Need some motivation to digiscrap

[flyingbinker]

I work on a computer all day, and after 8-9 hours staring at a screen, I am finding it challenging to want to work on my digiscrap albums in my free time. Anyone else experience this? I am years behind in my scrapping, and need some suggestions on how to get my digi-mojo back.

[allyanne]

Hmm, I would say to start with photos & stories that really mean something to you and/or would be the most fun to scrap? Maybe buy that perfect kit you've been eyeing and indulge yourself in some scrap therapy! I also find that perusing the gallery is very inspiring. Sometimes, I set a time goal, especially if there is a date or deadline coming up, like a sale on photo books at Shutterfly or prints at Persnickety. You could also try out some challenges--those always spark creativity, and sometimes you can win prizes. The DSD thread is full of good ideas, as is the monthly This or That challenge thread.

I hope you find your mojo! It's hard to stare at the screen all day, but scrap-staring is hopefully more fun and rewarding!

[nesser1981]

I found that moving from my desk to a laptop helped me a lot. I really go through highs and lows where I want to scrap a lot, then not so much, but being able to sit in the livingroom with everyone else, I don't feel like I'm missing out on everything else. I tend me to get a lot more done.

[aussiegirl]

I would suggest 2 things. 1) Purchase a new kit, something that when you look at it, photos of yours come to mind and you can "vision" a layout or at least you are inspired to scrap. 2) Look back through old or even recent photos. Find some that you really love and want to scrap. Purchase (or use if you have one already) the perfect kit to scrap them with.

It's ok to not always be motivated to scrap. There are days when I am not quite motivated. The problem is I have seen way too many friends just give up and leave the scrapping world. They still enjoy photos, travel, and posting their day to day life, but somewhere they lost that love of preserving their families memories. Think back on what made you love scrapping in the 1st place. Maybe you need to work on a paper layout or hybrid project 1st, to get you motivated to digitally scrap. Maybe you need to make some notes of albums that are ALMOST finished, for that final motivation you need to scrap that handful of remaining pages. Maybe you have a child who needs an album finished, or a vacation just waiting for you to finish it up. You are the only one who can find your own motivation for what will work for you! But don't give up. It will come back, and you will be inspired by just the right thing for you!

[Robin Carlton]

I would say try to stop thinking in terms of being "behind on your scrapbooking". It isn't a job! It should be fun <3 Maybe pick a photo you really love, treat yourself to a new release you REALLY love (even if it isn't something that "goes with your photo") and scrap just to scrap for the sake of making something pretty!

[AmieN1]

I agree with all of the above- especially the "years behind" thing. I'm technically years behind, but that just means I have plenty of options for photos. I try to do a recent layout, then an older one- that way I feel like I'm "catching up" while still scrapping whatever recent photos I want as well. I also agree on scrapping something right now that you want to- whether it's 'NEED to get this event done' or even 'THIS is so pretty.' Either way you're making progress and that's all that counts. We're always hardest on ourselves right!?

[SweetChar]

Can you have a television show, youtube video, music or something of that sort to focus on while you do some scrapping? That way, your mind isn't just staring at/focused on your computer screen. Just take your time and don't worry if you finish the layout in one sitting or not.

[bienejen]

I also find a lot of motivation looking through the gallery. Maybe I spot some photos that remind me of some I have or a page reminds me that I have that kit but didn't think to use it that way. Or I find a new template. There are so many amazing pages in the gallery. Sometimes scraplifting one gives me some new mojo.

[Kiana]

These are all awesome ideas. I agree with them all.
I'll also add, try scraplifting someone from the gallery. or using a template. That way all the guesswork is done. Even if you use the exact same kit.

I sit at a PC all day for work. I find having a show or music on helps a lot to NOT feel like I'm sitting at another PC for scrapping.

[MamaBee]

Oh how I relate to feeling “behind” in scrapbooking… but this is a hobby so there really is no “behind.” When my mojo is lacking, I pick up a project album that has a start/end… a vacation or December daily. Another thing that has really been helping me when I’m tired of being in the computer but still want to scrap is to put photos into templates with jounaling - pulling from my Facebook memories that pop up daily… then that filled in template goes into a folder so when I’m in the mood to scrap- it’s already started.

[TraceyM]

First thought - I don't believe in being behind in my scrapbooking because I never want to run out of photos and I can't even begin to scrap chronologically.

Bookmark or pin layouts that inspire you even if you never plan to scrap in their style. I recently better set up my pinterest to pin page ideas. Check it out. I can get lost in Pinterest for hours if I don't watch myself.

Go through the galleries here. Leave comments for scrappers. One thing I think us long-timers miss are the comments that used to come from the public scrapping forums. And yes, even us designers who scrap love the comments.

Teach a friend how to digi-scrap! Now you have a friend to digi-scrap with.

Throw a digi-scrap get together on zoom or via Facebook's video ability in Messenger. I have scrapped or designed afternoons away while chatting back and forth with other online friends.

Try a new-to-you designer (especially while we are all on sale), try a new-to-you style. Share your layouts in the galleries... even scrapbook.com has a good digital gallery.

Go on a photo-walk and come home and scrap those shots. The photo-walk idea actually came from my old WW leader to help give inspiration for getting outside and walking. So come the weekend when you are not working, spend a while outside and take all sorts of shots, even close-ups of cool things. Sometimes these shots can act like related filler to pages we decide we want to scrap.

Read through the SSD blog regularly... our babes are doing a fantastic job with it and I love going through and have even learned some tips from them!!!

Scrap with the TV on. Choose a show where you know the characters well so you don't have to look at it consistently. I do this far more than I listen to music as I desgin or scrap.

I am trying to be in the forums here more often these days, so come and chat like with this post you made.