I actually hadn't planned to post on the blog today, but sometimes something is weighing so heavily on your heart, that you just have to write it! (At least that's how it is for me! ;))
Over here life has been tough lately… but probably not the kind of ‘tough’ you’re thinking. I have lots of sessions, lots of editing, and lots of amazing, sweet clients. I have a lot to be thankful for. (You’re probably thinking "Wait, those things aren’t tough! What on earth is she talking about?") But you see, all of those good things mean lots (and LOTS) of hours in front of the screen editing, lots of emails, lots of scheduling, and documenting, and accounting, and lots of things getting pushed to the wayside…like time with my hubby, and dishes, and laundry, and grocery shopping, and devotional time, and walking Ellie Mae, and (insert whatever else I’d like to be dong/should be doing here)… It’s interesting how something so GOOD can turn into something that makes you feel drained & frustrated. Does your job or passion do that? Did you look up all of the sudden and think, HOW is it June 15th? Where has the time gone, and what have I even DONE in the past two weeks?
I’m there, y’all. I’m at that point of…’where on earth has the time gone?’ I wanted to do some really fun things this summer with Ellie Mae and Robert, and time is just slipping by WAY too quickly.
The problem here is balance. I’ve lost sight of it lately. And I’m going to start working REALLY hard to get back on track. You see, I don’t want to wear ‘busyness’ as a badge of honor. Sure, it’s great to have clients & shoots! That’s a good thing! I believe that God gave me this job to be able to make money for our family, but he also gave it to me (more importantly) to use it to serve & glorify Him. Lately, I’ve started to lose site of the latter. Not completely, but I haven’t been glorifying Him to my best ability.
I don’t want to go through life feeling like I’m constantly RUNNING to catch up. I need to set a better schedule, get my priorities straight, and get my expectations in check. Could I edit & blog a session, shower, do the laundry, cook dinner (which I really love to do!), walk our puppy, shoot a session, and spend time with my hubby? I could try! But if I tried to do all of those things in one day, that would probably mean I couldn’t sleep…and that, of course, is no good! I also know my limits, and by trying to do all of those things in one day, I wouldn’t be ALL THERE.
Being all there.
That is something that has been weighing heavily on my heart lately. When I’m with family, spending quality time with Robert, or talking with a friend…am I truly ALL there? I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t been lately. Lately this business that is such a huge, wonderful blessing has started to take over my life! When the scale tips and business is taking up more time & energy than my relationships (with God, with my hubby, with my pup, with my family & friends), that’s not okay. Y'all, it’s really not okay. When I’m thinking about editing & blogging and just nodding while Robert is talking. (Sorry babe, you know I’m working on it!) That’s not okay. When I'm more worried about getting the perfect picture for Instagram versus actually ENJOYING a moment, that's not okay. (That silly IG grid!!! ;) )
Now, don’t get my wrong, I LOVE my business & my clients!! And I think that’s what makes ‘unplugging’ and finding balance SO much harder! I love what I do. But that passion shouldn’t eclipse the most important relationships in my life.
Are you struggling to be ‘all there’ lately? I know so many friends that have schedules look just like mine…some are even busier!!! You’re trying to do ALL of the things, and maybe you aren’t able to do them. (OR maybe you are superwoman and you are…and if you are, please share your secret!! ;)) But if you’re a normal person like me, I want to encourage you to slow down. You are doing JUST FINE. You are doing your BEST, and your best is all you CAN do. Not one of us is perfect. Not one of us has unlimited time and energy. If the busyness of life is tampering with your faith (like it has been for me lately), please slow down. Take a few minutes to refocus on what is truly important. Set more realistic goals and expectations for yourself. Give yourself some grace. And remember, you were created for a purpose. God is using you, and as long as you’re looking to Him every day, you TRULY are doing just fine.
I know I needed to hear those words today…that I was doing just fine. And I’m so thankful for the amazing Christian women that I follow on social media and that I know in real life who remind me of this when I need it most!
I hope the rest of your week is great, y’all. And I hope you can find time to really enjoy the little things (or the big things!) that make life so wonderful.
Also, if you have anything tools or books you've read that have helped you find balance, please share them in the comments below!! And if you haven't read Lara Casey's book, Make It Happen, you really, really should!! ;)
xoxo, Ashley