Fourteen in 2014: Personal

Wow, is it really February already?  This year is already flying by and with a new year comes new adventures.  This is the 3rd year in a row that I’ve taken myself through a pretty in depth planning and goal setting process with the help of the amazing Lara Casey and Making Things Happen.  And this is certainly not the first time I’ve mentioned how much this has transformed my life in many ways.  Facing my fears, clearing the mental clutter and working towards big dreams and goals are all part of the process.  And my favorite part?  Taking a look back on 2013 and instead of wishing it away, taking a good hard look at what didn’t work and what did work.  I look at this process as a sort of working my way from the inside out.  Starting with my heart, my core and the things that are most important to me.  I’ve learned that once you start on the inside, the rest falls into place.

And so this brings me to the title of this post …. Fourteen in 2014.  Here are 14 things that are at the core of my goals in 2014 and that get me really fired up when I think about the year ahead.

1.  Practice Gratitude.  I often think about how grateful I am for certain people in my life but I find myself falling short when it comes to letting those people know.  And so this year, practicing gratitude tops my list.  In big ways, or small ways, I will intentionally practice gratitude in my daily life.  This is one that takes effort.  It’s so easy to take the people around us who support us for granted in our daily lives.  I try to express my gratitude each day for the little things that come from my family, my hubby, my kids.  I’m always thankful to my wonderful clients, and have been setting Thursdays aside and a break from editing to send out notes or gifts of gratitude in what has become my version of “Thankful Thursdays”.  It feels kind of good to take a break and take some time to thank the people who make a difference in my humble little world.

2. My word for 2014 is ADVENTURE.  And I plan to have more adventure in my life, in our lives.  We’ve learned over the past few years that life can get pretty stagnant if we get complacent and don’t take enough risks.   And adventure doesn’t always reach out and smack you on the face, you have to seek it out.  But in the end adventure is right here in front of us, just waiting for the taking.

3.  Community.  I love the city we live in.  And despite it’s terrible reputation that precede’s it, it’s where we call home.  Over the past 4 years, getting involved in our community came easy because Jeff was on the front lines of everything that was happening in our community.  But now that he’s not, it will take more effort on our part to find ways to help & stay involved.  It’s good for our kids, it’s good for our hearts.  I consider that a win-win!

4. Learn something new.  Call me crazy, but at the age of  (haha nice try) I’ve decided to learn a new language, French.  I’m already fluent in Spanish and I figured why not?  You’ll find a hint of French infusion in my new website as an ode to my husband’s heritage.  And as we plan a trip to France & Spain in the next couple of years, I figured there’s no better time to learn and teach my family.  Nous verrons bien … So we shall see!

5. Read 10 books.  I know, I know, it doesn’t sound like a lot.  But as a mom of two and just an overall busy girl, reading is often a luxury.  And I loooove to read.  So that’s my goal this year.  To read (and finish) 10 really great books.  And I’m always taking recommendations.

6.  Simplify.  Everything.  We’ve honestly been working towards this as a family for the last couple of years, but in 2014 it takes on a whole new meaning as we now have not one but two little minds to impress upon and instill that life’s joy comes from within, not from without.  And that we have everything that we need, right here where we are now.  Everything from toys, to clothes to the food that hits the dinner table.  No more living this life of excess.  I’m over it.   Again, small changes come gradually, and it’s been one that we’ve been working on for a few years now.  

7. Travel More.  If there’s one thing that really makes my heart happy, it’s to travel.  Now the only problem with this is that I happened to marry a man who is quite the homebody.  Sorry, honey.  But you are.  But we have a few exciting trips planned this year already and I can’t way to get out of the ho hum of everyday life here in freezing Michigan.  Starting with our first trip as a family out of the country where I’ll be shooting a destination wedding in Mexico!  Wow, that just made my office 15 degrees warmer.  Yes, we’ll be heading to Mexico to sun our buns, put our toes in the sand and splash in the surf in Riviera Maya to kick off my wedding season this spring.  Then we’ll be heading to Florida to shoot a friend’s wedding on our 15th wedding anniversary.  We are thrilled to be celebrating with friends (who are more like family honestly) and we’ve yet to decide if this will be an adults only trip or it will involve a certain Mouse for the kids.

8.  Yoga.  This goes right along with practicing gratitude, and is almost certain to top my list every year.  Yoga for me is almost therapeutic and the fact that it keeps me in shape is just a bonus.  It’s challenging to me mentally, and physically.  It gives me peace of mind and makes my heart feel grateful.  I try to practice at home when I can, but I prefer to go to a place that offers a community of Yoga like The Yoga Shelter.

9.  Overcome Fears.  Fears can be uncomfortable.  They can be scary.  But often times, we make a bigger deal than they really are.  I took the off camera flash bull by the horns last year and stepped outside of my comfort zone a few times.  It was fun, challenging and scary all wrapped up into one.  As a wedding photographer, I had my system down an knew what worked.  But for seniors, I had been wanting to play and experiment a little.  Luckily, I had a few seniors that were game and let me spread my wings.  And because shooting this way is still a little scary for me, it makes my list in 2014.

10. Grow.  This is a big one.  And we can often feel stagnant in where we are and even in our abilities as artists.  I grew last year in many ways, but didn’t set aside time to attend a workshop or a mentorship.  2014 will change all of that as I head to one of the most coveted retreats for women photographers in September, Bliss & Bokeh.  Oh, how I’ve drooled over the opportunity to attend this one, and even wondered if it would be a good fit for me.  But my heart has been calling me back to my roots and I’ll be exploring a little film this year.  I don’t yet know how or if this will fit into my current style of shooting, but I’m more than willing to explore.  So in September, my dear friend Sarah Kossuch and I will be heading down to Charleston, SC to attend this amazing retreat.  We’ll have the opportunity to connect with other women in the wedding industry, shoot for 3 styled shoots, and shoot & explore  film with equipment on loan from Contax Rental.  And all of this in Charleston … swoon.  It’s going to be amazing!

11.  Big Ideas. Have you every had a big idea that was so big you didn’t really know where to start? One that just kept creeping back into your mind from time to time until the point where it drove you a little mad each year when you weren’t brave enough to take the steps to make it happen?  Yeah … that one.   Well, I also had one of those big ideas and 2014 will be the year that I will finally see it happen.  I’m excited to announce Art + Soul | The Retreat that will be happening in the summer of 2014!  Yes, along with my friend Sarah Kossuch we put our crazy heads together and decided that we’d love to make this idea a reality.  Think Up North, 10-15 women, a house on the lake and 2-3 days of inspiration, shooting and connections.  Ok, there might be a lot of wine involved as well.  But it’s going to be one of the highlight of our summer this year, and we can’t wait to share all of the details which are still coming together.

12.  Unplug.  More often.  Get outside, smell some fresh air and use both hands to do more.  Think about that.  Both hands.  How often do we find ourselves cooking, at a stoplight, waiting in line at the grocery store … living our life with one hand while the other is holding a cell phone.  No more.  And it’s quite a habit that may take some time, but this is one that I’m determined to conquer.  I no longer have some of my favorite apps on my phone.  Baby step, people, baby steps.

13.  Yoga.  Oh, wait.  I already mentioned that?  Ok, well it makes the list twice this year.  Becasue that’s how much I need it to keep my sanity.  And my butt firm, too.

14.  Live intentionally.  Something that is said so loosely, but when put into practice can make an enormous difference in everything you do.  This might mean something different for everyone.  But for me, it means using my beloved Day Designer to plan my day, my life and refine my business core.  See … it all starts with the core.  That’s where the heart is, and when you start with the heart amazing things will happen.