Mommy, can you stay with me a bit longer? – asked my daughter at bedtime tonight again. No, baby, I can’t, I really have to get back to work – I said.. again.
I’ve realized, that in the past months (maybe even years…) my regular days consisted of waking around 7am, getting kids ready for school, sitting at my computer (design, photography edits, emails etc..), then getting the kids from school, getting back at my workspace or doing a photo shoot and so on until it’s dinner time for kids. Feed them, then back to the computer. And just like that day in and day out, including the weekends!… So… I’ve decided – I need to take some time for myself, to dig a little deeper in my soul and to see what do I want to do next. Spending my life like this is not very beneficial to me and my family, and even to my clients. Running-running-running, always on a run. O yes, I am whining and complaining! 😛 But I am going to do something about it.
So, I am taking the next 3 months off. I am going to give all my heart and all my soul to the photo shoots which I have booked already! And I’ll let myself to book 2 more for May-June, but only 2 more. The rest of the time goes to my family and my soul searching! I promise you, I’ll come up with something great 🙂 It doesn’t mean I am not going to photograph during this period – I can not live without my camera! But mostly it will be personal projects, playing around and having fun, polishing my skills and practicing new things I’ve learned in the past year (A LOT!) I owe it to my kids, my hubby. Myself too! And the cat.. she is old and needs me as well.. 😉
I am writing it all here so I’ll stay accountable to my promises to myself 🙂 And I’ll keep you all posted about the progress and new findings of mine! This photo is over 12 years old. Then we had more time together. Working on it again.
P.S. Had this post written a couple of days ago. Went to bed at 2 am, got up at 6:30 am, still working after 11 pm. Yup, I am posting it so I can change something about it 🙂
P.P.S For all my current clients and we talked about booking a session already -this doesn’t change anything for you 🙂 I’ll keep all my promises!! 🙂 And a photo of family fun in 2006 to cheer you guys up :-))) And the 2 spots are gone, so no more new photo jobs for me for a couple of months. I have so many requests about Mother’s day mini-sessions. I might do those just for us, Moms! We deserve it!
April 14, 2013, 11:16 pm
Go for it, Toma! And enjoy your time off, you definitely deserve it! Great post!
April 14, 2013, 11:16 pm
Thank you, dorogaya! It’s not going to be much of time off, but definitely less of working 🙂 I already have a HUGE list of what I will do with that time 🙂
April 14, 2013, 11:31 pm
You deserve it!! Life is so short xoxo
April 14, 2013, 11:31 pm
So true! Katusha, thank you!!
April 15, 2013, 2:11 am
Wishing you an amazing three month adventure… Excited for you, your family and your soul!!! Big hugs xoxox (If you haven’t booked your two yet, I would still love for you to photograph Miss M with her grandparents)
April 15, 2013, 7:43 am
Joanne, thank you!!! 🙂 Let’s book a session (that’s the first spot), let me know which days you were thinking of. 🙂
April 15, 2013, 6:17 am
I am glad that you realized that and decided to make some changes. You are a great mom! Plus, kids really need their parents when they are young. As soon as they turn 13, they won’t
April 15, 2013, 6:17 am
They won’t miss us as much;)
April 15, 2013, 7:43 am
You are funny 😛 Thank you dear, you see I am trying to keep my promices!
April 15, 2013, 7:10 am
Balance is soooooo important. If you have to, put You or Family on your schedule. You always keep to what you book, right?
April 15, 2013, 8:18 am
Tamara…To everything there is a season. Your children will not be little for long. Blessing as you explore how you wish to move forward.
April 15, 2013, 9:43 am
Anne, thank you! Wise words, I need to remember them.
April 15, 2013, 5:36 pm
All the very best and have a good time with your family…
I know You cannot live without CAMERA but capture some memorable moments with your family, So that You will always remember these 3 months and your kids always smaller..Wishes to you n your family , Love to kids..
April 15, 2013, 10:08 pm
Nishant, thank you! Will do! 🙂
April 15, 2013, 11:24 pm
You inspire beyond photography now- good advice for us all, and well deserved for you indeed.
April 16, 2013, 1:29 pm
Jef, thank you!!
April 26, 2013, 3:02 am
So glad to have come across your blog through facebook, your photographs are beautiful. Good luck with the soul searching, catherine x
April 26, 2013, 10:10 am
Catherine, thank you so much! It is already going well, I guess I just had to have a mental break.. We all need that at some point.
April 26, 2013, 10:26 am
Catherine, thank you so much! It is already going well, I guess I just had to have a mental break.. We all need that at some point.
November 20, 2013, 8:16 am
Томочка , как все прошло ? Тебе удалось сделать все , что запланировала ??