State of Mind: End of April 2020 Update (bored in the house)
State of Mind: End of April 2020 Update
(bored in the house)
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS, WINTER 2020 | VIEW MORE ON INSTAGRAM: @FR33WATER
Hello all, how’s it going out there? I don't have any exciting trips to write about in April instead I thought I would blog about a general life update and some good habits that I have picked up during the quarantine downtime. It’s been especially challenging to find new work as a freelancer right now… And I totally get it, many businesses are quite unsure when things will be back to business as usual. Matter-of-fact now is a really interesting time… I feel like I have no certainty as to when things will return to a place where everyone can say things are back to 'business as usual'.
MORNING COFFEE W/ ME… MUG BY OAKLANDISH & CHEMEX COFFEE MAKER
Some days are better than others for me, I can be super productive one day and then bottom out the next to almost zero productivity… these days are challenging but I think we are all having them right now. I have had to learn to be ultra patient and very understanding during these unprecedented times… I have also had to learn that it’s OK to have a bad day here and there as long as you can pick up the pieces and keep moving forward. People continue to reach out to me and ask me "how are you doing? How are things going?" And my most common reply is that this has been an incredibly challenging time to launch my freelance business full-time. There is a strong chance that I will lose money like many other creatives who have lost out on income during this crazy pandemic of 2020.
THE FLAT IRONS, BOULDER, COLORADO | VIEW MORE ON INSTAGRAM: @FR33WATER
Alright, back to the backbone of this blog post “What good habits have I established during this downtime”
Establishing a yoga practice = better sleep, less back pain when I go out hiking w/ my heavy backpack
Meditating at the end of yoga = more patience, more understanding, more believing that it’s all going to be alright
Sun soaking for 20 mins & running = better shape when we continue hiking, what could be wrong with more Vitamin D right now?
Learning new skills on Skillshare = developing better business practices, learning new Photoshop skills and better pitch writing
Hiking (locally) and creating 2-3 times a week = getting out on a local trail and just forcing myself to consistently build a creative routine
Outreach = trying to reach new brands, new creatives to collaborate with and building out some (secret) creative projects I have always wanted to bring to life
CHASM LAKE, ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, ESTES PARK, COLORADO
“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.”
FRESH SNOW OVER BOULDER’S FLAT IRONS, BOULDER, COLORADO | VIEW MORE ON INSTAGRAM: @FR33WATER
So, I just want to be crystal clear - I am not writing this blog post to brag or make you feel like you should have done this and not done that… but I am trying to motivate you, as another month of this ‘stay at home’ begins to establish some positive, healthy habits for your creative mind, body and spirit. Also, it’s totally okay to have a few bad days, to have an unproductive afternoon but it’s time to understand that we’re living in the new normal and it’s also a great time to adapt. Adaptation can be different for everyone, and developing new habits can take time but give yourself that extra time for self-care, meditation, maybe a new yoga practice, deep rest/sleep or a healthy walk in the sunshine. I’ve also learned that journaling can be especially beneficial during challenging times like these… these are unique times so it’s can be healthy and relaxing to get your thoughts down on paper and out of your mind. Thanks for taking a moment to read this brief life update, I don’t have a lot going on in terms of photography right now, but as soon as I have a trip or something exciting to write about… I’ll be sure to share it here, first! I am also in the process of getting certified to become a hiking guide so that I can lead photography workshops into the National Parks when the pandemic does eventually subside… there are some exciting things on the horizon, along with a new blog idea I am playing with where I review local hiking spots and local hiking area for their photography and hiking potential. More content coming soon, until then HUGE thank you for always supporting my photography and travels. Until next time, be free as we can be… stay stoked out there
*Favorite audio book, right now (keep scrolling) ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear
*Favorite workout podcast, Illenium’s Phoenix Radio
*Favorite YouTube Yoga routine, Yoga With Tim
*Favorite music during Yoga, Felix Cartal’s Weekend Workout ‘Yoga Edition’
-F
SIMPLE REFLECTIONS NEAR MT. EVANS WILDERNESS, CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, COLORADO | VIEW MORE ON INSTAGRAM: @FR33WATER
