“Right-Now” Memory-Keeping in 2017: Part Two
Hi again! Last time we talked about thinking hard and carefully about our plans for our “right-now” memory-keeping in 2017.
How can we set ourselves up for success in 2017?
- Reflect on why you are memory-keeping.
- Make decisions now so that you don’t have to later.
- Do as much prep work as possible.
- Schedule memory-keeping.
In this post, we will talk and think about 3 & 4.
Do as much prep as you can.
How much prep work can you do? If your style is elaborate and you have lots of design team obligations, the answer may be “not much.” If you do all of your memory keeping “off the cuff,” such as adding photos to your art journal, then the answer may be “not much.” But if you’re like me and you’re desperate for any way to simplify the memory keeping process while staying true to your memory keeping goals, there may be a lot that you can do early to make 2017 easier.
- Can you print out any of your cards in advance?
- Can you place any of your calendar, weekly, or journaling cards in advance?
- Are there any holiday cards that you can prepare in advance?
- What can you do to make memory-keeping in 2017 easier than it was in 2016?
- Do you need to buy anything? Do you want to buy anything?
My goal with prep is to get everything off of my computer that I can. I will journal by hand and edit and print my photos from my phone (including ones I transfer via wifi from my camera).
- I printed out weekly cards that I’ve used in the past from Paislee Press and slid them into pockets of my album. Simple, easy, and I can hand journal on them. Also, zero cost to me because I purchased them years ago.
- I made some decisions about layout. No outlines on photos this year (even though they look so nice that way!). Design A all the way.
- I’m not prepping holidays in advance.
- No new purchases. I’m going to subscribe to a kit when I move back to DC in April, but that’s it.
Here are some resources on planning pocket pages now to save yourself some effort later on:
Schedule memory keeping like you would any other appointment.
Do you attend religious services? Go to the gym? Meal prep? Girls’ nights (or bunches)?
All of these things are regularly occurring and scheduled events. Would you ever miss a meeting with your boss? Of course not! Schedule your memory keeping too! I know it’s easier said than done, but
- How many hours a week do you expect to spend on your “right-now” memory keeping?
- Can you shed any of those hours by simplifying your process?
- Can you integrate your memory keeping into processes you already have?
YES. YES YOU CAN.
I currently take five minutes at the end of my weekly planning process to note down any interesting happenings from the previous week. I write down quotes from my kids, books or movies that really affected me, thoughts I want to remember, and anything I think I might want to document. This way, even if I get behind, I’ve already done the heavy lifting of writing down what happened.
Here is a resource on how a daily journaling practice can actually help your memory keeping.
Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.
It’s important to find ways to fit “right now” memory keeping into your life, instead of trying to find ways to fit your life around “right now” memory keeping. What are you doing to set yourself up for 2017 memory keeping success?
I love the idea of a five minute ‘write it out’ session.
Thank you for all these tips. I haven’t begun yet but I have to decide myself this week-end!!!