Word of the Year – Rest

At the end of December, I wrote my annual “A Year in Review” post. The looking back at the previous year was the easy part, looking forward and planning for 2016 was so hard. Setting goals, defining what I want to learn, stating what I want to “stop” doing – that is dig-deep-into-my-brain and think-really-hard stuff.

I wrote that I wanted my “word of the year” to be “confidence”. That still remains true, but as we have progressed thru the first few weeks of 2016, I’ve realized that that isn’t the right word for me. So, I’m changing it. I’m allowed to do that – it’s my year & my goals [wow, that sounds selfish, doesn’t it? calm down, Kara] and so I’m re-defining what word I want 2016 to be defined by.

My new word is: rest.
Something Derrick & I have been talking a lot about lately [specific to me] is carving out specific times to put down my business brain & simply rest. Take time off. Turn off the computer. Stop stressing so much. Stop looking at Instagram. Stop obsessing. Stop thinking about business stuff 24/7. Stop feeling guilty about all the things that I should be doing, but didn’t have time to do today.

January & February are traditionally “slow months” for wedding photographers in the North. Weddings are typically planned for spring, summer, and fall, and winter gets left out. And that’s okay, because no one wants to sit thru a lovely outdoor ceremony in 13º weather! So, like most photographers, I’ve planned to fill my days with updating my pricing and website and paperwork and brand and prepping for taxes and the list just goes on and on and on. I realized, the year hasn’t even started yet & I’m already burnt out! Because, before you know it, I’ve worked thru the morning, the afternoon, and now that Braelynn is in bed, I’m working thru the evening too. Where is the line?

So, I’m drawing it. Right here and right now. My word for the year 2016 is rest. And I’m not going to feel guilty about taking time off on a regular basis. It’s okay. Sure, I’ll still work and get things done, but I’m also going to set aside specific time to rest. To enjoy life. And I’m starting, yesterday.