Literally bathing in a happy moment… documentary photography tells our tales.
You see there are many times as adults where I think we could learn from our kids. In the last few weeks, my days have been frantic and I am sure, as a parent, yours have too. Almost as though whatever strategies we put in place, whatever to do list we write, whatever routine we try to establish, we always seem to be falling behind or not quite achieving our expectations.
Perhaps this is why I have loved working with children pretty much most of my life. I totally understand that I often get the best of your kids and in a very tiny dose… but I guess the reason why I love working with them so much is that (putting tantrums aside), they absolutely ace at living life. Look at this little girl, from one of my Year in a Life fams, not an exceedingly hot day, but warm enough to quickly get the paddling pool out between heavy clouds and submerge herself in glorious sunshine and warm-ish water (dutefully brought from the kitchen ‘s hot tap by mum and dad)….
And here she is again… laying out a towel neatly, getting ready to lie on one of the nicest places to lie when it’s been sunny… a warm wooden bench.
And this little girly is only 5. She’s worked out how to chill, how to breathe it all in, how to let go and how to revel in it. (All be it for 30 seconds as she did move on “to the next thing”, as they do, pretty sharply). But you can see what am getting at.
So my question is this… is it that we don’t have the time? Or that we don’t make it? What can’t wait? For the sake of our mental health and our wellbeing? What is more important? Than us?
Easier said than done, I know… but you know what, if there is something I am definitely getting better at with age, it is actually respecting my own deadlines and ignoring other people’s when it’s possible. Need to put the washing on? Can it wait? Need to go shopping, can it wait? Need to pick the kids up from school, can they stay there? 😆🤣 Need to get back to your photographer, well, she can definitely wait! 😜
I don’t ace at living life but I kinda make it one of my aims. Am tired to try to please other people all the time, our lives are for our living and ours only. You don’t have to feel guilty about anything. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You’re a parent and that’s bloody insane that you can get through every day just being that.
On that note, happy hump day, peeps!
Exx
