I think I’ve said it 1,000,000 times: I’d rather work at Starbucks than lose the joy I have in photography. If it comes down to simply making money and being miserable with a camera or schlepping lattes and keeping the joy — honey, I choose joy every day.
Same goes for Nutrisystem. I started the program with enthusiasm, and became less enthusiastic as I realized that ALL the joy in eating was gone. Like, ‘it’s 2:00, time for a protein!’ just isn’t the same as simply eating well and being accountable for it. When I cried and screamed to avoid having another Nutrisystem dinner (God bless Matt,he didn’t leave or throw anything at me for having gone crazy), I knew it was done. The joy is gone. And therefore, the Nutrisystem is gone.
I’d rather be fat and blissful than skinny and forced to suck down one more dehydrated, nutrient-free and preservative-laden meal. I was literally starving and still not willing to complete the lunch and dinner entrees. UGH.
(The quest for losing weight doesn’t end — I’m going back to Weight Watchers, in which you’re accountable for what you eat, but it isn’t cheating to have food that doesn’t come from a badly-branded cardboard carton for dinner.)
My point, and I do have one: where is your joy, and how can you keep it?
It might mean getting a little more exclusive. You might have to give up shooting families or weddings or seniors or headshots or whatever it is that is a thorn in your side — and worrying about how to pay the bills as a result — but you’ve gotta believe the joy is worth it.
Conversely, it might mean adding that boudoir line you’ve been dreaming of to your repertoire, or making the most of the newborn portraits that you’ve been afraid to show off.
From the bottom of my no-doubt-cholesterol-clogged-but-blissful heart, I beg you to keep the joy and guard it ferociously.
I literally have been thinking about these thoughts all weekend…even down to the boudoir thoughts! thanks for putting the words to my thoughts this morning and for the encouragement!
I just wanted to say that right now, in this moment*, you are my favoritest.
*what can I say, I’m fickle, and I just clicked open a Danielle LaPorte link from your twitter, so things could change quickly.
But back to the point (which is your utter fabulousness and rightness). You are both fabulous and right. Can I add a goal to my dominatrix list? Cut the crap and find the joy. Lather rinse repeat.
double cheek kiss,
J.
You have my vote! It’s the philosophy I live by 100%!
Love this post. Joy is what life is about (and LOVE), but that’s a whole other topic.
You should try the Seratonin Power Diet. That’s what Jenny & I did for 3 months, I dropped 40 lbs. and Jenny lost 32. You eat normal foods, and it was actually pretty simple to follow. Both Jenny and I did work out while dieting, but that’s a given, right? Good luck on your quest and thanks for all the great material you consistently post
Love this post and I completely agree!!! My thing is Happy! If it don’t make me happy, I ain’t doing it!!! I just found your blog today and I will be back!!
) Great stuff!
I just finished reading “Women, Food, and God”…….such wonderful information on why we really eat the wrong things. I’m off the treadmill of dieting and fighting and focusing on the feelings that are driving the desire to overeat. I am seeing and feeling changes, slowly but it’s happening. Geneen Roth will be on Oprah tomorrow (5/12) if you want to check out her thoughts on the issue. Best of luck to you!!!
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What a great post! I totally believe in doing what you love too and i am slowly getting there. Have to work a 9-to-5 job too in the meantime to pay the bills though!
Given that I’m still (not very happily) schlepping lattes, going to school, and hunting down design internships, photography definitely is my happy time.
Thank you so much for this post! There are tears of JOY in my eyes as I read it again for the I don’t know how many-nth time. I have been clinging to my “job” while slowly building my photography skills, learning the business ropes, etc.. But when I do my “job” I feel irritated, angry, out-of-sorts .. because it’s keeping me from my joy – photography! I know now that fear has been keeping me in my safe “job”. But … to quote an old saying (who said this anyway?) “Do what you love, the money will follow”. I can’t up and quit my “job” because there are people other than myself depending on that income (a.k.a. my family) but now I have a renewed sense of purpose. Even when doing my “job” I can hold the vision of joy. Oh, and Kristen, if you’re interested in truly joyful eating, check out the raw food movement. You may want to start here: http://therawdivas.com/
Bright Blessings!
When I went to college, I decided to major in advertising/marketing instead of doing things I really loved like web design and photography because I thought making them a job would kill the joy. I’m glad I have those skills under my belt but what really killed years of joy is doing jobs I hate and having to push my loves to the side!