Guest Post : Scrapbooking Comes Of Age by Stacy Julian
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Is it time for a personal revolution?
We all know that our world’s economy and more particularly the world of work have progressed through eras that have defined the way we live.
As a global economy, we are in the midst of the change from knowledge-based work to emotional work—work that comes from our very core and leverages our passion, caring and generosity.
I’m totally intrigued by the idea that our scrapbooking industry has followed a similar pattern of progression. Please know that this comparison is given in the spirit of fun (I totally made this up.) I had a blast thinking about this and writing it. I hope it will be a FUN read for you –I’d love to hear your thoughts!
AGRICULTURAL AGE : MANUAL LABOR
We use film in our cameras, develop what we take and scrapbook what we develop. All pictures (because they represent a measurable investment) are valuable. Waste is abhorred. Creative decisions are based largely on the archival quality of available products. Resources are limited, so everything is new.
INDUSTRIAL AGE : MANUFACTURING
An industry grows up around our need for better products and more choice. We are introduced to tools that generate something usable from something ready available (think die cut machines.) The goal is to get pages done so we can catch up with our backlog of prints. Magazines help us manufacture “creative” memories by propagating ideas and promoting techniques and products.
TECHNOLOGY AGE : KNOWLEDGE WORK
The digital camera and the Internet change everything.
We can capture an image and immediately see how to make it better. Without the limitations of film and developing, we quickly become photojournalists, drastically increasing the number of pictures we need to manage. As we gain access to unlimited information and online sharing we become more aware of skillful, complex and aesthetic scrapbooking. Products and services explode in response to a seemingly insatiable consumer.
AGE OF CREATIVITY : EMOTIONAL WORK
Surrounded by surplus (pictures + products) and faced with advancing technologies that seem to challenge old paradigms, we discover that value is found in unique perspective and that the cure for excess is authentic expression. Scrapbookers who do the emotional work of bringing themselves fully to the creative process are able to sustain their passion, excavate the stories that matter and find gratitude and clarity for daily living.
ABOUT STACY :As founder of education at Big Picture Scrapbooking and Ali’s friend, I’m eager to promote a scrapbooking philosophy that is inclusive of everyone, supportive of those just starting out and story-based. You can read more of my views at stacyjulian.com.
One more thing … if you haven’t read Seth Godin’s book, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?, I highly recommend it. Ideas for this post came pouring in, as I was reading!
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47 comments
Loved this post, Stacy, a very clever comparison! I find all that you said to ring so true!
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Wow! Stacy you are so good at putting your thoughts to words. Loved it!
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Believe it or not this article made me cry. I guess I'm just more emotional right now with recently losing my father. However, I am LOM alumni and have been a fan for years, but this is exactly where I am right now I just didn't know how to put it into words. Thanks Stacy for writing this article and helping define this new age. Huge Hugs!
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Wow, Stacy, interesting progression!
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I love the comparisons. As with everything else we do, the photos greatly enhanced the words. Well done. And adorable!
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Ali - I am enjoying the guest posts each day. What a great way to keep me coming back each day to read what your guests have to say.
Stacy - You are a remarkable writer! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your written words and it made me take a moment to reflect on my life, how I scrapbook, and what is important to me that I feel is inecessary to document. I have evolved as a scrapbooker but more importantly I have learned that I am an artist.
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This is a brilliant analogy!
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This is a brilliant post, and so thought provoking. An interesting read for sure. Thanks for sharing Ali and Stacy.
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What does it mean to "bring oneself fully to the creative process?"
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I am a History buff and old enough 73 to have "been there" through some of the above. I know what you have said makes clearer the thought processes are from all of the above including me. We are going through, with your honest interpretation of the process of emotional scrapping and technology, and growing. Change happens, is good, and we need it in our lives to help us grow into who we were born to be. Thank you because your philosphy is so freeing and mind clearing. Thank you Stacy. Keep searching and telling us where you are, please :-). We appreciate you!
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Jing-Jing,
This can mean something different depending on the page or project you are working on, but with scrapbooking, this essentially means you are willing to dig deep and tell the story you most need to tell and to make that story the driving force behind your decisions -- you're story doesn't need to be some earth-shattering revelation. It can be light-hearted and fun. When story is your motivation then you will experience an intrinsic satisfaction with the creative process and you will need less outside validation or recognition for what you do.
These are my thoughts (tonight anyway!)
Thanks for your comment.
stacy
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how fun, great job on your post Stacey
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Stacy,
inspirational as always.
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You just described my path at scrapbooking! Wow!
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Heather,
I'm sorry about your father. That's a tough one. But it is at crossroads such as this that we are often poised to shift into emotional work.
Thank you for your comment.
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Kelly,
thank you for your thoughtful comment. photos are no longer scare, but as you suggest, thoughtful personal perspective still is!
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Thank you Jana -- your favorite pages are the kind I love the most too!
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Love it! I love the evolution that you described. It's so true.
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Thanks Stacy. What great perspective. Thanks for sharing.
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Great post Stacy! It is an evolution and we have to change our thoughts and perspective as the technology evolves.
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