Embracing the Journey: Learning from Mistakes and Excited for What's Next
Today, I want to get real with you. I'm going to share a piece of my journey – a journey that's not just about the wins, but also the epic fails, and the excitement of what's waiting around the corner.
I recently had to do a huge ego check as I handed in the keys to my commercial studio space - the second one in 2.5-hour years. When I moved to my first commercial space downtown, I thought that was what I needed to be successful and to be taken seriously as a photographer. It was not the perfect space, it had some things that bugged me so after the year lease was up, I moved to another space. Also, not perfect and what I really envisioned for my perfect studio space but I thought I needed it. Then I realized something, I was so stressed out about commercial rent (not cheap) that I forgot to be creative. See, I’m an artist through my camera, and I need to not have something like a studio pull me down and stress me out. I realized I didn’t need it. I have a beautiful studio here at my home and this is where I started years ago and created most of my portfolio work. And I’ll feel more free to explore outdoor locations even who knows. So instead of saying I am a failure, I’m excited for what the future holds and what I’m going to create. I’m incredibly proud of myself for taking big risks, but I’m even more proud of myself to accept it didn’t work and now we pivot to something better.
Speaking of failures and lessons, here are a few other things I learned along the way.
Failing Forward
Failure might not be our favorite teacher, but it's certainly a memorable one. It's like that friend who shows up unannounced and stays a little too long. My story is filled with moments that didn't go as planned, projects that fizzled out, and dreams that hit some major speed bumps. And in those times, it's hard not to feel the disappointment, right? But here's the secret: within that disappointment lies some of life's most valuable lessons.
Every misstep, every faceplant, they were all part of my crash course in life. Failures didn't bring me down; they lifted me up by teaching me about my craft, my grit, and the power of pushing my boundaries.
I’m the kind of person who hates waiting for things to happen. I’m really impatient, I rather run straight at a wall, fall down, get back up and probably run right back into that wall before realizing I have to make a change.
The Artistry of Mistakes
Mistakes? Oh, we've all made our fair share. They're like brushstrokes on the canvas of our lives, creating texture and depth. My journey as a photographer is sprinkled with missed shots, composition blunders, and those moments when I blinked and missed the perfect shot. But guess what? In the aftermath, I found that mistakes are the secret ingredients for improvement.
Recognizing our mistakes is the first step toward getting better. It's about saying, "Hey, I messed up, but I'm going to learn from this." Instead of feeling ashamed, I started seeing mistakes as stepping stones to becoming a pro.
Anticipating the Unknown
Now, as I stand here, looking back at those hiccups, I can't help but feel excited. Every ending marks the beginning of something new and thrilling. The unknown isn't scary; it's an adventure waiting to happen. It's the blank page begging for your story to be written.
New adventures aren't just about getting to the destination; they're about the journey itself, the transformation, and the memories you collect along the way. With all the experiences I've gathered, I'm ready to create a story full of resilience, sprinkled with the lessons from my mishaps, and glowing with the excitement of the unknown.
Final Thoughts
So, to my fellow explorers, here's the deal: embrace your failures as lessons, your mistakes as growth spurts, and the unknown as the ultimate playground for your dreams. Vulnerability is your strength, mistakes are your coaches, and the anticipation of what's next is the heartbeat of a life worth living.
May your journey be filled with a colorful mix of lessons, blunders, and the uncharted adventures of tomorrow.
