As most of you know, Ali Edwards annual Week In the Life documentary project starts tomorrow. I’ve been watching her do this project over the years and I’m just in awe of it all – from the crazy intense process (carrying a camera around all day, remembering to include yourself in the snapshots, diligently being “present” and taking note of what is happening around you) to the end result (an album filled precious candid moments, rich with details of the simple everyday things – details that would most likely be forgotten otherwise). I want that album. I will definitely do Week In the Life this year but it will most likely be in the Fall. Wish I could be starting tomorrow, following along with everyone, but I just don’t think I can swing it right now.
I especially love that Ali will be focusing on the time of day and using it as a journaling prompt this year. I used a similar approach in my twenty ten album and loved the results. Journaling is definitely my weakest strengths. Most of the time I just don’t know what to write about, what story to tell. I’m also terrible when it comes to capturing the everyday details because well….they are so every day and routine and I don’t think twice about them. Using time as a journaling prompt helped me to see the everyday so that I could write about it.
I looked over our twenty ten album yesterday and was surprised by how much details of our “everyday” routine in 2010 I’d forgotten already and how different our “everyday” looks now. In that respect, last year seems so far away, yet when I read the journaling, it brought me right back to that moment like it was yesterday.
10:29 AM SO FAR TODAY You drank give ounces of milk, napped for one hour and twenty minutes, played with your elephant rattle and practiced crawling around your room.
NEXT FEEDING 11:00 AM
10:40 AM EXPLORING NEW TERRAIN You spent the morning crawling around your room following your stuffed toy, Monkay, around and enjoying your new found mobility
8:29 AM A TYPICAL WEEKDAY MORNING
Audrey – In the kitchen watching morning cartoons on PBS and eating breakfast – usually a sippy cup of soy milk, toast and fresh fruit. Today’s fruit was strawberries (your favorite).
Me – Keeping Audrey company at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and checking emails on my laptop.
Madeline – Taking her morning nap.
I’m happy to have these little minute details from 2010 recorded and can’t wait to do Ali Edwards’ A Week In the Life.
Are you in this year?
Totally geeked to start this tomorrow. I have my camera and notepad ready – but I’m hoping you’ll keep me on track because you know how scatterbrained I am.
I’m jealous that you’re starting tomorrow! I really really wish that I could put everything on hold so I can do this while Ali (and everyone) is doing it too. I think my album would turn out so much better this way.
Oh well, at least I’ll have fun watching you do yours. 🙂
I’m all geared up to start tomorrow!! I can’t wait!!!
Can’t wait to see what you do too Rebecca. Did you join the AWITL community at Big Picture? I might do that just to follow along and see what everyone is doing.
Ooohh… no I haven’t! I will do that right now!! 🙂 Thanks for suggesting it!
Sigh. No. For me, it’s just one more thing I’ve love to do but feel guilty because I’m missing out on it… 😛
In other news, I’m excited because I just ordered a book that Peppermint recommended on the Digi Show–the one about Mommas and journaling. I’m excited to soak that message in. 😀
HAHA Nicole! Funny thing to be feeling guilty about but that’s the way I am too. And I ordered that same book.
Hi! What book are you referring to? Would love to check it out. Thanks!
Hi Cindy,
the book is Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues.
Thank you!
Please let us know when you do A Week in the Life! I can’t do it next week either. I’ve only done it once but I think it’s so important to do the every day little things.
I’ve never heard of this…sounds intriguing. I know I won’t have time to get myself together. I like your idea about the fall. Maybe you could get a group together…hint, hint.
i’m totally in this year!
and really curious to see how your album is going to be – love your style, liz!
I have to wait two weeks, as this week is anything but typical. I want to capture how our evenings usually go, and that just won’t be possible this week or next. I, too, hate to be out of the loop with everyone else. Then again, we can soak in all the cool documenting ideas and really be ready when our week hits! Thanks for all your inspiration; love that 2010 album!
I am in. First time and boy am I nervous! I have the album and pages waiting, just need to remember to take the pictures…and enough of them. Hoping everyone else will help with the inspiration, but I am very excited to be doing this.
I am so in!!! I LOVE your book from last year. I think I will be doing mine more paper scrap style using the Project Life inserts. 🙂 Cannot wait to see your pages this year.
Is it bad that I started on Sunday since I like it to be the first day of the week?
LOL
It’s officially tomorrow now for me! This is my first time doing AWITL (heck, the first time I’m doing such heavy documenting EVER) and I’m so excited! I’m sorry you can’t do it now, but look forward to your future album 🙂
something i know i should be doing but i cant squeeze it in my daily schedule. i’ll just lurk around 🙂 i’ll just have my notebook and pen ready all the time so i can still record our everyday or every week life happenings 🙂
Wow, this helps motivate me too! Thanks for the tips on Week in the Life. Paislee Press templates + Week in the Life concepts = memories to cherish for a lifetime. Can’t wait to get started.
I love, love, love the images from your twenty ten album. Huge fan of your gorgeous design work in general!