Midlife, Connections & Clarity
During this once in a lifetime trip I wanted to slow down, make connections, and gain Clarity & Freedom. As I reflected on the past 3 weeks it became clear. I was creating beautiful memories, friendships & reconnecting with myself, but I was also gaining much needed Clarity & Freedom.
Clarity isn’t always this big thing that punches you in the face, mine has been a gradual realization over the past 3 weeks. Honestly mostly things I already knew but haven’t fully embraced and implemented. Slow Down~Create from my heart~Minimize Choices~Try new things
Ive always struggled with traveling minimally with my photography gear, I mean what if I need a specific camera or lens and don’t have it. It didn’t take me long to realize that I need less choices in life, business and travel.
Minimal gear helps push me to be creative and intentional, finding the heartbeat of a place instead of worrying about a different camera or lens. Shooting film with an all mechanical camera helps me slow down, be intentional and connect with people and places. I prefer slower travel, off the beaten path so I can truly experience and capture a places story.
A few of my goals this year were to travel abroad without my hubby, to eat at a cafe in Paris alone, to gain Clarity & Freedom……all to prove to myself I’m still that sassy adventurous girl with beautiful dreams. I’ve been so inspired and I’m so dang proud of myself for doing some really hard things.
As a middle aged woman living with a chronic illness, I sometimes let it define me or society try’s to tell us we’ve reached our prime and it’s all downhill from here. Ladies we are just getting started!!! We’ve raised our families and built careers, it’s our time to slowdown look deep and see what we truly love and want. It’s never too late to start over, pivot or chase your dreams.
I’ll be selling lots of gear, trying and failing with my new art supplies, catch up on my reading, enjoying my new found love of tea, catch up with my new friends from this amazing trip, and last but not least enjoying some much needed family time. (I think they were quite lost without me for 5 weeks)
2 Comments
Jul 9, 2024, 11:22:38 AM
Melissa Watson - I'm so glad it resonated with you, it was an amazing trip!!
Jun 16, 2024, 10:25:01 AM
Christina Carlsen - What a great trip! It sounds wonderful. Thank you for pointing out that we are not past our prime! 😄 It's good to get a reminder that we can pivot and still chase our dreams.