Thinking About The Ways We Evolve

I have been around for many many years. I'm a multiple kit subscriber, I've taken all your classes, I do December Daily, PL, Week in the Life, Day in the life and I'm an active participant on your Facebook group and agree with everyone but I will admit, I agree with nerdgirl. As you have said many times, there will always be "more product out there" but in my opinion, your blog, your story and the connection you have created with your "followers" is a huge business asset that sets you apart in this industry and for that, I am truly grateful. You connect with people - not everyone has this talent. You will find the right balance - you always do. GoAliGo!

I started following you right around the time your husband left. It was your openness and vulnerability during that time that actually drew me to you, because I wanted my memory-keeping to be real for my children as well, and your style wasn't one that I had really encountered before. I see the changes coming as a result of your brand/business growing. And that is something to be celebrated! Growing a business to its fullest potential is to be admired and applauded. You still share and provide inspiration, but it comes in many different forms now, and I for one appreciate the inspiration from the many areas. Change is normal. As my mom always told me (mostly during hard times lol) "nothing stays the same forever". Thanks for all you do.

Ali thank you for your honesty. I have been a huge follower all of these years, watched Simon and Anna grow into wonderful people, cheered you on through the struggles and so happy for you on your marriage to Aaron and combining 2 families.
There have been many times that I wanted to quit documenting my life and my family journies but everytime I come here to your blog and now through your IG account and to really be honest on my part all of your products I have stuck in there. And thank you for always inspiring me and please keep sharing with us!

Life is a journey, with twists and turns, hills and valleys...your path is yours to find as you travel. We love sharing part of it with you but it is yours...love the saying..starting again pulls us away from our comfort zone but unless we do we live the same day over and over...hugs as you find your space!! Marybeth

I’m here for it. Whatever it looks like. I like the glimpses we get here and the different pieces of life we get to see on Instagram or by following you on a backyard tour. In just a few short years you’ve grown a brand and blended a family. Of course you can’t give us a play-by-play. So much of that HAS to stay private. I doubt I’d look at you the same if you were here, telling it all, with no sense of boundaries or respect for all those little hearts running around your house.

Though I also get the pull that comes from wanting to return to something more free or more intimate. I, personally, miss The Weekend Lens and your Around Here posts. But, I’m content as a spectator. I love watching your business and brand evolve and getting a chance to root for a powerful and creative entrepreneur from the sidelines.

Fourteen years ago I wasn't married, hadn't started grad school (or finished) and I've had five jobs since then! I think it would be foolish for us not to expect you to evolve when we think about how much we've all evolved ourselves. I'll admit, I do love when you share stories, but I know how much time and energy that takes, so I enjoy the stories when they come. Thank you for your authenticity and for sharing via Instagram as well.

Wow! Are we on the same wavelength or what? I decided to subscribe to Stories of the Month earlier this week...before I read this blog post. Now that the last of my four young adults has graduated from college, I feel like a true "empty nester." My husband just retired. My OLW last year was "transitions." The word "change" sounded too abrupt for what I was preparing for, the transition to probably fewer big kiddie story layouts and now more about MY, OUR monthly adventures, thus the subscription to Stories of the Month. I want to write and reflect more now, too. My OLW this time around is "enjoy." And I am enjoying the changes. Life is too short to bemoan the changes. I will end my Stamp subscription, God knows I have a trillion of your stamps, when the year is up, only keep the Stories of the Month subscription. I applaud your business acumen! And this is all to tell you, YES, we evolve, we change. Our needs change.
I have been with you since Simon was born, ups and downs, and have always found you to be such an inspiration. And darn, we've never met even though living just hours apart!! When I look at my "scrapbook room," I see how we have all evolved and changed with this craft....full-page layouts, hybrids with digital, Project Life pocket pages. It's been an evolution in this craft that reflects your life and all our lives that are memory keepers. Go with what makes YOU happy and what works for YOU and YOUR family. We'll all be here with you...ebbing and flowing, transitioning, and evolving! BTW, have you listened to Karen Walrond's recent podcast on "journaling?" GoAliGo!

I commented on Facebook and on Instagram and after reading the whole post, feel compelled to comment here too. I love your writing and love your posts and anything you’re willing to share. Hope that doesn’t sound creepy. I don’t mean it that way. Ali, you are so genuine and so likable, I so enjoy following whatever you have going on. You make me feel “normal”...we all have stuff going on - good stuff and challenging stuff. I have followed a few others online that I eventually stopped following me because their attitude annoys me. Like they know everything or never make mistakes. Thank you for being real and for sharing whatever you feel like sharing. Love your products and your style and thanks for always providing inspiration. ❤️

Ali,
I've followed you since Simon was about three. What I have loved most is the openness with which you have shared the ups and downs of real life and your struggle to be in touch with what is most meaningful in life. We all have those ups and downs, and I totally identify with your search for meaning and authenticity.
Also, my memory keeping has gone from mats cut out with wavy edge scissors twenty years ago to Project Life, which was a wonderful find, but too fussy and elaborate at first, all matchy-matchy and dozens of page protectors. Then it was Ali to the rescue, with your take on PL, simplifying it so I could actually stick with it. Your stamps and journaling kits have been wonderful, reflecting your reverence for the everyday that I also feel. Plus giving me the freedom to just get it done, get the stories told, and not be perfectionistic about it.
Projects like Day in the Life have captured some special moments that I would have not examined.
And December Daily and OLW have been more meaningful than I ever imagined. I too have cut back on some projects and purchases, but I still enjoy seeing your family grow and you find happiness and balance. I do understand that you may wish to share less of your family life as your kids are growing up. Maybe it will be more of your personal experiences and less of theirs. That seems fine. I hope you do keep sharing with some of the openness that makes your viewpoint and creativity really special. Thanks for everything. Susan K, aka Birdnscrap

Ive been around for many years in fact I discovered scrapbooking in 2002 and you were one of my first inspirations as mama2simon on the site twopeasinabucket....I have loved your content from the very beginning and after all this time I dont see that changing. Do I miss some of your story telling in the way you used to share it on your blog....yes....your blog was always the one I choose to read even when time was limited. And all these years later its still the one I visit religiously. You're the friend Ive never met yet Ive travelled a journey with you rejoiced in your successes business and personal and cried for you in you're sad times, and in my opinion evolution and change are part of the journey......you've given so much of yourself to the community of memory keepers and I'm immensely grateful ....Ill be here whatever form it takes. xox

Hey Ali,

Thank you Ali! You have graciously let us into your lives, let us watch your children grow into beautiful human beings, showing us the good and the bad, real life. I have been a long time fan, have all of your books and it was so cool to meet you and take classes with you at the Crop & Create in Abbotsford (a few years ago). You are so right, "Change" is the only constant thing in our lives and for you to show us how you roll with it and adapt and grow right along with all the changes is so inspiring. Thank you, thank you! Seriously, Thank you.

Elizabeth

Thank you so much for your words! As always, very honest and inspiring! I have missed this space (following you since 2008) but I learned to find you on Instagram and signed up to a few of your classes. You are a very wise woman and I wish our paths would cross one time and I get to meet you in person. Keep up the good work!

Thank you so much for this post. I have been along for the ride since 2008 (I remember all those sidebar ads, sponsored posts, etc!) and have always appreciated how open + honest + authentic you have been. My memory keeping is truly better because of your influence. I have always been more interested in the words + photos without a lot of fluff and you have helped me grow as a memory keeper while staying focused on those words + photos. A lot has changed in all these years and although I absolutely crave those Around Here, Today You, and just plain random bits of life posts I know that you are in a different season now and your business and brand has grown leaps and bounds. With a growing business, a bigger family, and changed family dynamics you have a lot on your plate. I so appreciate all of you that you share here when you can (I still check in near daily!) and also on the other social platforms (I'm not on social media, but still can see your posts on IG, but not everything such as the "stories" since I don't have an account). The word you've introduced us all to...TILT...comes to mind. You are needing to tilt elsewhere and I'm here, as andiegirl said, a friend you've never met, to support and cheer you on! Perhaps as the new school year begins and routines settle back in, you'll have time to share more on the blog again and if not, that's ok, too. Love and hugs!

I've been around since your divorce, and when I'm having a off day, or just need a pick me up. I head over to your blog, for daily motivation, and inspiration. I love how you've evolved into the person you are and I can't wait to see what's in store for you next. I did sort of freak out thinking this was a goodbye, but I love your monthly digital kits, December daily, week in the life, and I can't wait for december daily this year. Sometimes we just have to reinvent ourselves, some people may not like it but others will evolve right along with you.

I love this. I found you in 2008 and I’ve loved seeing your life and your business evolve. You’ve helped me tell my story to myself (if that makes sense) which I feel has helped me live more mindfully and authentically. Wherever you’re going next, I’m going with you. 💕

I agree with the comments from nerdgirl that there seems to be less stories about your life e.g. wellness journey, behind the scenes re your business, scrapbooking/PL techniques etc than there used to be and they only seem to be mentioned when in specific product-related posts. I know that is due to an evolving business but some of us miss the intimacy of relating to specific details of your life, and therefore the connection and interest in your products. I like the 'currently', 'around here' and 'weekend lens' type of posts too, which prob wouldn't take a lot of time.

I have been following you since late 2009. I found that you were (and continue to be) a perfect fit for my style of memory keeping. I have purchased many of your products and classes over the years. Everything naturally evolves over time and this is to be expected. Social media has evolved as well. I believe it has become a double edged sword. Good and the bad.
There are no easy answers here about sharing your story but I understand your need to take a step back and evaluate as your story continues to evolve.
I thank you for talent and wisdom in making me a better memory keeper for my family.

I have also been here since the beginning. I love your style and honesty. Your creative talent is awesome and never ceases to amaze me. I also appreciate the time you take to explain how you came about certain ideas and how you got to the 'completed' project. However, I also have felt in these past few years that your blog has been aimed mainly at advertising your products, advertising workshops that I just wish I had the money to attend. You have worked hard to get at where you are, I understand that. But there are times when I miss the 'simpler' times ... beautifully written stories and designed pages that inspired me to "write" and "create" with what is most important. I have subscribed to your kits and will continue to do so; in my opinion, they are the best and most real. Thank you for all you do ~ I continue to wish you the best always!

I've followed you from the beginning, I have many many of your products they are amazing and I constantly use them over and over again, also love the new stuff that is always coming in. the projects I love the most are "A Day in the Life" Week in the Life and "December Daily, have many unfinished projects that is ok, I'll get to them some day. I feel there are many similarities in life like you but different if that makes sense. I've always find it difficult to write the hard parts of life even though I know that is life I know what ever you do you always do 100%. I've enjoyed your posts I admire you, your inspirational, so many things that make you, you, are so willing to share change happens and that is life hope you are still going to be around sending love your way

I love this and I am so thankful you wrote it. I haven't been following you for as long as others have, I don't usually comment, but I love that you always 'do you'. I decided last night that I am going to start telling my stories in a new way. I am still going to do Project Life for our family but I am going to "begin again" telling my stories in journal form. I used to love to write and I have found over the past several years I have missed it so much. I might miss a day or not have too much to say but I am going to make every effort to show up and put MY stories in writing! Thank you for all you do to inspire so many!