15/05/2014
SPACE
The past six months have been pretty life changing. We've sold our house.. paid off our debts.. moved back to my Mum's temporarily to save.. and then we're going to go travelling in November for five months. I'm still pinching myself that we're actually going.
But more than that, right now.. I feel so much more at peace.
This time last year I felt like I was drowning. I didn't know I was drowning, but anxiety, breathing problems, stress.. they were desperately trying to tell me. I just couldn't switch off. Ever. The 'work' wheel we were on just kept spinning. But it wasn't just the amount of work we were putting on ourselves it was the expectation that I was putting on myself. I was petrified of letting people down.. I was petrified of slowing down or missing out.. I was petrified of physically not being sat at my computer.. just in case.. but what happens if.. but I might miss something..
These past 6 months have been bliss. We've had less weddings and although we've still been shooting other stuff and doing Welcome Home we've had TIME OFF. Real time off.. days where we go out.. weekends where we stay away in nice cottages with friends.. trips to see family.. walks on the beach.. meals out together.. parties.. we've been guests at weddings.. all the NORMAL stuff that normal people do.. and they do it without guilt.. yep.. you read that right.. NO GUILT.. none whatsoever.. because to normal people.. it makes perfect sense. You work a bit and then you have a bit of time off. You work hard and then you relax… and then you work a bit more and then you relax some more. Simples.
And I tell you what. It's AWESOME. I feel like I'm getting to know myself all over again. What do I like to do to relax? I'm not sure if I really knew.. away from the computer.. away from Facebook and Pinterest and browsing blogs.. away from editing images?.. well, it's been absolutely wonderful finding out exactly what I like to do.. and now.. time off? BRING. IT. ON. There HAS to be a balance.. not just for me, not just for Pete.. but for our business too. Every time we come back from switching off I feel more inspired, more energised, more positive, more creative.. and most importantly.. so much happier.
I'm so happy for you having found some peace! :) I can't wait for me to get some of that action in a few weeks when I finish wrapping up the last of our weddings (NZ summer season is over now) and I have NOTHING to do but whatever it is I feel like doing on that particular day. Cannot freaking wait! And I really hope that it calms me down, and has some positive side effects on my health issues!
ReplyDeletelove your work and great to hear that you're achieving THE BALANCE...The only thing I disagree with is your statement about normal people. Yes, normal people get to switch off and take time off without guilt. But let us highly privileged full time togs not forget that those same normal people then have to get back on the treadmill of doing something they hate sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteAMEN to all of that! And I agree with Anonymous (nice name) above but I do believe that Em alluded to the "Work a bit harder, have some time off", the same as any normal person. It doesn't serve anyone to be bitter because someone else enjoys their job.
ReplyDeleteThats is awesome! Sometimes I think we have to hit a bit of rock bottom in our work to make us take a step back - away from the crazy - away from the spinning wheel. I believe everyone is on a journey. Whether you are doing something you love or hate - at some point being able to take time to step back and re-asses whats really really important is vital. Massive hugs to you and I am going to smash hard into you guys at the airport in a few months when you are back here in NZ xxxx
ReplyDeleteI just want to clarify.. I'm not necessarily talking about people who work 9pm to 5pm or people who are in jobs they hate when I'm talking about 'normal' people. I mean anyone that takes time off.. anyone who believes that time off is just as important as working. It's more that I feel like I'm the 'abnormal' one as I've struggled with allowing myself time off, away from the business for so long..
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you have achieved this balance, I am still in the struggling fase, and have been so for the past 3-4 years which is way too long. with two small kids even the little off-work time I have feels like stress and work. but I am working actively to change things this year. Have a great time travelling! :)
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