This cute little poem (with a beautiful story about a mother and daughter) popped up in my cluttered Facebook feed and I knew I had to share it. In a world that is constantly screaming for more, more, more, this poem reminded me that all we need is “enough.” We are constantly chasing: more money, more fans, more “likes,” more work, more children, more friends… we forget that sometimes all we need is just enough to get by and be happy. This poem really resounds with me as I begin to plan for the upcoming year. (As a wedding photographer, we are often planning two years in advance – whoa!) After thinking long and hard about my reality, my work/life balance, and our time together as a couple, I have made some tough decisions in regards to my workload. I have announced it a few times but I am actually cutting back (quite a bit) moving into this next year.
You see, Drew and I live simply. We have everything we need (and more) and while I am entirely obsessed with my job and the clients I work with, I know that in order to have a long and happy career as a photographer, I need to protect myself from burning out. It’s hard to turn down lovely people, beautiful weddings, and a portion of a paycheck but we have more than we need and time is more important than work to me! After winning the WI Bride Best of Photography award this year, I realized that in order to maintain my level of excellence, I needed to do more with less and part of my business is really investing in the lives on my clients. I have achieved more in this short career than I ever planned and I want to do this for a very, very long time… that’s why I am being proactive and making some decisions and one is big one is that less really is more.
As I reflect on the last few years, I have shot a high volume of weddings and every time I say I am going to cut back, I never do. In fact, this year I will shoot four more weddings this year than last year… it’s a trend of me not being able to say no and it’s something that I have been intentionally working on. As I move forward into 2015, I am cutting back my wedding workload to help me focus on other projects (painting) and allow more time and weekends to spend with family and friends! I want to be able to share in my couple’s lives without spreading myself too thin. I don’t want to look back on every summer and see images of me working crazy hours and traveling every weekend. I want to remember time at the lake, moments with family, time spent at home, and date nights with my husband! This poem is a reflection of not always striving for more but being content in enough. If you are burnt out or overworked or ready for change, please take these words to heart and think of how you can apply them to your life. Society tells us we need more but my heart really tells us that “enough” is okay with me.
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“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.”
– Author Unknown
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In a society of “more is better” I find this post such a relief coming from someone who is as talented and successful as you! Being in the same industry I totally understand this post and agree with it 100%. It’s very hard to say no to wonderful people and weddings but our time here and what we fill it with is precious. We just get so many trips around the sun!
Well if you have to turn clients away I certainly wouldn’t mind you throwing my name out! I hope to someday have the same “problem” you’re having now! http://Www.facebook.com/stephaniegoodmanphotography