Today we are diving into the topic of how to create a routine with memory keeping. We all know how easy it is for some of our favorite tasks to be pushed to the back-burner for a multitude of reasons. We become busy, we’re too tired, there isn’t enough time in the day, and so on. Before you know it, it’s been months or maybe even years since you’ve last done anything to memory keep.

Struggles that people often experience in creating a routine:

Not having enough time
You’re already behind and lack motivation
Too Tired

Remember Your “Why”

Refresher of what OUR mission statements are for memory keeping from Episode 001 - Finding your Why

Danyell: to document the every day for my family and turn simple moments into memories so we have a life to look back on for years to come
Katie: to remind my family that in this seemingly perfect world it’s the messy, authentic, and real moments that matter most

Steps to Creating a Routine:

1. Remember Your End Goal

What are you trying to create in the long run? This will help you figure out how to delegate your time. Reference Episode 002 - Getting Started

2. Figure out how much time you need to do a portion of your memory keeping

Think about “how long does it take me to upload my photos to my computer, edit them, categorize them and put them in my family album design?” If you aren’t sure how long it takes you, time yourself using your stopwatch one evening!

3. Find/Make Time in your schedule

Ask yourself questions like “What do you do in the evenings? Or what do I do when the kids have quiet time?" Are you endlessly scrolling on social media? If you don't have time in your busy schedule already, make time. It doesn't have to be 1-2 hours, but maybe 15-30 mins a week?

Tips on Making Time:

- Plan for it - Put it on your calendar and set a reminder.

- Tell your spouse or family member so they can help motivate you/remind you!

- Find someone else who loves memory keeping and set aside some time every week or once a month even to have a “Memory Keeping date”!

- Carve out little pockets of time throughout your week or a few hours a month

- BE CONSISTENT! Set up a routine or plan. Example: Every Wednesday evening I’ll work on memory keeping for 30 mins. Or every Saturday morning I will take photos of my kids for 15 mins.

RECAP

Challenge - This week we want to challenge you to write out your routine--on a paper on a note on your phone. Just get it written down.

Next week's podcast is: Next week’s podcast will be all about how to catch up. We mentioned that a struggle people often experience is feeling like they're too far behind, so next week we'll address this and give you some tips and tricks for catching up. Be sure to join us next week!