Do Things that Take Awhile | Monday Musings

Do Things that Take Awhile | Monday Musings

I think I have always been a pretty introspective person, but I know I have become even more so after beginning to work from home full-time. All the silence around me gives time and space to think in between the work I have to get done, and I end up reflecting a lot on myself and the world around me. Monday Musings has become my space to share what I've been learning, and for those of you who have followed from the beginning, I'm sure you've seen my heart and mind molded slowly over time.

One thing I've noticed this year, more than ever, is the effect my phone has on me. I have taken some measures to reduce its impact. Right now I check social media twice a day only, and oftentimes when I'm working I'll put my phone on silent. I try to refrain from answering texts or emails while I'm spending intentional time with Nathan, though this is an area where I need to try a little harder.

Having a phone has led to a much shorter attention span, for me and everyone around me...

My Morning Routine | Monday Musings

My Morning Routine | Monday Musings

Truth be told, if you had told me 5 years ago that I would one day have a strict morning routine, I would have laughed out loud. My morning 'routine' honestly used to consist of rolling out of bed at the last possible minute, hurriedly showering and getting ready, and rushing out the door with some sort of breakfast in hand - and definitely a lot of caffeine.

Nathan used to leave the house extremely early, and it was pretty rare for me to get up any time before he walked out the door so I could kiss him goodbye. Sometimes I even went back to bed for a few more minutes of sleep. I was also staying up pretty late during this season, though I never had a set bedtime or morning alarm. I just rolled with the punches and did what I wanted.

My routine started when I began to get frustrated at always having to rush, rush, rush in the mornings...

Taking the GRE | Monday Musings

Taking the GRE | Monday Musings

The off-season of wedding photography is both a gift and a curse to me. It is a gift in that I am able to sleep and rest after all the crazy wedding and travel weekends that happen in the fall, on top of extra family and engagement sessions that inevitably get scheduled when the leaves start to change. Coming into January I was ready for some down-time, ready to work less than 40-60 hours, and ready to enjoy some slow weekends at home.

That lasted about 2 weeks. While I love the idea of being restful, it is not very practical long-term for me. This was my first full off-season being at home during the week, and it wasn't long before I got incredibly antsy to start doing things again. I did have some sessions here and there, and even a January wedding in Washington, D.C., but none of it kept my hands or mind occupied the way I am used to.

So I started to dream...