Week In The Life : Monday Morning Thoughts

Makingbed


I forgot how much work (fun "work" of course) this project can be once you get going. The first day is always the most challenging - it gets easier as you get into a groove as the week goes along. I've taken a bunch of blurred shots this morning since it was still pretty dark when we started our day - needing to get out my tripod tomorrow morning or add on the external flash.


Received a great message from my friend Carrie this morning as we were talking about the project, "I think it's important to embrace this even amid life's imperfections...It's easy to say, 'Well, life isn't perfect right now, so my week isn't worth documenting.'  Not true."


BINGO.


Don't beat yourself up if you miss something. If you forget your camera. If your day isn't how you hoped it would be. If you don't write anything down. Hello life, right?


One of the things I am remembering that I love about this documentation process is the awareness of my surroundings that I begin to have again. For awhile, it has been hibernating. I am excited to welcome it back.


As for my writing so far, what is working for me is to have a Word document open on my computer to jot down thoughts/activities as they happen.


Dottedline


Just a note: I am answering questions in the comment section this week as we embark on this project together. Feel free to leave questions and suggestions.


Dottedline


A complete list of posts related to the week in the life project can be found here.

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87 thoughts

  1. Leigh says…
    09/29/2008

    Hi Ali,
    Quick question - I started to upload my photos. Are you editing them right away? I usually edit to 4x6 300 dpi so I can print at costco. What is your process?
    Thanks.
    Leigh

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  2. Jill Sibbald says…
    09/29/2008

    Hey friend :) not sure if this has been asked, but assuming we're using the original 'plan' from your CKC, and the album pages you used, approx how many photos do we need per day ? 10 ?
    Thanks :) Happy week. j

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  3. Heather M. says…
    09/29/2008

    I'm so glad you are doing this. I started this morning as well and while it's been a bit overwhelming at times, it has totally opened my eyes to all the photo possibilities that are in my life right now. Thank you, Ali! Hoping I can stick out the week as I just keep thinking how awesome it will be to look back at this project one day!

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  4. Maggie says…
    09/29/2008

    Personally, I don't take pictures when I'm feeling overwhelmed most of the time. I take them in moments of "breath". Of life happening I don't want to forget and miss. I think a lot of that has to do with learning to live in "grace". Go with what graces and gifts you in the moment...I guess a new discipline may feel like work to some, but overall, it should feed you.

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  5. Maggie says…
    09/29/2008

    Personally, I don't take pictures when I'm feeling overwhelmed most of the time. I take them in moments of "breath". Of life happening I don't want to forget and miss. I think a lot of that has to do with learning to live in "grace". Go with what graces and gifts you in the moment...I guess a new discipline may feel like work to some, but overall, it should feed you.

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  6. Maggie says…
    09/29/2008

    Personally, I don't take pictures when I'm feeling overwhelmed most of the time. I take them in moments of "breath". Of life happening I don't want to forget and miss. I think a lot of that has to do with learning to live in "grace". Go with what graces and gifts you in the moment...I guess a new discipline may feel like work to some, but overall, it should feed you.

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  7. Jenny Rebecca says…
    09/29/2008

    So what do I do if my day is pretty much exactly the same every day?

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  8. Ann says…
    09/29/2008

    Ali, its Ann in Spokane. Worked at Apropos when you taught there. Whoa did I miss something, are you having a girl? Still raising Grandson (Isaiah) I should do this project, a day with him sometimes seems like a lifetime. Love him but man at 60 its hard to keep up with a seven year old boy who is very active. Really related to your comment about Simon coming out of the bedroom with a happy face, Isaiah look as he comes out seems awfully important for us as to how the next hour will be before he gets on bus.

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  9. Linda says…
    09/29/2008

    I started Sat but I only have taken about 7-10 pictures a day!! my work is hard cuz at a hospital confidentiality is so imprtant, since I work long hours it gets hard--any ideas??

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  10. Johanna says…
    09/29/2008

    This project is fun! It will be my first scrapbooking experience and now that I know I'm not on this project journey on my own, it feels much easier to start with. I wondererd for a second if this really is the right moment to start, as I have a deadline for a university project in three weeks and I should be working on it all day long, but then I thought – now or never, I should start BECAUSE I have a lot coming up. Kind of like monitoring my progress, and reminding me of my priorities. Yesterday (Monday) was the first time in weeks, no, months, I felt like having a lunch break, because I had actually been working all morning instead of dawdling along. Wonderful!
    I only noticed what a nice light there is in my bathroom in the morning, too. :)

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  11. Mikki says…
    10/01/2008

    I just discovered all this wonderfulness right now and I am onboard (albeit at few days behind). I'm going to throw a few polaroids into my project to avoid the temptation to include only "good" pictures, something about their permenance is very appealing to me. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  12. Sara says…
    10/01/2008

    I started this project on Monday with a fixed, short focal length lens on my husband's SLR (not that I know much about photography, but this lens takes beautiful pictures of my children's faces). Because I'm too lazy to change the lens, I've been forced to look at the little things, because my camera can't see big things unless I'm 100 yards away! Its kind of nice this way. I don't think I'll change my lens. I'll just have a week of close-ups.
    Thanks for the inspiration (as always).

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