I’ve felt the desire to connect more with you. Mothers and women that all are living these similar lives, yet we often never have the chance to talk and connect. Maybe this will let me feel connected, sharing things I love and hoping in return it gives you something to read and view that isn’t the negative world of social media. I often look to Facebook to feel connected yet I instantly am repelled by people opinions and horrible judgments of others, it is not what we need in our daily life. Constant reminders of hate and political views don’t belong in our mind when we wake up and want to have a peaceful day with our families. Encouragement, pretty words, stories of hope, and maybe links to cute clothes do! ;) I realize real issues are so important, but this will not be the space for them. I love spending my time photographing clients, hanging out with my boys and husband, drinking tea, reading, thrifting and constantly remodeling/redecorating our home. I thought I’d start sharing photographs of those things, poems, recommendations, and just uplifting stories or peaceful ideas to inspire. I want everyone to find the simple joys in life as I work to do the same.
I’ll start here. Nature. When I was in my teens and 20’s I didn't find too much enjoyment in nature, I saw bugs, weeds, dirt, I thought it to be quite boring spending any long amount of time outdoors. After my sons started growing and loving the outdoors, I found myself spending all of my time out there, I also spend 10+ hours a week outside just doing photo sessions, numerous hours at football practices and games, dog let outs and early morning walks. I began feeling connected. I saw leaves with flickering light bouncing around from the sunshine, I heard soft sound of singing birds, I began to crave the blanket of big oak trees overhead and the soft earth beneath my bare feet. Four pedicures a month wouldn’t fix my feet now, I don’t wear shoes in the summer! I love collecting and drying natural flowers and foliage, adventuring through trails and fields is done on the daily, snakes don’t scare me anymore, bugs don’t really bother me and I dream of living a nature inspired life inside just as much as outside. Decorating my home with woods, stones and organic materials has given me a peaceful feeling in each room of our home, it has also given our home a timeless feel, one that isn’t on trend and won’t ever go out of style. Our vacations have also become less of fancy restaurants and outings and more of being in the water and seeing the local wildlife. I know dream of being a nature photographer one day when my boys are grown, traveling the world capturing all of the worlds animals. Dreaming is a must for a peace filled life, it’s so enjoyable to imagine doing things you love and having dreams come true! It gives your brain a break from everyday stresses and I find it so calming.
I hope my sons grow up wanting to be outdoors with their families as much as I love being outdoors with them! During covid-19 as we have all been staying home so much more, it has been a true gift to go outdoors, walk, breathe, and just know that we are right where we are supposed to be. Tomorrow morning my alarm will go off at 7 am and I will wake to make a chai tea, tip toe out to the patio trying not to wake the dogs, (the boys would never wake that early) I’ll sit on our swing and wake slowly to the sun rising.
~Crystal
Photo of the Rum River August 27th 2020
