I have a confession to make….
I have been majorly, wonderfully, and inexcusably enjoying life.
We took a much needed blog break the last couple of months. Thank you for your patience as we made this conscious choice to revive, reload, and rejuvenate our sense of creativity. We’ve stayed busy and have been shooting (although not blogging), but personally I have allowed myself to take time when I would have otherwise rushed through life. My motto had become: “Live by the second.” Instead, over break, I’ve enjoyed everyday living, processes, and just soaked up simplicity. Because really, I’m a simple-living girl at heart. And it has been oh-so good.
This winter break did wonders for my soul and personal growth, I tell ya.
A few months back I had a major epiphany. Being a rule follower (it’s my secret type A side), once I’ve established something to be a certain way, it’s a struggle for me to see it any other. Quite unfortunately, I now see that since the inception of our business, I dug a hole for myself with….THE BLOG. I have been stuck in there ever sense. Perhaps you can relate? I own and run my own business, take care of our home, we cook 3 meals a day, and home-school our four kids. Oh….and I had dedicated myself to blogging a preview of every session we shot, typically within 1-2 weeks (no pressure there), and on average spent 15 hours weekly on blog preparation. Huh-what?! I realized I was coveting people who actually enjoyed evenings and weekends. I was working every night, and weekends that weren’t spent shooting were completely dedicated to the computer. This allowed no time to-JUST BE. To breathe. At all.
One day, a 100-lb. brick of wisdom knocked me upside the head. Seriously, what in the world was I thinking?!? Why did I choose to box myself into this? It sucks to be placed in a box, but to wake up to the reality that YOU put yourself there is a whole other level.
We love photography. We love our family. Finding the balance that works between the two is a necessity to us, or else one always gets shortchanged in someway. Let me just say, it hasn’t been the business.
This has been a long needed change, and I feel guilty for letting it go on for so long, but I’m so happy to finally wake-up to this. I plan to blog this year, and often, but the material posted may be different-along with fewer rules placed upon myself. It will serve as a source for what inspires us, and our creative endeavors. Brett and I are excited about this change, and have so many ideas in the works to share.
To those of you out there that support us, follow us, listen, and are sources of inspiration- THANK YOU.
This is just another step down our path…..
jess & Brett
photo by Sarah Rhoads
jess
Artist, wife, mama of four.
Lover of life
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Balance
We’re opening up about our lives and sharing the quest for balance we all struggle with.
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Oh man, I can totally relate! I hate blogging, yet right now I’m running three, how the heck did that happen? :)
For the moment our house is what suffers. Laundry, dishes, and general pickup; but at the end of the day, when we tuck the babies in bed, I don’t even notice the mess, I only am aware of the love within the walls!
Thanks for sharing!
“heart”
Amy
Hi Amy! I know what you mean. We all sort-of “choose” what gets let go of a bit, or it is chosen for us. Personally, I love blogging…I’m in love with connecting with like minded folk, and hearing from them….it’s the TIME and energy it takes to formulate a meaningful post that is rough. Just writing this one, I swear I was interrupted every 30 seconds!! Makes things take much longer than needed. :) Thanks for your comment, dear!
Amen.
Totally can relate as well Jess. You have to find that balance that works for you and it can look totally different for all of us. The only way I do it is to send my editing out. :)
Love to your family and how you inspire us all.
That’s so cool that works for you! I wish it did for me, but I’m too much of a control freak. ;) We have someone help w/house cleaning…that was a HUGE step for us. Still searching for ways to take steps.
Thanks so much for your sweet words, Maya. :)
Proud of you girl!
Backatcha. ;)
Happy you’ve found some peace. Only up from here :)
i’m glad to read about your realization that it’s OK! to deconstruct those self-imposed Type-A walls so that new creativity can flow and replenish your soul. it makes me re-think my own priorities and mode of living as well. thanks for being such an expressive, creative person and for sharing your insights. :)
P.S. what a beautiful photo Sarah took of you!
Thank YOU for the sweet comment, Lisa!
Yes. YES! YESSSS!!!! :D Proud of you. Big time. HUGE time!
Thank you my friend. :)
i’m so happy for you for taking a break! it’s so important for creative people (although our brains NEVER ever ever shut off…. it’s just learning to channel it). personally, i really enjoy blogging. about 2-3 times a week is my average (much more than photogs in my area–so i take pride in that!). it allows me to be creative in so many other ways as well. my brain gets a break from composition through the viewfinder and gets an invigorating workout with creative writing. i may not be the best writer or photographer, but i do it for me. : ) it keeps my mind fresh for when it really counts.
keep on keeping on! i still plan to make a trip to Cincinnati for you to photograph us someday : ) –S
Hi Stacy! Thanks for the sweet words. I hope I didn’t give the impression I don’t like blogging….I guess I did. I really do enjoy it, I just see that it has been such a time sucker, and I know other priorities must come first in my life right now. Still working on the right balance for posting…but if I had the time (and fewer interruptions) I would blog every day! ;)
I look forward to you coming to Cincy for pics someday! :)
you inspire me to be a better person.
That’s very sweet John! Thank you. :)
Thank you for sharing your heart. I’m in the same boat as well. I claimed the word ‘intention’ for 2012…being intentional with my relationships (with God, family, friends), being intentional with our business (including letting go of some things to improve in personal ways which will ultimately improve in business ways ;), and so much more. I know that I will fail time and time again, but I’m thankful that it is almost April and the word ‘intention’ still surfaces each and every day. Life is too short to not take it all in.
Hugs to you! Mel