Digital Nesting: A New Parent's Guide to Memory Management
Nesting is a cherished rite of passage for expecting parents. From designing the nursery to picking out adorable onesies, it’s all about preparing for the arrival of your new baby. But have you heard of digital nesting?
We spoke with Certified Professional Photo Organizer and Mae Co-Founder Nichole Healy about how to prepare for the explosion of photos and videos that come with parenting. Let’s explore how digital nesting can help you organize, preserve, and truly enjoy your family’s most precious moments.
What Is Digital Nesting?
When your baby arrives, you’ll inevitably find yourself snapping photos and videos non-stop. Did you know that parents take an average of 3,000 photos and videos per year? During a baby’s first year, that number skyrockets to nearly five times as much!
Digital nesting is all about creating systems for managing these memories so you can reduce stress, avoid clutter, and actually make use of the special moments you capture.
How to Start Your Digital Nesting Journey
Organizing digital memories might feel overwhelming, but breaking it into three steps can make it manageable:
- Backup: Choose a cloud provider to securely store and centralize your family’s photos and videos.
- Manage: Develop a routine for curating and organizing memories in real time.
- Print: Bring your favorite memories into the physical world with prints, books, or albums.
Don’t Just Back Up—Centralize
Backing up your photos and videos is crucial, but the real magic lies in centralizing them. By pooling all family photos into one shared location, you can avoid “camera roll lockdown” and ensure everyone’s contributions are easy to access.
Recommendation: Use Amazon Photos, which allows shared storage with your partner or spouse. This makes curating your best moments from the entire family’s collection easier and ensures nothing is left out.
Curate in Real Time
A cluttered photo collection can make even cherished memories feel overwhelming. By curating in real time, you can stay on top of your growing library and focus on the moments that matter most.
- Decide on a regular schedule for sorting photos. Monthly or quarterly works well for most parents.
- Choose 12–20 of your favorite moments each month and move them into a dedicated album, such as Baby’s First Year or Best of 2024.
- Use your backup provider (like Amazon Photos) to curate photos from your shared family library.
Share Your Favorite Photos With Your Village—Securely 💜
Once you’ve curated your favorite memories, don’t let them stay hidden in the cloud! With a Villie Baby Pages, you can share milestones and moments with your loved ones—all while keeping your family’s privacy protected. Villie allows you to create a personalized page where you can upload photos, track milestones, and share updates, all within a secure platform. You control who gets access, ensuring your family’s memories stay safe while still connecting your village to your baby’s journey. Start your Baby Page today and share the joy, on your terms! Oh, and it's free!
Why Tangible Memories Matter
Once you’ve curated your digital collection, don’t let your memories sit in the “digital void.” Printing your photos turns them into something tangible, sparking connection and storytelling for your family.
Ideas for Printed Memories:
- Baby’s First Year Book: Capture your baby’s milestones in a customized baby book.
- Family Yearbooks: Create an annual keepsake that chronicles your family’s biggest moments.
- Monthly Print Subscriptions: Get printed photos delivered to your door to enjoy as a family.
When memories are accessible and visible in your home, they come alive and deepen your family bonds.
References
- Amazon Photos: Features and Benefits
- Photo Curation Tips by The Photo Managers
- Mae – Memory Management for Families
You’ve Got This!
Digital nesting might sound daunting at first, but by taking small, intentional steps, you’ll set yourself up for memory management success.
- Backup your family’s photos securely.
- Manage your collection by curating it regularly.
- Print your favorite memories to create lasting, meaningful keepsakes.
Parenthood is filled with fleeting moments you’ll want to hold onto forever. By embracing digital nesting, you’ll not only preserve these memories but also enjoy them in ways that connect your family to your shared story.
Start your digital nesting journey today, and fall in love with your memories all over again. 💜
Thank you for being part of the Villie family 💜
