Last year I was motivated by my friend Carla to start a “365 Project.” What is that? It’s taking a picture every day of the year – something you want to remember. I had already done that for the first part of Annie’s life, but I liked the challenge to keep it up. Now as 2011 comes to a close, I find that I have a picture of Annie for virtually each day of the year – and I’m tickled with myself! Annie loves to sit down at the computer and let me scroll through her pictures. I can tell it’s already important to her, but I know that as she grows it will be even more important – to her AND to Barry and me.
Let me just tell you something right now – my mind is totally shot. I have Momnesia. Sometimes I have a hard time recalling specifics from the past…..I even have issues telling you who came to my wedding. But when I sit down and look at Annie’s pictures, I remember things. It brings stuff back to my memory that I otherwise would have forgotten – and for me, that’s worth more than gold. And yes, I have to look through wedding albums to see who came to the wedding – or ask my mom – or ask Barry….heck, everyone except me remembers. I need to take Ginkgo-Biloba.
It doesn’t have to be something super-duper amazing for you to take a photo. And I find that’s the most charming thing about it…….it helps me remember ordinary days. Our lives are made of ordinary days – why not document it so that we remember? I found myself taking pictures of Annie doing her daily activities – brushing her teeth, eating her lunch, going to the bathroom (yes, it’s true),combing Barry’s hair. It’s not just important on days that she has a milestone – it’s important to me as I find her reading to her babies…it’s important when I find her unrolling the entire roll of toilet paper…it’s important when I find her hiding behind the bed with the remote control…it’s important when she wears a bucket on her head.
I also find that this project is cheaper for me than taking sporadic photos and getting them developed for a photo album. Since I DO NOT scrapbook, I get these pictures developed into a Shutterfly book. I’m able to make notes under them that way. I try to wait for various times during the year when Shutterfly runs sales – now I’ve got my book and my photos – I didn’t have to get them printed or find a nice photo album.
Next year I plan on doing the 365 project again since it was so successful this year. Join me?
You make some great points. I especially find that I am more productive when I surround myself by motivational quotations and light incense.
I love motivational quotes! 🙂 “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” -Yogi Berra
Was just trying to think of the best place to post and collaborate these . . . FACEBOOK! So uploaded today’s I KNOW I have pictures from the last 2 and CANNOT find them 🙁 Have to see if maybe I used my dad’s camera while they were here.
Today’s was our little guy – tomorrow it will look like we got a new son – haircut today!
Good luck Sara! You can do it!
We made the goal to make sure we take a picture weekly of Samuel. For his first birthday, we will have 52 weeks of pictures so we can see how he changed from week-to-week. However, I’m sure we probably were pretty close to the 365 project. 🙂
That sounds awesome! 🙂
Wow, every day? Impressive.
Warmly, Michelle
I keep my camera in view all the time so I’m sure not to forget. 🙂
Some of my friends have done this. I know for sure I wouldn’t remember and would skip days on end, which would frustrate me to pieces. I’ll just enjoy others vicariously, lol.
Sounds good to me! 🙂
Yes, that makes perfect sense! Thanks for responding!
I love this idea! Do you just store them on your computer, then add them all to a Shutterfly type book at one time or keep it going throughout the year? Also, how do you keep track of the order? I’m a detail-oriented person, so I think I’d feel like I wanted to keep them in order! Thanks for the idea and your blog!
I keep a file on the computer called “365 Project.” Every day I pull off a photo from the camera and title it for the date; example being 12.31.11. Then I keep them all in that file. Throughout the year I wait for Shutterfly deals and when I find a good one, I use it. So, I might have a Shutterfly book that is January-April and another one that might only be May-June. Does that make sense? 🙂
That’s a great idea.
Thanks Hallee!
What a perfect gift from a mother to her child! Yes, mom benefits too but your child will mostly as she sees your heart through these photos.
🙂 What an excellent way to put it!
I love this idea….i take lots of pictures of my two girls but not everyday. I will be for 2012. Love your blog and your ideas. Thanks Stacey.
Have fun Jennifer! It’s a total blast. 🙂
I’m doing a project 365 this year.. I think it’ll be neat to look back on at the end of the year!
I am having a totally fun time looking at all the pictures from the year! 🙂
Look at how that girl has grown!
I know! It’s really scary………..