I’ve been so bummed about my balance of life… I suck at balancing!
I used to do little tutorials on my blog along with personal posts, quite often… but these days getting images up for viewing, which is the most important thing I do for my business.
All of that fun stuff, isn’t going to keep my business afloat… especially not in the eyes of my clients or in the back of my mind.
I’m doubtful that anyone really cares about those things like I do, but I surely do enjoy blogging – teaching – sharing… and have little time right now – to do so.
Totally understandable, but hard to fully grasp.
I keep thinking, “When will this get easier?”
I had a newborn session and my girls were staying across the street.
After grabbing them, Parx took out a box of chalk on the front steps – with her (always) wispy and messy hair and her bright colored rain boots!
The girls had a moment of fun. Edie always trying to eat the chalk, while toddler Parker wanted E to have NOTHING to do with “HER” (ie. Pierson’s) chalk. 🙂
I was thrilled to be able to capture this on camera.
While they may be messy, snotty, covered in bites and chalk – this is really my life.
These are my girls, who will never remember this colorful moment, but I will.
Capturing life as it happens, is really what my passion is.
I am so grateful to be ‘good’ at doing so.
(and I say that humbly and with gratitude of God’s bearing of gifts for each person on this planet)
It’s funny, because today I am in a hideous mood… apologizing to my assistant for being ‘blah’ and unperky.
I don’t handle stress well, nor do I like the anticipation of weeks ahead.
My calendar has all of these read boxes filled up with duties – and it turns me into a nervous wreck. 🙂 Silly me.
Perhaps stressed about life, work, answering emails, scheduling sessions, making baseball games, having time to dine and chat with friends, making sure to cook dinners, hiring babysitters, paying for this and that, traveling, and getting EVERYTHING done – in a fair amount of time.
I do NOT want to disappoint my clients… or my family. Two very important groups in my life!
I hope to not sound ‘whiny’ or as if I am crying out POOR ME… I know there are tons of working mothers out there… who probably feel the exact same way and probably won’t voice their struggles.
How the heck do we do it all and make everyone happy, while keeping your head above water?
There is so much pressure to be and do ALL in 2012.
I just came across this article, about how all our kids want is US. Their parents, snuggle time, opportunities to chalk up the front steps or ride bikes up and down the street together (Pierson and I had fun last night doing so).
Internet is awesome and has helped me in a variety of ways, but it can put pressure on all of us to be ‘awesome’ and better than so and so… keeping up with others on creativity, parenting, health, finances, etc.
It can be quite consuming of your head and heart.
So here is to being content through struggles, successes and making your small dreams and desires – your reality.
May you have a happy and fantastic day, just being you!
Enjoy my colorful chalk loving daughters!
Miss Parx (2.5y) and Miss Edie (8m)
I love this series below…
Parker’s new silly face…
HA! You captured that perfectly, Arden! I love the expressions! I too struggle with balance and it is good to not only have the reminder to capture my own kids and our life but also that I’m not the only one that struggles with it. Thanks!
Thank YOU Amanda. 🙂
It is like you talk from my soul 🙂
I’m one of those mothers :D. I love to watch your job and post, and I learn from you a lot.
I m working mother ( photographer but biginner in business) mother of two fantastic girls Lily (5 m) and Abigail (2,5y) and I’m hardly trying to devide the important time between my family, job and clients, loving husband, household, sport, our dogs, cooking, couple good friends and many other things – there is never enough time ….
We are having beautifull job, we know it, we enjoy it.
My english is not perfect, pleace accept my apologize
Best regards
REnata from Czech republic.
PS: beautifull photos as always 🙂
Awh Renata, thank you so much.
Work (though lovely) is still work.
I just love my kids and their place in life right now!
I would hate to miss out on it. 🙂
First of all Arden, you are amazing!! I personally LOVE when you share your insights and knowledge! You have taught me so much and I am forever grateful to you! You are such a wonderful mother even though I have never met you and probably never will 🙁 I can feel the love you have for your family and I’m sure they KNOW of your love for them! It’s incredibly hard to balance work, family and keeping your home a reasonable place to live in (mine seems to always be a mess) especially with multiple children but I think you do it gracefully! Not all days are good days but we wouldn’t appreciate them to their fullest if we weren’t thrown a few bad ones every once in a while. Chin up girl. 🙂
Thank you Ali, that means so much! 🙂
Amen sister! Reading your words felt as though they were pouring straight from my head! I’m trying to find the balance at this very moment. It seems as though my priorities are all outta whack and I too am struggling to keep my head above water. It sure is hard being Superwoman…sigh. 😉
Oh girl, you are just getting started. My words of wisdom… work comes second and don’t be afraid to say NO. 🙂 .love.
I think we all have those days when we regret having to leave our babies for any reason.
They grow up so fast, my baby is starting pre k this year and I will have all this extra time to study, practice, blog, work, edit or whatever but man i would rather cuddle, snuggle, eat popcorn and watch movies, color princess pics or just hold there little hands. Okay I’m about to cry, just wanted to let you know that although I do read your blog and love looking at your post and admire your photos you should never feel guilty about taking time for the kids and putting clients or followers second. Soon they will both be in school and you will have way more free time for social media and networking.
I know! I worry – if I keep working I will completely miss this stage, but I also don’t want to miss out on work. Since number three, I’ve had a much more difficult time with TIME and work.
I just love them so much and want to be ‘good’ and not create a feeling of dissatisfaction for them.
arden, this is such a beautiful post. you have captured motherhood and the struggle to “do it all,” and on many days i join you in those feelings. the link to the article you posted resonates with me and delivers such an important message that we can tend to forget. as a long time admirer of your photography and reader of your blog, i can see that you are every bit the best mom for your three gorgeous kiddos. so happy to see your delicious girls enjoying time with their mama… and their chalk. ; )
Kristin, thank you. It’s so important to learn balance and speak of our struggles. Without coming across ungrateful, weak and silly. Raising strong children to better our future world, is a very serious and intimidating job – while also loving and respecting (lifting up) our husbands. We must be soft, strong, weak, solid, sexy, lady like, fun, serious and proper. Sheesh, the Lord made it ‘not-so-easy,’ but more reason to lean on him! 🙂
Your kids are so gorgeous, and your photography is stunning… I’d say you’re doing a good job, even though I’m sure it can seem totally overwhelming at times! You are one of the photographers I aspire to be like (someday…) 🙂
Thanks so much Melissa! With hard work and dedication, you can!!!! 🙂
Hi…
We all feel like this at some point. You did the right thing to just go spend time with your family. When all is said and done it’s family that matters. And just so you know, you are actually special to me. I just got my Canon 5D Mark II. When I grow up I want to take pics like you! LOL I have been following your blog and take in all that I see. I think you are so talented and I have a great opportunity to learn from by reading your blog. So see, you matter! Even to a stranger like me. I felt your words and took them to heart. I will say a prayer for you tonight. Janet
Awh thanks Janet! I hope you are loving your markii – it’s been a special camera to me for a couple of years.
Cheers!
Dear Arden,
I have enjoyed your blogging and website for some time and have learned SO MUCH from you. Your willingness to share so much, from how you do a newborn session to your gear, is so refreshing. You are an EXCEPTIONAL photographer and I love your work. Reading this post, though, sounded like how I feel about my life. I feel so unbalanced, trying to get photos edited for clients and also be a good mother and take care of everything . . . it really is a lot and it seems that we are expected to be perfect at everything. Thanks for being transparent. Thank you for all you do. You’ve got your priorities straight, so I’m sure your life is more balanced than you think. – Lauri
Thank you Lauri, so much. Transparency is exactly what I want to show to others.
SO many people, especially mamas are afraid to show vulnerability and weaknesses.
I am throwing it out there, so I can learn and overcome. Thanks!