If you’re looking for a fun and simple way to document this upcoming year, I highly recommend the 1 Second Everyday app. This is my second year to use this app and I still love it so much. Like I mentioned last year, this is not the sort of thing that I’d typically be good at. I had to simplify the process wayyy down so that I wouldn’t jump ship. After being so thrilled with my finished product last year, I was determined to stick with it.
If you’re thinking of trying it this year, here are a few tips:
1. Don’t try to get the perfect video. There’s no such thing and when it’s only one second, it truly doesn’t matter that much.
2. Take a video every time you think about it. Even if there is something better or more fun happening later in the day. Don’t wait for that thing you “definitely want to video” because there’s a strong chance you’ll be wrapped up in the moment and forget to shoot it. Believe me, you’ll be happy you videoed anything when you forget to get a video at that big event later.
3. Take extra generic videos that can used on days when you forget. *inserts video of my dogs* These aren’t time sensitive and can be used for the days that you occasionally forget.
4. Take a longer video than you think you need. Then it’s easier to pick a good part. I generally do 10 seconds or so.
5. If you miss a day, keep going. You could miss an entire month and you’d still have 11 other months of video snippets. At the end of the year, you’ll be so happy to have whatever you have, even if you missed a ton.
6. Don’t bother editing videos. Some people brighten their videos before loading them. This is insanity to me and I’d never spend that much time on this. If I overcomplicate it, I’ll drop it altogether. Just load the day’s video and keep rolling.
7. Upload several days at a time. Some of you can probably get a pretty sweet daily habit going. Personally, I sit down and do a few weeks at a time usually. I video each day and then batch add them to the app.
8. Choose shooting horizontally or vertically and try to stick with it. The newest version allows you to more seamlessly combine different layouts. It just generally looks better if you stick with one. I do horizontal.
9. If you have a good photo of a big event and forgot to video, use the photo. It looks a tad different in the mashed video but this is a good way to still include something important when you forgot to snag a video.
10. Include yourself in videos. Whether this is on selfie mode or you ask someone to shoot something for you, be sure you’re in some. YOU DESERVE TO BE SEEN. It’s awkward at first and then it’s not. Remember, you’re only saving one tiny second.
The biggest thing I’ve learned overall, is that done is better than perfect. Could my yearly video be better? Of course! However, keeping it simple means I’ll stick with it and I’m thrilled to have this tangible reminder of what my year entailed, even if it isn’t perfect. Even if I forgot to video some of the more important things. Even if some videos are dark or blurry. Even if I had to fill multiple days with my dogs because I forgot for a week straight. I’m not trying to win any videography awards here. I’m simply documenting my year if a fun way so that I can look back on all of the memories, growth, and changes.
One thing that I’ve noticed after two years is that there are so many small memories that I would have likely forgotten if I didn’t have these videos. I’m not talking baby’s first steps here. I’m talking about the time that we went out in a tornado to get Johnny’s pizza and Zach wore boots with his basketball shorts. We laughed SO HARD that night. Without that little one second video in 2018, I might not remember this. For someone who tends to reflect back on the harder things, these videos remind me how much good was in everyday life. It enables me to celebrate the small things.
So, what do you think? Are you going to give it a shot this year?
If you didn’t get enough, here’s my 2018 video!
