Every time I teach the Love Affair Workshop with Davina, Kelly and Millie I always walk away with so much information for myself from their teaching. I have pages of notes from the last three years that we have been doing these workshops, and most of them have to do with photography, but this year I took away so much more for my own life outside of photography.
What do I want to do during my life? What do I want to be about? I have found that the last 5 years have flown by me and most of what I can account for it is just making money, working 40-60 hours a week and traveling for other people. Don't get me wrong, I mean this is the American Dream and I have been blessed to partake in it, but it is slowly not becoming my own dream any longer. I have exhausted this way of life and have found that is lacking. You will always want to make more money no matter how rich or poor you are, but time is something you will never get back. The farm life interests me so much. If I could choose anytime to live it would be the early 1900s when everything was centered around working the land with your family. I want time with my family back and I want a few chickens, a mini donkey and a mini horse along with it:). It is sad to think that I have lived in Stillwater for 2 months now and have not made time to see my in-laws who live 4 miles away in weeks. Did I move from the Lubbock rat race just to repeat the same pattern a state away? Things have got to change.
I want to decide who I want to be (farm girl? Mom? Foster parent?), what I want my life to be remembered by (besides a photographer), and live my passion whatever it may become.
I am going to be very pro-active in finding my new vision for life.
Davina always teaches on time/life balance and frankly I hardly ever chime in to give my input because I am not balanced. I get up and work on the computer from 9AM-9PM, watch a movie with Josh, sleep and then start it all over again. Soon I realize that weeks, months and even years have flown by.
Here are the steps I am going to take to take back my life so that the next 5 years don't run away without me being in control... (and I learned them all from you three!)
-Wake up at 8 AM
-Read/pray/journal
-Read 1 chapter in a book I love
-Make my bed
-Start a load of laundry and a little house work
-Open the windows in the house or if I have extra time, take a walk
-Set business hours for myself so that I will try harder to stay on task. My new hours are 10-4 M-F.
-Make time for someone you love during the day
-Go to bed early
So far I have done all of these things and my day feels like I am in control of it. What are you doing to live life intentionally today?
Thank you for posting this. I married my best friend this past July 31st and we moved to a new town (where I know no one) for him to start his dream job and I have gotten busier with my photography, which is all great! But in the past 2 months I've felt a little lost. I feel like I'm at my computer all day long and haven't made the time to be a newlywed, like I should. I'm going to work on setting my daily schedule, like you have, to make sure I make time to connect with the things that really matter in my life. Thanks again.
(09.20.10 @ 10:10 PM)I started waking up with my husband at 6:30AM to make (and eat) breakfast with him before he goes to school. It's EARLY,...I know. But we're so exhausted & in zombie mode by evenings, it's nice to enjoy our time together in the mornings. Plus, it forces me to start my day early & get more done when he leaves.
(09.20.10 @ 10:20 PM)Glad to know I am not the only one. I have recently started doing the same thing, except I am working on getting up at 5:00am. Today it was 5:15. I wrote a blog post about it this weekend at http://dchristan.net, but it appears to be down at the moment (I am on with tech support right now!).
Another site you may find helpful is one that I was reading yesterday about this very subject. http://michaelhyatt.com/creating-a-life-plan.html Great info.
Best of luck.
(09.21.10 @ 06:14 AM)Thanks for the inspirational post!
(09.21.10 @ 12:37 PM)I've found it a continually work in progress. I always say "I know there's a balance because I see it when I swing by." At least you're aware of your issues! That's a step in the right direction.
(09.21.10 @ 01:05 PM)Thanks so much for teaching us more than just photography! I learned a lot from you, Lauren! Hope I get to see you at a reunion sometime soon ;).
(09.21.10 @ 02:51 PM)LOVE this post! It is so, so true. I went from practicing law in Washington, DC, to living and still working a full-full time professional job in WI. things change for sure after you get married, but nothing prepares you for how your life changes once you have children. I now have two children--and just about a year ago, I quit living the professional job to stay home with my kids and pursue the job that I absolutely loved...photography. My photography has made steady and gradual progress; but I'm enjoying every little change that I see in my kids every single day! I love the simple, country life that I live in this small nowhere town! Even with all these changes I needed this post! I need a schedule for myself--to keep myself--to be the wife, mom, and Godly woman that I was meant to be. Am going to work on this tomorrow! Thanks for posting!!
(09.21.10 @ 08:30 PM)Thank you for this post, Lauren. You've reminded me that I need to get back to the basics as I chase my dreams. I love you, buddy.
(09.22.10 @ 06:09 PM)Hey girl, I'm proud of you! I'm so encouraged to see all your growth lately. I love you! xox
(09.22.10 @ 06:45 PM)This seriously brought tears to my eyes. I love every word of it. I just wanted to say I hope it works for you. It takes so much to stand up and admit that you need to change. I've done the same thing recently. My business was just started in March 2010... but I've already felt the lack of control of my life outside of Photography. I went into the business knowing it can take over your life if you let it, so I have been determined to stay on track. It's worked for the most part, but occasionally I feel myself slipping. Fortunately (as I'm sure you do, too), I have a wonderful husband, who reminds me when I start slipping away from him and our precious two-year-old son. =)
GOOD LUCK =)
(09.23.10 @ 01:33 AM)I feel compelled to respond to this post because it reflects a similar thing occuring with me. Time has a way of passing by very quickly. We often find ourseleves going along in the rat race and before we know it it does control us rather than we controlling it. We try to define ourseleves in some way or another, but we often make the mistake of limiting the distinction to one or two, when in fact it can be most or all. I am a photographer, father, husband, friend, and brother. I am a farm boy and a city boy. I am a teacher and a student. Remember, you can be anything. In the end try to just be remembered as someone who really lived. I love your work, and have so since I started following your blog. Keep up the great work.
P.S. One thing I like to do is I walk outside into the sunshine, close my eyes, and just listen to the world. Sounds campy I know..but its awesome!
(09.23.10 @ 09:24 AM)Balance is extremely difficult! I have a 5yo daughter so trying to be with her and do my work is difficult. I've had to take time when I get it which can be frustrating. Now that she's in school I find that I'm still doing things that way, chaotic. I know that I need to set a routine for myself but it's been hard to do so. You have inspired me to get it together!! :)
(09.24.10 @ 07:26 PM)Lauren,
(09.26.10 @ 08:36 PM)You always inspires me! Always! You were the first photog blog I started to follow and I never get tired of coming here!
I can totally relate to what you said, 'If I could choose anytime to live it would be the early 1900s when everything was centered around working the land with your family...'
I hope you find true balance and what you are looking for :)
God bless you and Josh :)