Turning Everyday Wins Into Beautiful Memories

One Step at a Time: Turning Life Challenges into Artful Memories

October 2023 Digital Scrapbooking Challenge page by Vicki RobinsonLife has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? Sometimes they’re big, life-altering moments that leave you breathless, and other times, they’re the kind of challenges that slowly chip away at your sense of normalcy. For me, these past two years have been filled with more than my fair share of those moments.

On one of my recent digital art journal pages, I poured my heart out in a way that only art journaling allows. The journaling reads:

“Lots of things happening in my life have convinced me that not all personal victories are the kind that others would appreciate — but that doesn’t mean they are any less valid.”

And oh, how true that is.

This month marks two years since my husband’s first back surgery. It wasn’t just one; he had three surgeries in 18 months. Then I had my own brush with health issues—a basal cell removal, followed by worsening leg and back problems that kept me from walking or sitting comfortably for any length of time. In the midst of all this, we clung to the hope of returning to our long walks, those 3-mile strolls we loved so much in the “before times.”

But life had other plans.

We started small, walking together to support one another in case the pain struck unexpectedly. We had made it close to the one-mile mark when my back gave out. It was discouraging, to say the least. But I began physical therapy, worked on building strength, and am now preparing for steroid injections that should help me even more.

And then came TODAY.

Today, I walked a mile and a half all by myself. Yes, BY MYSELF. I can’t even begin to explain the joy and triumph I felt. For someone else, it might seem like just a little walk—but for me, it was a monumental step forward.

Capturing the Journey Through Art

This moment was so personal, so significant, that I turned to my art journal to express it. Using my digital scrapbooking collection, Artful Memories Today, I created a page that tells this story in a way words alone couldn’t.

Art journaling has always been my sanctuary. It’s a safe space where I can process my emotions, celebrate victories big and small, and even sit with the sadness when it’s too heavy to carry in silence. This page, in particular, was about celebrating resilience—mine and my husband’s—and embracing the power of taking one step at a time.

Why Art Journaling Matters

Here’s the thing about art journaling: it doesn’t just capture what’s happening in your life—it gives you the freedom to process how you feel about what’s happening. It’s messy and imperfect, and that’s what makes it beautiful. I can blend colors to match my mood, layer textures to symbolize complexity, and use words to anchor the meaning behind it all.

For this page, I chose elements from Artful Memories Today that felt hopeful and empowering. Gentle colors, layered textures, and meaningful word art came together to reflect my journey—one of struggle, persistence, and, ultimately, joy.

Sharing Your Story

If you’ve ever felt like your victories don’t “count” because they’re invisible to others, let me tell you this: they do count. Whether it’s walking a mile and a half for the first time in years, tackling a daunting task, or simply getting through a tough day, those wins are worth celebrating.

And if you’re an art journaler — or a scrapbooker —  like me, I encourage you to create a page for those moments. Document the challenges, the triumphs, and everything in between. Trust me, there’s something deeply healing about seeing your journey laid out in vibrant colors and heartfelt journaling.

So, here’s to walking the path, no matter how long it takes. One step at a time, one page at a time, we can turn our challenges into artful memories worth cherishing.

Let’s celebrate our “big little” wins!

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