Friday, February 22, 2013

Showing Up For Myself


February's self portraits for project 365 have been spotty, at best. I spent several days recovering from an IV steroid treatment that knocked me flat. I could barely function. Picking up my camera was the last thing on my mind. After that, it was hard to get back into the groove of shooting every day. Finally, I made a promise to myself to JUST DO IT and jumped back in.

On Valentine's Day, I felt I had enough energy (creative and otherwise) to shoot this idea that had been knocking around in my head. I think it turned out better than what I had envisioned. I love when I surprise myself-that's what keeps it fresh for me and keeps me shooting.

I could choose to feel bad about not shooting every day this month, but I don't. The great thing about this project is that it really is all about me. Given everything that's going on in my life right now, I'm showing up for myself to the best of my ability. The beautiful women I am sharing this project with get that it's about the journey and not so much about the result. No one's keeping track or passing judgement. There are no photo police. 

At the end of the year, I will not have 365 self-portraits. I am perfectly okay with that because what I will have is a year's worth of a life lived and some images I am proud of as testament to that. 

*****

If things are a little quiet around here, it's because my husband had surgery on Wednesday to repair the torn bicep tendon he suffered when he and Indy were attacked by the pitbull/mastiff. It was so badly damaged that they had to harvest a tendon from his leg to rebuild the one in his arm. (So he actually had two surgeries in one.)  He came home in a full cast with a sling, so he's pretty incapacitated. It's a minimum 8-10 week recovery. It's going to be a very long time till things return to normal around here. 

7 comments:

Tara Finlay said...

You are right. There are no photo police. Do what feels right for you.

Best wishes to DH for a quick and good recovery.

Carol Browne said...

Jeepers :-(

I love you socks.

Anonymous said...

The photo and the sentiment are beautiful. I love this idea of showing up for yourself. I forget that it's so important.

Sorry to hear the surgery had to be so extensive! Be sure to take some quiet time to yourself too.

Bettyann said...

love the photo..makes me giggle...sorry to hear about the surgery...take care

Amy Huff said...

Sending lots of love and positive thoughts for speedy healing.

I love your approach to the 365 photos and choosing to be gentle with yourself. Given everything that's been going on I'm in awe that you get out of bed every morning! I would still be hiding under the covers.

Kris said...

Your photo is many things and I love how it spoke to me, of you :)
Scary story that led to the surgery.
Holding you three in pink light.

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

I love this photo...