Yup, we’re getting heavy today. I couldn’t help myself – it’s a Thursday, the week is almost over, I thought why not? So today I’m talking about the one thing I did for my business that made all the difference.
What is that one thing? I gave up.
Now, just wait a minute before you go sending the drama squad to my house. They’re not welcomed here anyway. When I say “I gave up” I don’t mean that I just decided one day that I didn’t want to do this anymore. I mean that even though I wanted to do it, I put my energy elsewhere.
I was struggling in 2021 – as were a LOT of people all over the world. I had a baby in March which severely diminished my ability to confidently and energetically do anything. On top of that, I’m fairly certain that I had undiagnosed postpartum depression and anxiety, and I had to go back to my full-time job after about six weeks which – if you’re a mom reading this – you know just isn’t long enough!
Couple all of this with the fact that I was trying to learn how to care for a small human, and you’ve got yourself a very sensitive photographer with no real sense of what was next. So I stopped. I set down my camera and didn’t pick it back up for quite some time. I gave myself the grace to disperse my energy elsewhere.
I raised my son – and am currently raising my son – and will be raising my son for 18+ years. I made an effort to strengthen my marriage as my husband and I were navigating being a three-person household. I worked on my anxiety and learned about myself through therapy and self-reflection.
I gave up. And it was the single best thing I have ever done for my business.
Because I came back with a fire. I picked up my camera bag ready to make a difference in people’s lives. My mind is ready for this now, and I know how to be efficient, effective, and empowered in my business. Giving up gave me the time to work on myself so that now I can work on this. I support everyone giving up – just for a little while, just for as long as it takes for you to reevaluate why you’re passionate about your thing. I would love to hear your giving up stories in the comments!
Until next time!
Gray Graphics Photography 