Are you the type of person who loves to look back and reminisce on memories? Me too! I’ve found that scrapbooking after a big trip is the best and most creative way to relive the memories, conversations, and situations you are a part of while travelling.

While I was abroad a few years ago, I had this grand vision of what my scrapbook filled with European goodies would look like: pages filled with pictures, travel brochures and itineraries. I became obsessed with saving every ticket stub, train pass, food wrapper, restaurant napkin. All of these things became the most precious of commodities to me.

I came back from Europe, printed all my pictures, organized them with all my other collected treasures, spread out everything on the bedroom floor in my college apartment and went at it. While making my scrapbook, I immediately felt nostalgic. It took me back to the days I was in London, Florence, Paris, Barcelona… and it was so fun reliving these special moments in time.

I have since filled three scrapbooks with my travel memories, and plan to fill another of my trip to Europe this Fall. I am grateful to be able to look back and see the pages of my scrapbooks come alive each and every time I look at them.

Here are some scrapbooking tips for newbies!

Stay Organized. Organize your photos into folders on the computer and upload them online, to Google Photos or Shutterfly. This will help you choose the photos you want to print, while simultaneously keeping everything in order.
Appreciate your surroundings. Be attentive to your surroundings. Every place you visit has details worth remembering… take the time to notice them.
Don’t put it off. Don’t let your memories get too blurry! If you wait too long to start the project, the daunting task to get organized may leave you unfocused and with little energy. You’ll thank yourself later.

Be creative while travelling, appreciate what’s around you and don’t put off the task until it’s too late. You’ll be thankful to be able to show your adventures to your family and friends years later.