Reflecting on 2020 & Creating Better Habits in 2021 | Destination & Elopement Photographer
Well, it’s 2021 - and, we are still sheltering in place. Like everyone, 2020 was challenging but there were some great things that came about it too. I know for me, I’m trying to put into practice more self-care and create more for myself that isn’t photography related and or tied to making money (which is why I got back into drawing and even ceramics).
But let’s backup a bit. The later half of 2019 was a time that I felt like I was starting to finally THRIVE and not just survive and keep up with the HUSTLE HUSTLE HUSTLE life. So, feeling more business and financial savvy at the end of that year, and really felt honest in saying that - 2020 was going to be my year- because like some, at the end of 2019, I was beyond hopeful that I could take my businesses to another level and or expand even (I actually had TWO additional businesses - which is not the case now, but maybe that is also a silver lining as I tend to take on WAY TOO MUCH at once). I was also excited to continue being part of my creative community and leading the local Oakland Tuesday’s Together group, and having the goal of working less on weekends and spending more time with my family. And then….2020 - albeit life went about as normal in January, feeling all good about the new year. Same with February - had a kick ass wedding with an awesome couple, that I had been so looking forward to- at a local venue and bar which has now closed😭. Then March- I still had some work at the beginning (and also many ahead that, like many in my industry - were either cancelled or postponed) but the news/events internationally, were starting to tell me that this was going to be short-lived. And I had my last bit of work with events and commercial headshots, plus hang outs with friends and my last wedding was on a rainy day in March, the 14th (and even then there were already measures in place. The DJ saying over the sound system asking folks to move to other tables and to please make sure to use the hand sanitizing stations and dinner was served by staff vs as a buffet)- and then SIP - and I got my wish of working less on weekends and spending (way) more time with my family.
We all joked how loooooong March was becoming and feeling like - little did we know March lasted that entire year. Anyway, but now that month of 2020 is over. And while I’m not going to attempt any sort of New Years Resolutions, I do want to put into practice some new habits or bettering old ones.
Like for one - having regular business or rather, work hours again. Pre-2020, Mondays used to be, what I called my admin days - where I tackle all the work emails, to-do’s and planning for the week ahead - one of those is blogging or at least scheduling posts for the week or month ahead! So I hope to start doing that again.
Second - exercising or just moving my body, every dang day- and not just from my bedroom into my home office. Maybe a walk around the neighborhood or actually getting on my Pilates reformer machine (bought on sale and as a birthday gift for myself in 2020- cause I convinced myself I would shed the quarantine weight and that I would really do it this time (workout, I mean)… ) - my lil sis even created some videos for me to use!
Third - more reading, like of actual books and such - and less scrolling of social media on my phone when I said I would go to sleep and then it’s like 3 am and then my anxiety takes over and I just stay awake for another hour instead 😖. I need to break that cycle and get to bed at a decent hour AND READ A BOOK instead. Any recs? (Although, I am in the middle of reading 3 books 😬 - cause I seem to forget how exactly to read cause my mind just keeps bouncing about- HELP!)
What about you? Are you making a list of resolutions or attempting a new practice or endeavor this year?
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