This morning I got a text from my cute friend who knows what I do, knows about Project Life, but hasn’t really tried it herself. She’s a busy mama to 5 and a small business owner. She knows a thing or two about feeling overwhelmed. This was her text.

You know I love you right?? Sooo I have been so bad at journaling and scrapbooking for the last years, actually forever. I’m tempted to try one of your Project Life books. Can I do it? Is it a picture a day with journaling?

I could have just texted her back. But I had this overwhelming feeling that my response wasn’t just for Kristi. It’s for everyone who’s not exactly sure about Project Life and if it’s the right fit for them. So here goes. This is for anyone and everyone who hasn’t actually tried Project Life but it curious about it.

Project Life does not = Project 365. Gotta put this myth to rest, first of all. When I first developed the product several years ago it started out with the idea of documenting life with a picture-a-day for a full year and that would fill an album perfectly. Yes, Project Life works insanely awesome for anyone who wants to take the 365 approach. Yes, I’ve taken this approach myself. Did it 3 years in a row. But …. Project Life evolved to be waaaaaay more versatile than that and I would say most people use Project Life not with the 365 approach.

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Project Life is whatever you want it to be. I really, really, really mean this. Literally. Let me give just a few examples of what a full Project Life album might contain:

1. A year in review, highlighting random memories from this year … last year … any year at all. Photos can be organized chronologically or by theme (have categories like birthdays this year, travel this year, school stuff, in our spare time, friends, etc. – and add Scrapbook Dividers to label your sections for ultimate organization).

2. Cover the span of several years. Let’s say you haven’t done much scrapbooking ever. But you’re itching to get at least some of your pictures in an album. How about tackle an entire decade in one album? Each year could have say, 6 layouts (our Big Pack of Photo Pocket Pages comes with 60 pages) and you can include the “best of” pictures in those 6 layouts per year. An entire decade of “catching up” in ONE album? YES. And you can do it all without touching a pair of scissors or using any adhesive whatsoever.

3. On a related note, I totally think most of us could compile an album that sums up our entire childhood. True story. Just blow the dust off those old photos, throw them in the pockets along with the Title Cards and Journaling Cards that come in the Core Kit of your choice. Done.

4. Pick a theme, any theme. Create an entire album all about … you name it. Perhaps all of your travel adventures go in one album, or maybe you fill an album with memories of a loved one that is no longer here, or think about anything you have lots of pictures of and BAM! There’s your theme.

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Project Life is easy-peasy. Like – for real. If scrapbooking in general gives you anxiety, that is 100% normal. Think about it – we all have thousands of photos on our computers, in boxes, wherever. I totally know what it feels like to be drowning in pictures. That’s my story too. That’s why I developed the system … so that I could get my photos + memories into books but not even have to think about designing a page, choosing products, adding embellishments, or any of that stuff that is part of “traditional” scrapbooking. This is back-to-basics, folks. Photos + captions. That’s it. But the end result is what we love: A scrapbook.

Everything placed in pockets. No cutting. No sticky anything. No embellishments. No techniques.

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Now what? Okay – this is for Kristi and everyone like Kristi who really, really, really wants to get a handle on their pictures but is feeling utterly overwhelmed or confused or intimidated. A few key steps for my newbie friends:

1. Take a peek. Virtually flip through a few of our sample albums just to get the wheels spinning on just how easy this is going to be to get your memories into an album. This will also help you become familiar with some of different editions. We currently have 5 editions (styles) and there are 2 more Project Life editions coming late December, just FYI (you can see details of all editions – existing and coming soon – by clicking on them on our Products page).

2. Begin with the end in mind. Decide on ONE topic or theme or chunk of time that you want to fit into an album. It could be for a child, for your family, for yourself … whatever. Just pick a plan. And by the way – you can start with right NOW if you would prefer to work with the pictures you’re going to take starting TODAY (or January 1 or whenever). If you do it this way, you can always go back to “old” pictures later.

3. Choose your products. On the Products page you’re reminded that all you really need is a Binder + a Core Kit + a Big Pack of Photo Pocket Pages. Any accessories you want to add are the icing on the cake but they’re not absolute essentials to make an album.

4. Check out the slideshow. I pulled this together especially for you. Photo by photo by photo you’ll see how Project Life works and how this will sooooo be life-changing for you.  : )

5. Pull it together. Now you know what your direction will be, you have the product in hand, and you are equipped with the knowledge that this is slipping photos & adorable cards into pockets with your captions and stories (as much or as little as you want). It doesn’t need to be anything more than that. Keep it simple this first round so that your experience is awesomely smooth and FUN. Involve the kids if you want, or do it on your own. Whatever floats your boat.

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Ask anyone who’s done Project Life and they’ll tell you why + how this has changed the face of memory-keeping for them. We get emails every day … testimonials from people who are so thankful that they can finally get a grip on scrapbooking because it’s that easy – and that fun. I so don’t want to sound like an infomercial. Kristi didn’t know what she was getting herself into when she sent a simple text this morning. I just feel so passionate about what this is, how Project Life solves problems, and I just KNOW you can do this Kristi. Thanks for letting me take your innocent question to a public level.  : )