How do I start?

If you have been thinking about making an album, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the task. Where do you start? what do you include? how can you make it 'real'? what if it upsets people?

The first thing to remember is this -- make the album for the person it's for. If you're making it for a friend or loved one, then keep their wishes in mind, and don't worry about anyone else!

If you're doing it for yourself, then you have no-one else to please but yourself.
There is no right or wrong way to proceed. You have to follow your heart. You can include anything you want to. You can leave out anything you want to. You can write as little or as much as you wish. You can decide who will see it. You can take as long as you need to.

Secondly, remember this -- making the album will stir up emotions. Be prepared. If you can, talk to someone about how it's making you feel. Maybe you will even want to journal about making the album, and use this as part of the story you're telling.
You may need to take it one small step at a time, or you may find it therapeutic to create something beautiful for this person you loved and have lost.
Hopefully, as you go on, the beautiful album you are creating, and the gift of remembering your loved one, will help to ease the pain a little.