
This hits home for me.
…and maybe it does for you too?
It seems like every year I go through this. This thing. This thing that eats at me. I’m not proud of it…
I’ve had so many conversations with other photographers about this same topic, I don’t think I’m alone. I’ve said it before…this isn’t new. It’s so easy to get caught up in looking at the person next to you and wonder why you don’t have the success they have. You begin to beat yourself up and dissect everything you do or don’t do. There are so many things I love about being a photographer…seriously, so many. But there are also things that I hate…if I’m going to be honest here.
I hate that we somewhat have to “sell” ourselves in this business. It’s a weird thing to try and do successfully without making yourself seem full of it and disingenuous. It’s a game I’d rather not play…ya know what I mean? Another thing I’m not fond of, but realize how impactful it can be is:
SOCIAL MEDIA.
Oh social media…I have a love/hate relationship with you…oh yes I do. I’m trying to get better at using social media as a marketing/connecting tool…but OH MY GOSH it can be such a DISTRACTOR. I think my productivity has gone down a significant amount since I joined TWITTER. Gosh dang you twitter…
Okay enough venting about that, back to what I was saying…
I had a very lovely conversation with a friend last night and it really made me think. It made me realize just how much the quote I posted above is SO DEAD ON TRUE. “COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY” Being comparative has taken my joy away. Always looking at the person next to me has taken my joy away. Feeling like I have to portray some type of “cool kid” status has taken my joy away. *sigh* I’m exhausted people. And please don’t think this is a “woe is me” type of post…it’s more of a venting post that I seem to come out with every other month or so. I know y’all just love em’…right?! RIGHT?! hee hee.
The fact that I have this struggle does not surprise me one bit. The one thing I struggle with most in life is just being content. Being content with my life, my work, where I live, the list goes on. I know God is working on this with me. The thing that gave me peace last night after I had this conversation with this friend is when she said, “It’s all His and for His glory anyways. We have to be willing to lay it all down at any time. It’s all His”. I love you Jenny. She could not be more right about this. I have to stop wasting time comparing myself to those around me and just focus on glorifying the One who gave me this freakin’ gift in the first place. Easier said than done of course but this is a challenge for me and for anyone else who feels the exact way I do.
Here’s to challenging ourselves and being content with not being the “cool kid”. Happy Thursday.
Photo Credit: Ryan Flynn



































































































































by Tonhya
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