After 6 weeks on the road, naturally I am experiencing extreme jet-lag. Mike is in PA for a few days without me, so here I am alone with my thoughts. And because we are reaching the end of 2016, I figured it’s a good time as any to try and make sense of these head ramblings and share them with you.
Happiness is a funny thing. It’s usually fleeting, but I have managed to find ways to preserve it in my every day. This started in 2015. I began making conscious choices on my spending habits, confronting my irrational fears, and to be persistent with following my passion. It was a mental breath of fresh air to have a taste of what it feels like to be in control of my actions. In the process, I began to simplify my life and put more time back on things that deserve my attention. 2016 has been an extension of that and I have genuinely surprised myself with how much MORE joy I am able to bring into my life and into the lives of others.
After watching an amazing documentary film earlier this year called The True Cost (which I highly recommend), I felt immense guilt. I have spent years feeding the fast fashion hunger and unknowingly perpetuating unethical clothing practices. Fashion was a way to make myself feel important. And that’s just it, I made it all about ME. Meanwhile there are good people out there, without the opportunities I’ve had, struggling to survive every single day just so I could get my hands on the latest trend. It doesn't make any sense! So I have decided to stand for something greater, beyond myself. I only thrift or support companies with fair trade practices. Though I haven’t shopped in months and have little desire to. I also wear minimal to no makeup on most days. As obvious as this should be, I realized people who care for me do so because of who I am. Funny enough without all the flashy clothes and heavy makeup, I feel more beautiful every day. And if there’s any message I want to share loud and clear, it’s that you are not what you buy - you are ONLY your actions.
It’s amazing how many new people we have met this year. Many of whom we consider good friends. And it’s especially interesting when you make friends outside of your typical "bubble". Suddenly, the conversations are more diverse, topics get a little deeper, and I found myself discovering something new every time. Instead of comparing job titles and work banter that goes in circles, I am learning how to better connect with people - oftentimes with strangers that become like family and sometimes with folks I didn't think it would be possible to ever understand. Connecting always starts with a smile. But then it means being vulnerable. It means listening with an open heart and genuine curiosity. It means helping just because you can. I am beginning to understand my happiness is driven by strong relationships and a mindset of what I can do for someone else today. And this understanding has changed the way I approach traveling and photography. Giving - that’s how I keep my heart full. Taking the focus off myself and onto someone else. It’s so simple, isn’t it?
Connection, intent, and creativity. These are the key principles that keep Main and Simple Photography alive for me. If I am not doing even just one of those things, I lose my desire and love of the art. In the beginning, it was really about what M+S could do for me. But overtime I have realized it’s about what M+S can do for others. I hope our stories ring truth and puts focus back on the things that really matter. Mike and I are excited to see how we continue to grow and use our photography as a platform to help others, share strong messages, and hopefully create art that inspires even just one person to think and act differently.
Well, there it is - my head ramblings documented. It'll be fun to come back here a year from now and read this again. It sure was fun reading some of my older afternoon distractions. More to come in 2017, hope to see you there!
