I have learned that if I push myself hard enough and stay open-minded, I can achieve things I never thought were possible.
If I can do it so can you. Believe me, it’s worth it.
In the world of blogging and social sharing, there’s this constant pressure to keep up and create a constant source of new & compelling content. It is essential to do this if you want to be different and stand out.
For me, being different has always been a goal of mine. Even though I desire to walk down a path different from most, at times it’s hard to not be knocked down by how much more others are able to do. It almost feels like I’ll just never be on that level..
I have to mentally slap myself when I start feeling that way because the truth is it doesn’t matter what others are doing.
It doesn’t.
All that matters is what I can and am willing to do.
I thought for months, that because I didn’t have someone to help me with taking my photos that I was out of luck. In a way, I felt like it was over for me.
My husband was a huge help when it came to my photography. However a year ago he took a job that has made it almost impossible to rely on having his help. Sometimes just taking care of two children makes taking a shower or doing the dishes seem like an insurmountable task.
One of the most challenging lessons that I’ve learned as an adult is that there’s no one to hold your hand and guide you through the challenges that are sure to come your way. You have to learn to guide yourself.
That can be a frightening realization but also a liberating one.
I changed my mentality from believing that because of my personal circumstances I could no longer chase my dreams, to believing if I just showed up just a little bit each day my dreams would still be attainable.
When you tell yourself no, your brain will immediately stop when it comes to thinking of solutions.
If you instead choose to tell yourself there are possibilities, your brain will work on solutions to make the things you want a reality.
Here’s exactly how this way of thinking has changed things for me.
Photos are so important to me when it comes to bringing JLC to life. I feel like they’re one of the best ways to share my point of view and that’s why for a while I felt like if I couldn’t take the photos I wanted, this all was done for me.
So I started thinking of solutions. Taking care of my little ones and all that comes with that makes it difficult for me to make friendships the way I’d like to, especially in a place that I don’t know very well. So getting outside help for photos felt like it was off the table for me.
Instead, I found a tripod that could do the job for $6 on Amazon and another $6 purchase for a wireless remote for my camera. I really doubted if I could get the kind of shots I wanted with such a setup but regardless of these thoughts, I pushed on.
During nap times, I practiced and practiced with my new gear. At first, I was met with a lot of disappointment.
Nevertheless, I kept trying and eventually, I felt good about what I was coming up with.
That inspired me.
I stepped back for a moment and felt so surprised by what was happening. I think these kind of moments are just truly magic. These magical moments when you show yourself you really can solve your own problems, you don’t need others to do it for you and that you also don’t have to give up.
In the world of Instagram and blogging, I see so many people who have help for their photos. Initially, this fact made me feel that if I didn’t have help with my photography, my photos would never be good enough.
No, my photos are not the greatest thing ever but at the end of the day, I’m getting more comfortable with the fact that I do them all by myself & am also feeling a bit of pride, even.
I share this story because I want you to truly know you can whatever you set your mind to. Whether that’s related to blogging, photography, starting up a podcast, pottery, whatever it is! You can do it regardless of your circumstances! Just give yourself a chance to make it work.
Don’t give up.
We all have responsibilities to our loved ones on top of maintaining other major aspects of our lives. But we also deserve something of our own. Something to give us that fuel to keep going and enjoy life a little bit more.
Honestly, I really believe that the key to making magic happen in your life is by finding something to be excited about every single day. It doesn’t have to be some huge thing that everyone you know would be like, “Wow that’s awesome!”.
It can be as simple as picking up flowers, getting excited about reading that book you’ve been putting off, or making someone you love smile.
I believe that it is essential that you do this because when I do it, wonderful things start coming to me like I’m a magnet pulling them in.
Sometimes I do have really low days & there’s just nothing that can bring me out of my funk. But I still try to just find one thing that’ll make me smile. Even on these dark days this still helps me to see things in a much better light.
I hope that this post in some way will help you and remind you of just how powerful you are.
xo.
25 Comments
Claudia
August 30, 2017I just found your blog and, oh my god,, I love it so much! I love your photos, it’s so impressing to know you take them yourself.. Also, I really like this post, it’s very inspiring for me, a young woman who is about to star her adult life (I’m going to univeristy next month).
Thank you so much for words of encouragement!
I hope you have a wonderful day ♡♡
lex
September 7, 2017Thank YOU my dear! I wish you all of the luck this year as you start your adult life! :*
Princess Smitty
August 19, 2017OMG, Lexie! You have me in tears — of joy, that is111 You are such an inspiration! I love your attitude toward life!!! You simply say we should all be who we want to be!!! And that’s so wonderful! Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us!!! I’m not sure you realize how amazing you really are!!!
lex
August 24, 2017Oh my dear you are so wonderful and I am SO thankful for you!! Thank you love!
Mary Colleen
August 17, 2017This was a very encouraging post and just what I needed to hear the other day. We can end up being so critical of ourselves and completely miss what good things we have accomplished, and seeing outselves for what we are worth.
Thank you so much for sharing,
Mary
https://www.themarycurator.com/
lex
August 19, 2017Oh my dear Mary thank you! You are so right my dear and I am so glad you found this helpful. Enjoy your weekend my dear!
Rosa
August 17, 2017OMG you’re taking all those amazing photos yourself?????? Wow, I always thought you’ve got a great photographer at home helping you! :-D Seriously, they are beautiful and perfect. I adore them. Thanks, this is a great inspiration. And you are so very right – it’s only when one stops telling him/herself “you can’t do it, you’re not good at it” and gives it a shot that something surprising, amazing starts to happen. And when it does, often it’s a source of great happiness. Kudos to you, this post needed to be written <3 I'm sure it will help out many.
lex
August 19, 2017Rosa you are such a sweetheart girly thank YOU so much my lovely!!! You have made my weekend :*
Joann
August 16, 2017What a beautiful and inspiring post, Lexie! You are such a gift to us all! I love your style and your photos are just great. You help me face my own challenges and let me see I can overcome my hurdles! Thank you, Girl!
lex
August 16, 2017Joann thank you so much my dear! Seriously YOU inspire me and it means the world to hear from you and to also help you!
Stephanie (aka stephieluvsmakeup)
August 16, 2017Hi Lexi
You;re photo’s are truly wonderful because they are genuine and reflect your values so perfectly. We all love them because twe aspire to live a life like yours and its such a treat to have a samll window into your world. Keep inspiring us and stay true to yourself. You are a wonderful person, woman, mum, wife and friend to your followers.
Stephie
lex
August 16, 2017Stephie I swear I could never thank you enough for being such a loving and wonderful person. I am so thankful to have found you! Thank you for every my dear!
Natalie
August 16, 2017Your are so inspiring, Lexi!! Keep up the AMAZING work on the blog!! You are such a role model for me and i love how you don’t follow trends and have your own AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS style!!
lex
August 16, 2017Natalie you are so sweet thank you so much girly. I truly appreciate you!
Trish
August 16, 2017Agreed, your photos are lovely! They inspire me so much to take some lovely photos of my own!
lex
August 16, 2017Oh my sweet Trish I can’t tell you enough how thankful I am for you every day! That makes me so happy and I can’t wait to see your beautiful photos!
Trish
August 16, 2017Aww, thank you hon, I appreciate that and you so much :-)
Trish
August 16, 2017I just reread your comment and got all choked up, thanks hon :-)
lex
August 16, 2017Oh my dear you are so so sweet. I swear the internet can have its downsides but I feel so lucky to have it to be able to connect with such wonderful people like you!
Trish
August 17, 2017Aw, thanks, hon, the feeling is mutual :-)
lex
August 19, 2017thank you so much my dear :*
Ashley Bird
August 16, 2017Thanks so much for pouring out your heart ? I love reading your blog hun ✨?? and I truly understand the struggle-as a mom blogger- trying to achieve the goals of all the single girls seems unattainable, but at the end of the day, I truly feel blessed, I feel like superwoman by all the things I am able to accomplish in a day-between household chores, my instagram, my youtbe and my little side business- I’ve always said this “I don’t limit myself to 24 hours in the day” and it’s something that’s helped me stay strong even in the bad times ✨? stay strong! You’re an amazing woman, blogger, & mom!!! ?????
lex
August 16, 2017Ashley thank you so so much my dear! You are so incredibly wonderful and an inspiration to me! Stay strong girl!! ???
Lynda
August 15, 2017I think your photos are great!!! You do a wonderful job!
lex
August 16, 2017Thank you so much Lynda! I truly appreciate it! Have a wonderful rest of your week my dear!