Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of a call that has changed my life.
I became unemployed. And suddenly I didn’t know who I was or what to do with my minutes, hours, days, or my whole life. A friend helping me with my resume asked what I was passionate about. I wasn’t really sure. I enjoyed what I did for a living. I enjoyed it very much and wanted to keep doing it. But at the same time, I’d always said that I’d love if I could get paid to scrapbook all day long. Becoming a Heritage Makers consultant is my attempt to do that.
But why? Why am I passionate about scrapbooking?
It’s not about fancy design or showing my (limited) skills as an artist. It’s about preserving our personal histories. Keeping a record of our daily lives, our vacations, our kids’ habits. Creating something for us to look back on when we can no longer remember a child’s first word, a day with a special friend, the name of our favorite lake.
When I began scrapbooking in high school, I was just adding quick captions to photos. That was a good start and certainly better than shoving photos undated into a box. Since then, I’ve come to realize the importance of including the whole story. Many of my pages now include as many words as photos. And many times, I think of something I want to record and take photos to match the story, rather than only recording the stories that I’ve already taken photos of.
My hope is that when I’m gone, my children will use our scrapbooks to remember their childhoods and feel the essence of their parents and grandparents in the pages.
This post was written as part of The Marketing Mama’s Passion blog carnival. Link up your own posts about passion and read what these bloggers are passionate about:
- Unveiling my Passions on Kate in the Kitchen
- What am I Passionate About? on Pink Vanilla Cupcakes
- Putting the P in Passion on Healthy Heart Journey
- Living with Passion on Nightlight Journeys
- Passionate About? on Challenge: 1 Year, No Restaurants
- On Passion on Girl Meets Geek
- What are you passionate about? on Dajon Design
- Passion? on Little Animation
- Passion for Personal History on Our Life Stories
- Living with Passion on A Fit and Spicy Life
- Passionately on I am cinnamom
- Passion on Five Dollars a Day Blog
Missy said,
June 28, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Very cool, Jen! It’s amazing how so many of us feel so compelled to record our histories. Love that you are so passionate about it!
Thanks for participating in the blog carnival!
Mellissa said,
June 29, 2010 at 7:51 am
I envy your passion for scrapbooking! All of your pages are truly beautiful, great work.
iamcinnamom said,
June 29, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Wow… I have never gotten into scrapbooking, but have always admired those who do. Now I really feel like I am missing out on something–that my daughter may be missing out on something. Thanks for sharing your passion!
Debbie said,
June 29, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to living your dream and getting paid to do what you love. Stick with it, you are amazing!
Robin said,
June 30, 2010 at 9:48 am
Great post, Jen. I would guess that if you were able to put yourself where you were one year ago, you never would have guessed where you are now. I’m not usually one to recite trite adages but sometimes, truly, when one door closes, a window opens. Glad you found a window to your passion!
Jenny said,
June 30, 2010 at 10:06 am
Jen, I hear you about losing your job! I went through a trench in my life. Congrats on making the most of your situation and turning to a positive. I recently got a Cricket for Christmas (ummm 3 years ago) it is still in the box. Your post reminded to still try to do the things you enjoy in stressful time. I am a first time visitor and I love the organic look to your blog. I bet you make great scrapbooks.