I’ve always been confused by that expression. Does it mean you can’t see the forest because the trees are in the way? Or that you don’t appreciate the trees that are in the forest? I’ve heard it used so many ways.
Whatever it is, I think I did that with scrapbooking. I’ve gotten so into it that I can’t see out of it. So caught up on little individual layouts that I lose the vision. It’s been so crazy this past year, with HOF and PKPT and projects and stuff (not to mention having a baby, moving, and basic maintenance of 4 kids!) that I kind of wandered off what I started doing this for. I still like my layouts, I still do them for me and not for publication, but I’ve started to worry about dumb stuff. Like being on design teams or trying to get more "out there", bigger projects…being "cool."
And I’m tired of it. Who cares? Really, I enjoy making friends and having that aspect, but most of all I love being creative. And it shouldn’t matter if I start feeling like someone is more creative than me, or has a better gig than me and let myself feel diminished by that. When I sit down to do a layout, I love that feeling of accomplishment. Regardless of who else is fabulous, I’m going to focus more on being happy with my work. I’ve been lucky that others have appreciated it, but really, that’s not what’s important. So if I never get on another design team again, never get published again, that’s ok…It’s about the forest…or the trees…or…whatever. 
P.S. I’m feeling so much better today…I wasn’t fishing for compliments yesterday, but I got a harvest anyway. Thanks, pals!
20 Comments
“And I’m tired of it. Who cares? Really, I enjoy making friends and having that aspect, but most of all I love being creative. And it shouldn’t matter if I start feeling like someone is more creative than me, or has a better gig than me and let myself feel diminished by that. When I sit down to do a layout, I love that feeling of accomplishment. Regardless of who else is fabulous, I’m going to focus more on being happy with my work. I’ve been lucky that others have appreciated it, but really, that’s not what’s important. So if I never get on another design team again, never get published again, that’s ok…It’s about the forest…or the trees…or…whatever. :)”
Shannon….you spoke from my heart! I have felt so much like that lately! I’ve in fact said as much. When did I stop scrapping for me? I know that isn’t what you said directly…..but it’s exactly how I feel. You are so inspirational in your blog….I totally appreciate it and I thank you! I am very hard on myself and have such esteem issues. I loved scrapping……I do love it…love being creative, love doing this for my children….but I’ve been lost.
LOL!
You rock and must really think I’m a stalker now
Hugs!
Oh Shannon…first of all…I don’t get the forest or tree thing either….what is up with that??
Second…THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this! I have been doing a lot of soul searching since my HOF experience (or lack thereof) this year…and wondering about this whole “keep up with the Jones” attitude I find myself having. To hear it put so well by someone with your success, talent and heart really hits the spot!!
Thanks and btw…I think you are very “COOL”!!
Hugs
Lisa
I’m with you…. it all seems like a blur of green leaves and trunks. Great post today! Something I know I get overconcerned with. Thank you!
i always find it astonishing and intriguing that even the coolest of people doubt themselves and find that they aren’t the coolest… such a fabulous post, shannon.
You are sooooo right! I have recently re-evaluated what I like about scrapping and the rejection part of publishing is NOT it. LOL I like posting my layouts & reading praise and scrapping with others who love it as much as me, not to mention shopping for the stuff & trying new things. Again, no where in there is the part of creating something that is not what I want in hopes that someone else likes it.
Great post!
Moriah
I always wondered about the stress of it all and if it ever got to anyone on HOF or a GG or any of the other design teams. Guess you cleared that one up for me, but it also sounds like you are still very much in this for the right reasons. It is awesome being published, no doubt - nothing beats that phone call when someone says hey, we want your stuff in our magazine, I mean come on - that’s AWESOME! But, I like the person (Cathy Z I think) who said, it’s just pictures, paper and glue… and a whole lot of memories. That’s what it’s all about.
so true my friend…so true. You wrote what I feel often
amen sistah!
Bah! Found you, too!
Shannon you rock. That’s really what it’s all about - being happy with what we’re doing, and not getting lost along the way. Thanks for this post. I do a lot of that soul-searching myself lately.
Hey, just reading your last post. You seriously looked like you’d lost weight today… super fab in your jeans. Of course, we only see each other monthly, and we usually have kids draped across us…
Of course, that would be impossible oh, Master Scrapper…
You know… you never have these feelings when you never win anything… you really ought to try it.
Hi Shannon..popping in over here. You hit the nail on the head about what I hate most about scrapbooking. It’s hard to rise above it and do it/participate in it without being caught up in all that crap. Something I struggle with everyday. EVERYDAY!
It is strange Shannon as I have been feeling EXACTLY like this lately and have said it often to friends. The past few months have been alot of soul searching about why I do this. When I start to dislike it, envy others, or feel inadequate it makes me take pause and reflect on why the heck I do it in the first place? Or more accurately… why I began. I am moving towards a good place right now… I can feel it. With balance and purpose! I can tell you are as well!
Shel
well said , indeed. Its so easy to get off track…and thats so far from where we all started in this endeaver..
Hey you! Long time no talk…on’t even ask me how I stumbled upon your blog…I feel like I’m spying on you now…LOL! Anyway, Amen. I have days where I feel this same way. I’m glad to hear I’m not alone. E-mail me if you ever need to talk. I took a giant leap back from the craziness to reevaluate and refocus. Family is first. Those two kids that wake me up every morning (when I desperately need my sleep) are my purpose…my reason…my everything, and that man lying next to me that rolls out of bed to get them breakfast (so I can get that sleep I crave) is great at helping me to remember what is truly important. Hugs to you…you are such an awesome girl!
I’m with you….
I don’t know a scrapper who doens’t struggle with this from time to time. I think its normal. I just try to enjoy the process and most of the time that’s enough to keep my head and heart in the right place.
Glad I stumbled upon this tonight.
You know you’re pretty awesome, Shannon - the layouts and the attitude.
Lisa
I hope you don’t mind me posting to your blog. I know you through MDW, but don’t really know you (if that makes sense!).
I think it’s all about perspective and it sounds like you’ve found your place. Now, go hug those sweet babies of yours ’cause they are absolutely beautiful!
Just find happiness where you are and success will meet you there!
beth
Shannon- jumping in here…I could have SWORN that I wrote that post…lol. I think we all as scrappers feel this way. I struggled with this SO MUCH lately. Finally I stopped, backed off and decided I was gonna do things MY WAY. I can’t live my life worrying if I will get a page published, or asked to be on a certain design team. I can’t politely dance around things hoping to someday get somewhere. I am gonna do things the way I want to do them and if someone likes it Good..if not….then that is fine too. It is still my work, my blood, my sweat, my tears and in the end that is all it has to be. Scrapbooking is such a creative art form and unique to the individual. We all are good at certain things, have our own trademarks. The moment I saw myself trying to CHANGE the way I do things in order to get something out of it, I decided it was too far gone. I had to stop. I had to go back to me. That is all I can do. I don’t know what magazines are looking for, I dont’ know what it takes to be on those prestigous design teams…but I know what I like and that afterall is the ONLY thing I should consider when making my pages.
Ok…off the soap box here…lol. Just wanted you to know that you weren’t alone!
Candi
Only when I decided just to scrapbook for me and purely for me, did I ever have any “success” in the SB world. I think you do your best work, most creative work when you are unconstrained. It is all entirely subjective and at the end of the day, the only person you should be trying to please is you (or in this case me). We are all on our own individual path, towards self expression, to creativity. Success is relative.