34 was a ride! I used to say every year gets better, but over the last five years, I can’t say I believe it. I will say that every year has brought me more growth, peace and alignment. I think that is a mindset, I’m embracing this as I enter 35. Every year gets better, not because I became better or did even better things or whatever.
Every year gets better because I embrace the growth, joys and progress that come from bummer moments.
34 was a year of pausing, healing and preparation. 33 had been a blur of blind hustling, between driving across the country for the water docuseries to trying to get my own business off the ground and super hard lessons. A pause was necessary for 34.
When I look back at 34, I think, “What did I even do?! I have nothing to show for it.” But that isn’t true at all. I needed the time and space to heal, reflect and integrate.
Special thanks to Logan at Foll Exposures for nearly all of the portraits of me.
reflecting on 34
“What did I even do?! I have nothing to show for it.”
I embraced a new partnership, essentially moving in together. It has been a wonderful, challenging and supportive ride.
I healed my inner artist with a stellar group of women using The Artists Way. Which meant facing internalized self-doubt, social programming, inner child healing and facing some shadows.
I realized how much I gaslight myself to allow abusive “friendships” to continue. When someone continuously cuts you down, stop justifying it with silly excuses. We are all going through something. Just because we’ve been friends for a long time doesn’t make them good friends. I had to set some hard boundaries and, in most cases, just cut them out.
I invested in developing my skills as a photographer, videographer and writer, which led to me fully owning my skills and no longer playing small.
I filmed a short documentary about an ultrarunner taking on a massive route and created an epic social campaign to accompany it.
I wrote two books in under a week, in a surge of energy that I couldn’t dampen. Sure, it was followed by a two-week crash of exhaustion.
I worked for two clients that pushed me to stand on business and set hard boundaries.
I spoke at multiple events around intentional living, travel and photography.
I landed an epic photojournalism gig with a dream magazine.
I took 6 months off to play barista in a cute little coastal town.
Looking toward 35
34 was a year of healing, recognition of my worth, and preparation. Some of these lessons will reverberate for years, they are part of my early childhood programming that I am still working on.
People-pleasing is tough programming to break.
I don’t want to be everyone’s cup of tea.
Setting boundaries and not allowing for harmful friendships.
It seems that being overly critical comes with being creative, but it would be cool if that inner voice could kindly STFU.
The important part is taking intentional action and always growing.
Failure is made up, it is just a pivot towards success.
Rest is necessary and valid. Hustle culture is a harmful capitalist construct.
35 is the year of aligned action.
I am unsubscribing from hustle culture. This means giving myself quality rest and prioritizing things that light me up. This means more river trips, silly movie nights, impromptu flights to see friends and a lot more dancing to Taylor (you know the one).
I am unapologetically myself and stand on my ideals. I will no longer play small to be more palatable. I am a fierce advocate for the environment, social justice and women’s empowerment. I will share more advocacy resources and highlight other educators.
I am no longer content hoarding because I’m overthinking or being overly critical. Prepare yourself for a timeline unlike any other; being chronological is out of the question.
Special thanks to Logan at Foll Exposures for nearly all of the portraits of me.
