a sanctuary. I want to find my forever home with food. I want to celebrate my creative home (scrapbooking, of course). I want to build security for my home.

I’ll be using my word in my PowerSheets Goal Planner and in my Panda Planner Weekly. It will likely play a role in my scrapbooking, but I’m not specifically doing a creative project to support it. I know that when I live this word, I will have plenty of stories to document!

So what about you? Are you an avid or a reluctant goal-setter? Are you choosing a word for 2020? Leave a comment sharing how you approach new year planning.

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Spring Cleaning for Scrapbookers https://www.simplescrapper.com/2019/04/spring-cleaning-for-scrapbookers/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2019/04/spring-cleaning-for-scrapbookers/#respond Wed, 03 Apr 2019 22:17:05 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=44341 Clear out your creative clutter and get ready for a fun and productive season of memory keeping.

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You’re in the right place if you are craving space and a fresh start. Our approach to spring cleaning is simple, like everything we do here:

  • Learn and let go.
  • Optimize ease of entry.
  • Find focus.

In this recording of a live training, held on April 3, 2019, you’ll learn how to ‘spring clean’ your physical and digital spaces, your mental clutter, and your calendar using this approach… all with the goal of helping you find more time, energy, and motivation for scrapbooking and crafting!


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How to Set Creative Goals https://www.simplescrapper.com/2019/02/how-to-set-creative-goals/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2019/02/how-to-set-creative-goals/#respond Tue, 05 Feb 2019 20:31:17 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=44100 Watch a new free training on how to set (and reach!) goals in your scrapbooking hobby.

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In this video, recorded live on February 5, 2019, I’ll share how to set goals you can achieve, explain my favorite method for determining priorities, and demonstrate how to track your progress in the Scrapbook Your Way workbook. I’ll also offer a few sneak peeks of our new podcast and latest workshop, which both launch next week!

Links Mentioned

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10 Ideas to Prep for the New Year https://www.simplescrapper.com/2018/12/10-ideas-to-prep-for-2019/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2018/12/10-ideas-to-prep-for-2019/#comments Wed, 26 Dec 2018 23:22:01 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=43958 In this post I'm sharing a few of my favorite ideas for how to make the most of the week in between Christmas and the New Year.

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I love these days in between Christmas and the New Year. I also find myself a bit restless, itching for that new beginning that is still so many cookies away.

(Please tell me I’m not the only one trying to get rid of all the unhealthy snacks before the ball drops!?!)

Now that we’re in the home stretch wanted to check in with you and share a few of my favorite ideas for how to make the most of this special week.

Idea #1 – Practice a new habit.

Get some of those slip-ups out of the way now while you try on a new habit. From going to be earlier to reading more, you can learn a lot about what success will take by putting in some practice during this transition time.

Idea #2 – Figure out that app.

If you’ve been waiting to find the time to set up Lightroom or learn to use the Project Life app, there’s probably not a better opportunity. Dig in and build some skills you’ll use all throughout the new year.

Idea #3 – Clean off your desk.

A deep clean may not be in the works, but you can take 20 minutes to clear off a surface. It always takes less time than you think if you really focus on the job at hand and get everything put away.

Idea #4 – Finish a project.

Have heaps of time? Challenge yourself to buckle down and get that project completed before the calendar flips to the new year. You might be surprised by how much momentum a deadline can create.

Idea #5 – Start your workbook.

If you’ve not yet begun the Scrapbook Your Way workbook, this is the perfect time of year to begin. This free tool can help you stay motivated and forward-moving with your scrapbook projects in the year ahead.

Idea #6 – Let go.

We all have something we a ready to leave behind in 2018, but you don’t have to wait for the clock to strike midnight. Go ahead and give yourself permission to let go and start moving froward.

Idea #7 – Spend time outside.

I always feel more grounded when I unplug and get outdoors. Whether you need to bundle up or wear sandals, an hour in nature can help you find the clarity you are seeking for the new year.

Idea #8 – Write in your journal.

You undoubtedly have many ideas rumbling around in your head about 2019. Start making those dreams real by writing down the why and how. Test out possibilities and explore options through your words.

Idea #9 – Make one tiny commitment.

If there’s a decision you’ve been wanting to make, like signing up for a yoga class or becoming a Simple Scrapper member, just do it. You can always course correct later, but it’s time to take that step forward and try.

Idea #10 – Create a “right now” page.

Celebrate the good in your life as it is in this moment by documenting what you are loving right now. You might even find this works perfectly as an introduction to next year’s album.

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Strategies for a Simple Summer https://www.simplescrapper.com/2018/05/strategies-for-a-simple-summer/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2018/05/strategies-for-a-simple-summer/#respond Wed, 23 May 2018 16:39:50 +0000 https://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=43200 By keeping your eye on what's essential, you can find progress in those unstructured days while still enjoying the season's delights.

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On most evenings from May through August we go out for a walk after dinner. I love the longer hours of daylight and the slow simplicity of summer evenings. But with that urge to soak it all in comes an inner tension. I bet you’re feeling it too.

You’re ready for fun adventures and making new memories, but you also wonder what is going to happen to your favorite routines. From the household chores to your scrapbook albums, how will you keep it all together during the summer months?

I believe you can embrace summer’s freedom while staying connected and on track. I’ve got some ideas that might help. Let’s dive in.

Step #1: Accept that summer is different.

Whether your life revolves around a school schedule or not, the warmest months of the year inevitably mean more time outside and less time on all the indoor activities that occupy us over the winter.
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By simply acknowledging that this time has a different rhythm, but also a limited duration, you can start to see a fresh perspective. For me, this alleviates some of that “How will I keep up?” anxiety and helps me embrace everything that is special about this time of year.

Step #2: Set your bare minimum.

When September rolls around, I don’t want you to feel frustrated and behind. Yes, you will have to let go of some things, but everyone has a bare minimum that keeps you on track. Think about the domains or zones of your life that will need tending and identify one regular action.

In my memory keeping, staying on track with photo management is my bare minimum. Even if I get no scrapbooking done, I know that the rest of my year will be easier if I keep sorting and deleting photos.
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This idea works even if summer is when you have the most time and flexibility. By keeping your eye on what’s essential, you can find progress in those unstructured days while still enjoying the season’s delights.

Step #3: Commit to your engagement.

In theory it should be easy to keep up with your bare minimum, but summer does a good job of keeping things “out of sight, out of mind.” So in tandem with these mini tasks, you need a plan to stay connected and remember all those good intentions until season’s end.

I find it most helpful to pair a tangible reminder (like a checklist) with the support of a community. When I know others are going through the same thing, I am much more likely to follow through on my plans and remain engaged with my priorities.

Our new Summer Camp edition of the FREE Creative Roadmap workbook is now available. Inside you will find simple questions to streamline your focus, as well as a fun new challenges to help you stay on track and connected all season long.

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Tackling Journaling Anxiety to Actually Finish Scrapbook Pages https://www.simplescrapper.com/2017/05/journaling-anxiety/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2017/05/journaling-anxiety/#comments Mon, 15 May 2017 03:22:27 +0000 http://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=41165 Do you have a stack of layouts that are 99% complete and just need journaling to be complete?

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Do you have a stack of layouts that are 99% complete and just need journaling to be complete? This is a common, and often quite personal, struggle among paper scrapbookers that I don’t see talked about enough.

Whereas the stack of photo-less layouts you created at a crop reflects a disconnect between design and meaning, this phenomenon of stopping just short of the finish reflects something deeper: anxiety.

What I see is anxiety about handwriting, about choosing the right words, about the page design, and more broadly, anxiety about putting finished work into the world.

Do you have a stack of layouts that are 99% complete and just need journaling to be complete?

I’ve been fighting against this kind of anxiety since I became a scrapbooker and some of my best ideas can be found in this post. You don’t have to keep adding to that pile of unfinished layouts.

If handwriting is the source of your stress…

I shared my best suggestions in this recent episode of Simple Scrapper Live, including:

  • Why it matters which pen you choose,
  • The ways in which I practice my handwriting,
  • Clever tricks for Plan B  (in case you mess up), and
  • When I turn to the computer for help.

If getting the words out holds you back…

Even though I spend my days writing, I know how frustrating it can feel to be unsure of what to say. In most of my scrapbook journaling I write just 3-4 sentences that include a fact, a feeling, and a memory. I use the literal details of the photos to ask myself why this story matters and how it connects to other stories in my life.

Here are two examples that illustrate the ease of this technique. Try to identify the fact, feeling, and memory for each. You can click each image to enlarge it in your browser.

Tackling Journaling Anxiety to Actually Finish Scrapbook Pages Tackling Journaling Anxiety to Actually Finish Scrapbook Pages

Both handwriting and storytelling anxieties can be manifestations of an underlying perfectionism. This can also crop up when designing the page’s layout or as a feeling of general unease about journaling right now. The deeply personal nature of scrapbooking only intensifies a need for your projects to be blemish-free.

I’ve consciously worked to embrace the beauty of my journaling just as it comes out, and to intentionally seek imperfection as an recognition of its value. Acknowledging that you have anxiety about scrapbook journaling is a simple and healthy first step.

Want more strategies to get your journaling done? Check out 7 Strategies for Anxiety-Free Scrapbook Journaling from our blog archives as well as The Finishing Project from our course library.

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How to Escape a Creative Funk https://www.simplescrapper.com/2017/03/creative-funk/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2017/03/creative-funk/#respond Tue, 14 Mar 2017 19:35:38 +0000 http://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=41014 We all experience an ebb and flow of enthusiasm for scrapbooking, but what should you do when your creative funk persists? This post explains.

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Have you ever felt stuck in a creative funk?

For some this looks like lack of interest in your craft, and for others there is interest without motivation to act. Intellectually you know this phase won’t last forever, but it can feel frustrating while you’re in the midst of the slump.

You know how good it feels to spend time on your hobby and advance your projects.

How to Escape a Creative Funk

I have been in this place more times than I can count. Truth be told, sometimes I experience fraudy feelings as a creative business owner who struggles with this problem.

Over time, I’ve honed my ability to escape a creative funk by 1) giving myself permission to think and then 2) forcing myself to stop. This was the process that led to my album approach and a more recent transition to creating hybrid pocket pages.

Here’s how to try it for yourself:

Step-by-Step Plan for Getting Out of a Creative Funk

1. Identify and accept the situation. You can’t start making your way through and out of a slump without recognizing that it’s there. Instead of running a negative internal monologue, remind yourself that it’s normal to sometimes feel uncreative.

2. Take note of any life changes or unique obstacles. While it’s quite common to experience a downturn in creative energy for no specific reason, it’s always worth taking a look at the season of life you’re in right now. Has anything changed recently?

3. Look for possible course corrections. If crafting feels like you’re swimming upstream, it could be time to change direction. That could look like adjusting your expectations, switching up formats, or working to find your most creative time of the day.

4. Schedule a 15-minute creative date and follow through. This step is the clincher because you need to transition from thinking in your head to acting in the real world. Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in your own internal dialogue that you forget what it feels like to create.

5. Repeat #4 until your creative funk is gone. You may feel some resistance as you get started again and again, but it will get easier. The key is to maintain the 15-minute boundary to help ensure you can always find time to fit it in.

We all go through periods of low motivation. It’s a natural and normal part of the creative process. A thoughtful pause will move you in the right direction, but ultimate you must create your way out of a funk.

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To the Mom Who Can’t Find Time to Scrapbook https://www.simplescrapper.com/2016/11/mom-cant-find-time-scrapbook/ https://www.simplescrapper.com/2016/11/mom-cant-find-time-scrapbook/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2016 18:14:53 +0000 http://www.simplescrapper.com/?p=40801 This season of life is full, there is no doubt. Your energy is invested in raising your family and there seems to be not much left for you.

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To the Mom Who Can’t Find Time to Scrapbook,

I see you getting up early to make sure everyone gets out the door in one piece, calling coffee your first meal of the day.

I see you with the baskets of laundry to fold, feeling half-accomplished that you got it washed, yet frustrated by all those wrinkles.

I see you patiently tucking in your little one and her stuffed animals, staying longer than you’d like because she wants you to.

As you close her door ever-so-quietly, I see you briefly glance towards your craft room and wish you had the energy to go in.

This season of life is full, there is no doubt. Your energy is invested in raising your family and there seems to be not much left for you.

This season of life is full, there is no doubt. Your energy is invested in raising your family and there seems to be not much left for you.

You wouldn’t change a thing, yet you long to feel more nourished, more inspired.

You recognize the incredible village you have, yet you’re a little embarrassed that life still feels a bit lonely.

I see your pride with each photo taken.

I see you sharing your heart on Facebook.

I see you celebrating everyday life on Instagram.

I see you scheming and dreaming on Pinterest.

I see your eagerness each time you sign up for a class.

I see your joy for crafting as you purchase new supplies.

Yet, I don’t see you creating very much.

To the Mom Who Can't Find Time to Scrapbook

When you have the time, you’re too tired or too frustrated.

When you have the inspiration, you’re “supposed” to be doing something else.

I see you running yourself ragged, taking care of everything and everyone but you.

But, this isn’t a surprise. You know you’re supposed to be taking care of yourself.

I see you reading articles about morning routines.

I see you trying the Whole30.

I see you going to bed earlier.

You’re on the cusp. You’re ready.

You’re ready to feel in control, full of energy for doing more than just getting by.

You’re ready to stop feeling guilty about spending time scrapbooking.

You’re ready to fill your well by confidently creating more.

You’re ready to make new friends who know your real-life struggles and share your biggest dreams.

You’re ready to accept permission to take time for you, because I know it makes you a better mom for me.

Love,

Your Little One

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