"The world doesn't need another magazine-worthy mantle." My thoughts and words to Brett earlier this week, after posting two photos in the same afternoon and quickly noticing how the likes escalated on one, which was the messier of the two.
Let me explain: a few days ago I posted a photo on IG (therosylifeblog) of my mantle. I'm not usually a "like" kind of gal, meaning I don't know what the tips and tricks are to gain more followers or hearts and I don't care to know either. But a few hours later I was folding laundry in my VERY messy "craft"/laundry room, chugging coffee at dinner time so that I could hang out at a Christmas party later that night. SO real life as a 34-year old mama of three. In fact, so real across the board. Much of my life is rather messy right now.
I noticed as the "likes" began trickling in, so did the comments. Not for my styled mantle, which don't get me wrong, I adore! It was fun to decorate and a feast for my eyes while I do the dishes. But what really got people's attention was my messy room, my honesty about how most of life isn't "IG ready" or magazine-shoot ready and that is OK. Person after person commented, telling me how much better they felt after seeing such honesty.
I wonder what we've done to ourselves that we feel so much pressure to be so perfect, coiffed, styled, and producing a steady stream of fantasy? You all know my heart-I adore photography and all of the many sides to it. In fact, one of my goals in the new year is to actually challenge myself to do MORE styled type shots with props and things because there's such a method of storytelling to that. But you know what else I truly crave above all else? Authenticity.
People, photos, books, memories, messes, moments, friendships, and feasts that are "come as you are", kind of welcoming. I'd say by the rally around my chaos of a photo, your heart has the same cry. I'm asking myself (and you) to figure out what handful of things we really want to give our all, and then be ok with not being able to do #allthethings. For example? I just closed my Etsy shop. Right now, I can't balance photography, an art shop, being a mom to three, and the foster care world. Oh, and we farm and teach Sunday School too.
Something had to give. So as you know, I closed my art shop. Instead I'm going to choose to express myself artistically by wrapping Christmas presents in a creative way and continue to look for ways that real life can be art. If I only showed you the beautifully wrapped presents you might think my life is functioning perfectly, that I'm keeping all the balls rolling. The truth is, all the areas of my life are sorta balanced, but usually taking turns at being front and center. And that is ok.
Here's to embracing our happy messes,
our just plain messy messes,
and calling it all worthy.
No comments:
Post a Comment