This morning I woke up groggy. My shoulders pushed against themselves down into the mattress and my legs were revolting against my brain’s encouragement to get up and move. It's trudging days like today when I'm reinforced, when the support I know I have around me shows up and hugs me. Some of these days I am more the receiver of support and on others I am more the giver of support. This life is an ecosystem filled with symbiotic relationships - parasitic, communal and mutually beneficial. It helps to recognize our role and the roles of others around us, nourishing the ecosystem we are in.

Through my years as a photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many wonderful people. Through pain, celebrations and growth I’ve started to settle into a lush garden of vibrant, complementary people from the bold and vibrant, to the essential and hidden. The occasional weed pops up and, of course, non-complimentary plants are encouraged to uproot (or be uprooted) and exist in a place more fit for them - but that’s just life, yeah? I’m so thankful for the integral relationships in my own ecosystem. It’s a beautiful connection we share with others - where we can allow someone to step in where their strengths fit our vulnerabilities and we can step into their vulnerabilities with our strengths, it's amazing.

I love connecting with strong women who take negative experiences and turn them into positive opportunities in which they can help other people who are where they have been. Life is full of inspiring redemption stories, all pointing up.

My heart is full.

Wishing you all peace and health in this upended state of life we’re living in.

You may have heard me change my tune a bit when it comes to self care. Previously, I posted a quote on Instagram that says "Self care is more than chocolates and bubble baths" and it started an interesting dialogue. There was a comment on my post said in jest, however, it instigated me to reflect. It's not that I've changed my mindset about self care. I've just grown my definition of it and, with that reflection, I've decided there was a lot more I wanted to say on the subject. 

We're often told that self care is taking "me time" and enjoying bubble baths with a glass of wine or having a spa day and eating chocolates. I believe full-heartedly in the pampering side of self care. In fact, if I could be writing this from my bath tub filled with steaming water, bubbles to my chin, soaking in my lavender salts with a wine glass in hand, well, I wouldn't turn that opportunity down. Here's the thing though, even though the pampering type of self care is predominately what's out in the market, that self care isn't a solution. It's a delicious dessert at the end of a hearty meal but it's not the main course.

So, what does that mean "self care" actually is? 

Recently, I've grown to realize that self care is taking action and making decisions that better your life and/or help you become the best version of yourself. Like all things, that means different actions for different people. For me, part of that means taking time to get outside and hike in the quiet of a mountain side, it means exploring, delving into new details and stories. It means structuring where I invest my time so I can give people the best of me. I tend to want to do everything. Fact is, I can't. I have limited energy and limited mental capacity. If I spread myself too thin or don’t recharge out in the backcountry, I'm not only wearing myself down but I'm not giving the best of me to those who truly need my investment.

Over the next few month’s you’ll likely see a few changes in my business; changes that may seem odd but that, in the end, will help me better serve you - my clients. I’m excited to see how this process evolves! I have a good feeling about where I’m heading and how I’m going to show up for you.

You all are the best. (Seriously) Thank you for your love and support! I look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Hugs,

Alyson

"Confessions here…. the kind if you’re an entrepreneur or a business owner - the uncomfortable kind that you often second guess sharing. Well, I’m sharing anyway because I wanted to share the encouragement I found from the lesson I learned." | Winston-Salem Photographer | Quotes for the Female Entrepreneur | She is Not Me | Inspirational Quotes | Life Lessons for the working woman | Dealing with Comparison in the Workplace |

Entrepreneurial confessions here…. You know the kind if you’re an entrepreneur or a business owner - the uncomfortable kind that you often second guess sharing. Well, I’m sharing anyway because I wanted to share the encouragement I found from the lesson I learned.

You see, recently I found myself discouraged because another local photographer- who I just so happen to admire and support - started working with a brand I'd been aiming to work with. This realization was followed with some harsh criticisms for myself and then a significant mood drop - and zero celebration for the other photographer. I'm not proud to say it but, I was having a pity party for myself - and it's embarrassing to admit that I was struggling with being supportive.

After some course-correcting from a friend (who you surround yourself with is important!!) I started to think further outside of my initial microscopic perspective. Then, again, when another friend shared about a lost friendship and how we all make our own decisions and dream our own dreams, the puzzle pieces fell a little further into place.

SHE IS NOT ME.

This realization shifted my internal perspective and I found healing. Fundamentally, I know we are all different, I know we all are created uniquely, however, I often hear harsh whispers in my brain showing me I fell short. So when "she is not me" hit my heart and not just my head, there was peace.

And that's what I want to encourage you all with today. I hope each of you who struggle with the competitiveness of being an entrepreneur or aiming to keep your position or going for a promotion - THEY ARE NOT YOU. Yes, what you have to offer is phenomenal. What they have to offer is phenomenal also. Sometimes someone else will be a better fit and that narrows down your path just a little bit more to the people, the person, the brand, the better timing, the position that is the better fit for you. I want to remind you today, like I've been having to remind myself, SHE IS NOT ME.