One thing I’ve never been super great at is balance… Not on a beam and definitely not in life. You can ask anyone close to me, and they will quickly tell you that I am a world-class procrastinator, which often leads to many stressful situations. People often say that big life changes, like getting married, make you grow up. Well, I wouldn’t say that I woke up on the morning of March 17, 2012 as the world’s most responsible adult, but being a new wife has definitely showed me many areas where I can develop a little more balance. I recently stumbled upon the inspirational Emily Ley, who is a talented designer, and I love, love, LOVE this piece of work she’s created:
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Obviously, I need to get my little procrastination problem under control… Somewhere in an office, Aaron is screaming, “AMEN!” But I’ve also realized that I don’t need to say YES to everything, and this will greatly help me maintain a life of balance. This week, I’m filtering through my business, daily life, and routines to figure out what I need to say “NO” to I can start saying “YES” to the things that matter most to me. What I’ve come up with so far:
-Saying no to sweets during the week, so I can have a healthier lifestyle… And binge on the weekends.
-Saying no to randomly eating out, so we can say yes to having a nice date night once a week.
-Saying no to newborn/children shoots, so I can say yes to focusing on families, couples, and seniors.
-Saying no to reading just one more chapter of Harry Potter, so I can say yes to feeling refreshed when I wake up in the morning.
-Saying no to a couple who would be a better fit for a different photographer, so I can say yes to a bride and groom who fit my style and mesh with my personality.
-Saying no to another 20 minutes of Say Yes to the Dress, so I can say yes to taking Noley on a walk.
-Saying no to making a mental to do list and actually use my planner, so I can say yes to accomplishing all my tasks for the day.
-Saying no to emailing, blogging, editing, etc, past 5pm, so I can say yes to spending quality time with Aaron when he’s home from work.
-Saying no to traveling more than a few weekends a year for weddings, so I can say yes to maintaining my wifely duties at home.
Of course, saying “no” is so much easier said than done, but I really feel that if I am able to hone in on what’s most important, it will help me develop into a better person, wife, and photographer. I know life is NOT all about me and what I want, but I also know that creating a better balance will positively effect my husband, clients, friends, family, and even Noley. :)
What are some things you’ve learned to say “no” to? Do you have any practical tips on achieving this balance?
Kristin - Love this