Week In The Life™ 2026 | Monday
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This year for Week In The Life™ I'm really trying to practice the same encouragement I would give someone in the middle of a challenging time: capture what you can + let the rest go.
I'm using my phone for photos and using my Notes app to jot down thoughts and feelings throughout the day. My days right now are needing maximum flexibility as I continue the journey with my parents - some things I can share and some things aren't meant to be shared in this season.
I wrote on Instagram Monday morning that my intention for this project this time around is to capture the "fullness" of my life right now. I landed on that word because it nods to abundance and to overwhelm.
One part of my life is full of heavy, raw things that include navigating dementia and layers of family dynamics and second-guessing and parent child roles reversing and grief and lots of bumping up against personal growth progress I've made in my own adult relationships.
The other part of my life is full to the brim with things to celebrate: a kind, supportive, loving husband and fun teenagers (with all their own unique circumstances and paths and challenges and wins) and awesome pets that bring comfort + joy and so many peonies + cottage rose blooms and fulfilling creative work.
I have so much gratitude for this life I'm living, even when it's hard to hold it together. Life right now is so very full. Heavy and light. Heavy and light. Heavy and light.
You might know this season or something like it. You might be in a very different place in your life. I've done this project in tough times, including during my divorce. The reality is I've done this project through all kinds of chapters of my life - every year since 2005 - that's all the years of Anna's life - and it's always, always been worth it to me.
There have been years when I've focused on playing with photography (photo angles, light/dark, etc) and years when I've used daily themes/lenses to guide my storytelling. This year I'm simply picking up my phone as I navigate my day to mark moments and capture fullness: the heavy and the light.
In past year's I've spent time editing my photos before uploading them into this post but this year I'm going to share the images straight out of my camera. When I put them into my album after the documenting week is over I'll edit and crop and play to tell the story of this time.
Thank you for being a part of this adventure. Thanks for letting me share the parts that are hard and the parts that are easy and the parts that are joyful and the parts that make me want to crawl back into bed. I hope you are able to read my words and view my photos as simply what's real for me during this one week in my life.
Here's what I captured today in photos:
If you are just coming across this post and this project you are invited to join! This is our "official" community documenting week for 2026 but you can dive in and capture one week in your life any time.
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17 comments
Thank you so much for sharing. The hard and the beautiful. And how they coexist. Thank you for sharing some things so deeply personal as I know this life is especially right now. I love your photos and stories and they inspire me deeply.
Replies to margievis
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Yes yes yes. I too am phone only this year. I had made that plan already but your term of 'fulness' resonated so hard. My Mom has been in and out of hospital all year, and I believe she's also starting to have some memory loss. Things are full there. As I mentioned on IG yesterday we unexpectedly got evacuated due to wildfires, with literally 5 minutes notice. We are ok. That's what matters. The house is ok. I'm full of fear, uncertainty, gratitude and so much more. Sometimes we need the unexpected to help us appreciate the little joys in life. This project has become one of those small joys. Documenting that fulness, seeing you capture it - inspiring.
Replies to Di - Creative Karma Design
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Yes! You got this Ali. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us all. Your photos and words always deeply inspire me and to just remember to take the "damn" photo and just let it be. :)
P.S. I just picked up the same pink ray bans from Costco the other week and I love them.
Replies to kruth29
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Thanks for sharing your photos and story they truly inspire me. I noticed some different shots and it seems appropriate for the season you are in. Fullness really hit the nail on the head for me too.
Replies to Untiedt
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I really need the story about the microwave!!! LOL!!!!
Replies to deniseweatherby
A kid who will remain nameless blew up some popcorn in there and the fire alarm went off at 2:30am (this was a couple nights ago).
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Thank you for sharing!
Replies to asackr01
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I love your very real, raw photos you’ve captured on the first day! To have put together this project every year Anna has been alive is quite a feat!!!
Can I ask if you have any special settings selected on your phone’s camera? I think the colors already look gorgeous w/o any editing. :)
Replies to knmshearer
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Thank you for your wonderful sentiments. My mom is 88 and has Alzheimer's, so I'm right there with you, but still participating.
Replies to kimlwolfe
My mom is 88 and has Alzheimer’s too. It’s a lot to navigate. Joy and grief. Thinking of you and Ali. 💕
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Some days the best we can do is put one foot in front of the other. Thank you for always encouraging us to document those days and reminding us that life can be hard and beautiful at the same time.
Replies to thetates
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Thank you, Ali. Such beautiful and heartfelt captures despite the hard. 💕
Replies to Jeannew
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Beautiful and real photos and words. Thank you Ali! Sending hugs often to you.
Replies to dawnmi
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Ali, I am very much in this type of season, and have been for the last two years are so. I know this is incredibly incredibly difficult for you, but I want you to know that I sincerely appreciate your being raw and vulnerable with us. So we can feel seen and so you can feel seen.
We can do hard things. ❤️
Replies to kelsterjean
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Fullness - that is exactly the word for my life right now too. My dad, who has dementia, moved in with my husband and me Feb 2025. It’s been quite the year+. I have not done WITL to the point that I actually got the photos in the album. This year I decided that since my father is 99 and lives with us, I should take this opportunity to document everything. He won’t be around and he won’t know me in the future. So I was truly drawn to documenting this year. You are an inspiration to me and your words actually calm me. Thank you and hang in there. All we can do is take each day as it comes. Thinking of you Ali!
Replies to jstock17
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Replies to User56362
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What kind of tree in in the photo below the one of Aaron in your office? It's a gorgeous tree!
Replies to MrsB30
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