The Journey, not the Destination

When we start our lives we live honestly - it is all about what makes us happiest! We are three years old and cracking iced over puddles because it gives us joy. We are five and running outside in an afternoon rain show pretending to fight bad guys. Flash forward and we are twelve and hanging out with friends and fighting the influences of our parents and the adults saying we have to be more responsible and things are expected of us.

As adults (and young adults who still need a more "adult" Adult) we lose the joy that used to be in living our lives. I don't mean unattainable things like " I don't live in a mansion surrounded by 100 cats/dogs & a tower of money like Scrooge McDuck" or "I'm not where I want to be in my career". I mean simple actions like stopping and deciding that today we are just going to eat lunchables and drink wine because that's what fourteen year old us thought adults did! [I have the Adult Birthday Sessions to prove this - we all just want a cake smash and wine as adults because damnit why should kids get all the fun!]

Bills are coming, they do every month. Chores still need to get done, but do they need to be done every day? I have recently reflected that for my own peace (and sanity) that yes, chores still need to be done every few days. But there is nothing wrong with going a little off book either to enjoy something!

Excuse the phone picture - we took an opportunity and my nine year old snapped it! *proud momma*

Self Portraits are hard because I am not always sure the girl I see is living that life. I want to but going off book is hard. I am not saying it is easy to change years of pattern and behavior.

It isn't.

So we start small.

We made a 2021 Aspirations Board on January 01, 2021. It is filled with ideas. I refuse to make resolutions because it always makes me feel like I'm a step behind and like I am failing at something. The Board simply states, in bright, Gold, metallic ink " Try New"

So we do. We have a new adventure under our belt. My son has tried two new things in a month (*I know- I was proud as heck*) & I was right there with him supporting him and doing it too. We are going to be brave and courageous and do the new things simply because we want to.

So what new thing do you want to try this year? Is it fitness related? Is it reaching out to someone? Do you want to try a new hobby/activity but previously weren't ready? Maybe you want to get your first set of pictures done. Whatever your "new thing" is - Do it! Be so amazingly courageous and enjoy that journey.

It was never about crushing the ice in the puddle to get to the water underneath. It was the sheer joy of the act itself and that feeling it brought us. Enjoy your journey this year on a zig zag pattern that over laps with so many other journeys, don't worry as much about the destination.

-- Lana

your photographer