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working through the pain of finding balance.

Posted in Ramblings on April 25, 2011

I guess you could call it a mini life crisis, but I’d like to think of it more like a deep desire to clean house. My head feels like a freakin’ hoarder lives there and they’re hanging on to everything and buying even more. I literally feel like my days are so busy and I can’t think of anything I do do do (outside of the downtime I thoroughly enjoy having with my daughter, but even then my body often says one thing (because I force it to) and my mind is saying a host of other things (think circus filled with hoarders showing off their stuff as they fly around the air)).

Oh, I sure do love my business. What a blessing, right?

So, I am not wanting it to go away, I’m just needing to clean out some rooms, do a little redecorating, reorganizing, reprioritizing. You know what I mean? Even just a little? No?

Yea, me neither.

And, here is where the problem lies.

I was really (like reallyreallyreally) hoping vacation would bring this cloud of clarity and suddenly I would know exactly what it was I needed to do. That is how so many things operate in my life. I just feel it, I ask God for guidance, I talk to a few people and then I jump. I have few regrets in my life. My way of operating .. well … it just works for me.

But, now I’m a mom and a business owner and in-love with someone I want to be available to anytime he has time off. I’m a DIYer, a sewer, painter. I like to work out in the yard. I really like to start a project and see it finished (weekly (at least)). I want to have more time to cook for us, to learn something new that doesn’t involve photography, to flip mindlessly though magazines and watch movies without multi-tasking.

Can I just say that it kind of annoys me that there seems to be this trend to have all kinds of stuff and then be real unhappy and talk (write/sing/blog) about it? I mean c’mon. Quit buying, adding, doing so much stuff. Give your calendar and  your to-do list a break and enjoy simplicity. Either enjoy social media or delete your accounts. Either enjoy TV or don’t watch it. Either sleep in and enjoy it or wake-up and do something. Either run with your new idea or shelf it. Don’t just complain you don’t have the time to really do what you want to do.

(I may or may not be talking to myself here.)

A dear friend whom is also a bit of a business advisor suggested I maybe take a break from doing photography sessions. She’s a total genius because she always gives me ideas I would never think of (like working through the night and sleeping the next day when my nanny is there because I work really well at night and really poorly during the day). The idea seems ludicrous since my business was started and revolves around photography. And, I get a rush out of showing up for a shoot, feeling like a total loser/fraud and then seeing the final prints on paper.  Ahhh … it’s euphoria every single time.

And, you may think how much time could I possibly spend taking pictures and I’ll say close to none during the winter, but it’s warming up and already I have 4-5 shoots lined up in the next couple weeks.

And, it’s true that it’s hard to conduct sessions when I have to operate life as a single mom (due to my husband’s work schedule, not his lack of involvement in our lives). I’ve already had trouble figuring out how to line-up childcare for these afternoon sessions that will most likely run through dinner time.

So, it’s a thought, but this is, too:

14235606_hhhrddte_c…

And, suddenly I feel like I’m back at square one. I can’t figure out where to start, what to give away, what to keep …

And, (yes, it’s all one, big, fat and,) I stumble upon this and I know it’s true, but ….

15987780_dzekc8p0_c…

but, but …. but … there’s value showing your kids how to work hard doing something you love so much, right?

Right.

It’s all right. It’s all good. It’s all the right decision. Truly. None of it is bad or wrong or better than the other. It’s simply finding the balance.

And, finding peace with the fact that once you become a mother and have another being you are madly and deeply in-love with you have to push all kinds of other people lower on the totem pole. And, that’s not an easy thing to do because everyone is valuable and worthy and important. But, not as important as your family .. my family. And, let’s just say it: yourself (or at least your sanity) … myself, my sanity.

So, we’re home now and vacation is wrapping up and here I am thinking of this sweet couple rooting me on.

16031552_1exnmanr_c…

I will not give up.

I will figure something out.

I have to.

When I turn 40 (10 years from now) what will I have done with my 30′s? Life flies (it’s really rather ridiculous/annoying). I want to set goals and not waste so much time doing stuff that is fruitless.

You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?

It’s just hard, that’s all.

xo,

jc

  • Linni

    Jessica!

    1. Give yourself a break…don’t be so hard on yourself :-)

    2. You’ll ‘drop’ the whole business woman thing when your daughter calls your ‘mommy works’ – (i nearly rolled the car!)

    3. When Charley grows up, she will only remember the time you spent with her…nothing else.

    4. You on the other hand, will wonder what can/must/should/want/did i do…where

    you’ve been the best you, that you can be. Which is all Charley and Corey wants.

    don’t be so hard on yourself… teehee..get an iphone and start taking only photos with your iphone…makes you sooooo lazy and more present…and it’s kind of great!

    where you are right now, and what you are doing right now, is enough. perfectly enough. you are allowed to let some things ‘slide’…

    xx

  • Christina W.

    Ugh, I SO know what you’re talking about. The “let me talk about how annoying all the things I do are (insert: social media, blog, work, etc.)” trend also wearing me down. THEN DON’T, I say. But I am guilty, and trying to cut it the heck out.

    Also, psyched to see one of the Parsons’ “Don’t Give Up” images here – one of my dearest friends’ brother is one half of that awesome team.

    Thanks for always being so refreshing and real, Jess. (and sorry I don’t comment more, trying to be less of a stalker …)

  • http://amycraftphotography.com AmyC

    I totally hear ya Jessica! Balance is so hard. Can you just limit the # of sessions you take? Say, 1 per week? I know that’s also difficult but I agree with you when you said “there’s value showing your kids how to work hard doing something you love so much”. Have you ever been to Ashley Anne’s site? She gave it up to spend time with her kids and look where her creativity has gotten her…..she’s inspired so many people for so many reasons!

  • http://www.503photography.com admin

    @Linni – actually taking pics for just myself and my family is uber-satisfying. And, I feel like it’s incredibly meaningful. But, you’re right. I think I just need to chill out a bit. Unfortunately, that’s so dang hard when you’re Type A and obnoxious like myself. ;)
    @Christina – you can’t be a stalker when you’re a friend so paaa-lease!
    @Amy – I think of Ashley from Under the Sycamore all of the time! She is a beautiful example of how to balance work, passions and motherhood. Love her for that.

  • http://www.503photography.com admin

    @Christina – oh, and! you being connected to the Parson’s is so cool!

  • Amy

    I am so there with you. I truly think every mom that works has to feel this way at some point whethere they admit it or not. I work out of my home also and know that God has provided this opportunity for me to be able to work from home and spend time with our kids. I keep thinking when I get through this next thing it will be easier. Many times we have talked about me quitting, but then I think, do I really want to do that??

  • Lisa Anderson

    it’s hard to be who you want to be for yourself AND who you want to be for your daughter/husband…but that’s why we were blessed with free will. We are allowed to chose. You are allowed to be a mom who is totally present for your daughter but that means limiting your business. But at the end of the day, she’s only young once, business may shift and eb and flow but it won’t go anywhere. If you have talent and business sense that doesn’t go away but it can be shelved for a while…allowing you to tend to your garden of life. Make a commitment to take fewer sessions. If your clients don’t like that then they don’t really know who you are as a person and does that matter? No…because what they think doesn’t change what Charley and Corey think of you right? And for those clients that DO know you will understand why you are taking fewer sessions…and will be patient to wait for when you are available for a session or will be more mindful about planning further ahead.

    At times like this it’s good to play the “worst case” game…if you take fewer clients what’s the WORST thing that could happen? Honestly, what is it? Will the world end? Will you cease being a talented photographer? Will you wither away from lack of creativity?

    Find ways to incorporate your life into your work/creative hobbies…and as Charley gets older that will become even easier.

    But when all is said and done you have to make yourself and your family happy…what the rest of the world thinks is not relevant as long as you are feeding your soul, loving your life, being the mom/wife you want to be. i say if you have the luxury to find true balance then do it. You may not always have that luxury.

    Okay I’m done preaching **STEPS OFF SOAP BOX**…but with that said, please save a spot for a session for my family this July!! ;o)

  • Lisa Anderson

    P.S. I love that you put this out there. It’s hard to have doubts but it’s easy to keep them to yourself. It’s wonderful that you put them out there – helps others realize it’s “normal” and okay to have doubts and it’s even more okay to talk about them!

  • Liz

    I hear ya! (Along with all the other people who responded).
    So, I recently stumbled upon these two books…
    “The Answer is Simple…Love Yourself, Live Your Spirit!” by Sonia Choquette (really good) and “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin (just purchased – have not read). I picked up the latter because of the cover…and what is stated…”The Happiness Project..Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean my Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun.” This title spoke volumes to me…I just had to check it out.

  • http://www.machcphotography.com Chelsey

    When in doubt. … just what I needed to read, just what you needed to write. Although, I’m learning it’s not necessarily about “balance” as really, when you try to ‘balance’ too many things, something always has to topple over or feel ‘unbalanced’ (kwim?). I’m learning to realize that I have to tip the scales, purposely, one way or another, depending on the day, maybe the hour, definitely the week, or even the month. You have to find your happy. And I don’t mean find it b/c it’s not there. It’s there. It just has to be unearthed. Uncovered. Dusted off. And put back front & center.

    When in doubt. Nothing worth having … those are essential thoughts, me thinks ;)

    BTW, I starred this twice. Didn’t even know that could be done. Clearly the work of this cold or allergy onset or … something that is coughing sniffles, sneezing & an itchy throat. So anything that doesn’t quite make sense, please chalk it up to that. :)

  • http://www.503photography.com admin

    @Lisa So much truth in what you said. Thank you!
    @Liz I am quite intrigued by that book, too. You’ll have to let me know what you thought of it, okay?
    @Chelsey You are so right that my “happy” is always there. It just sometimes gets pushed to the back (b/c apparently I’m a glutton for stress!). Hope that cough, sniffles, sneezing & itchy throat get cleared up real fast. ; )

  • http://www.traceylapinphotography.com/blog Tracey Lapin

    Jessica, were you a fly on the wall in my bedroom last night? I laid in bed talking with my husband til 1.30am saying pretty much word for word what you have just written above!

    Balance – its the hardest thing to accomplish. and yes, its hard when the levels keep moving…

    We are about to embark on a new business venture and are trying to work out how work and kids and dinner and homework and all the other stuff is going to be managed and I already felt like I was failing the kids (before we have even begun) – but my husband reminded me last night that both my parents worked damn hard when I was growing up, that my sister and I would go to after school care, or to my dads business, or (later) home to an empty house. But do you know what? when I think of my childhood and when I think of my parents, all I think of is love and being nurtured and how blessed I was and am. My parents loved the heck out of me and they did the very best they could. and i would not change a thing. and yes, they instilled the value of hard work in me. so so important.

    its obvious that your family still get the best of you. you are making beautiful experiences and memories together – so, whatever you work out will be perfect for you and them.

    everything is as it should be x

  • http://blog.brookesnow.com brooke snow

    I agree. Take the break :) I stopped accepting all portrait sessions from Jan-Aug 2011. I’m still shooting but its just fun projects and fun commercial stuff. I feel so much more balanced and love that I can have the “good lighting” times of day to enjoy at the park with my toddler and have my weekends with the family. Another great book “Simple Abundance”. http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Abundance-Daybook-Comfort-Joy/dp/0446563595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304018438&sr=8-1 Its totally changing my life into this wonderful gratitude laden, simplistic luxury experience on a daily basis. I love it.

  • http://www.503photography.com admin

    @Brooke – I need a book titled “simple abundance.” ; ) Thanks for the recommendation!

  • http://twitter.com/EcoBlogz Anastasia Borisyuk

    You pretty much summed up where I’m at too! 2 kids, husband mostly at work, I work from home. House is a mess and I wish I could spend more time with my babies, have a clean, organized house. Should I just quit my freelancing, I ask myself. I have no answers, just questions. I also don’t want to have my 30s fly by only for me to say “What just happened?”

    by the way, found you through Pinterest

  • Lscholzphoto

    Wow. This couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you!!

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