Fort Collins, Colorado Intimate Portraits | 2021
How tempting it is to focus on the shitshow that was 2020. The year opened with high hopes that faded quickly for so many of us. And I don’t know about you but the last few weeks have felt extra heavy, perhaps because this time of year often lends itself to reflections.
In the process of looking back at the heartache and headaches that riddled the start of a new decade, lessons were found among the many tears shed.
Many of us found our daily routines disrupted, paused with no idea of what would come next. We learned the art of the pivot, tweaking the way we work, trying new things, and finding alternate ways to get by, helping those around us in a way we may never have if we weren’t all thrust into such a weird predicament in the first place.
As much as I struggled, I put even more energy into making sure I could help those around me and I often felt that same energy returned. Friendships grew stronger, some faded. Things found a way to work themselves out, making space for priorities to re-align where they had gone astray.
And I can’t write anything about 2020 without mentioning my sweet soul-pup, Dinosaur. With his passing, I learned again that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I still find myself short of breath when I think of him and I don’t know that that kind of sadness will fade anytime soon.
Losing two family members, I was reminded that an extra day is never guaranteed and to focus on home life a bit more. I’ve shifted my business a bit and made changes to allow for more time with the two people I love more than anyone: Hayden & Dylan.
I’ve really defined boundaries, begun resetting the tone for relationships that aren’t the healthiest, and let go of a lot of hurt.
In writing this, I think back to all the conversations I’ve been lucky enough to have this year. Without a doubt, one of the best things about staying home so much has been time for phone calls. Yeah, I said it. Eeek! But it’s true. Having time to chat, to listen, to lament, and to offer and receive advice has been essential to getting through this year.
While I know the calendar flipping to 2021 doesn’t reset things instantly, my hope is that the year is kinder, more forgiving, and the sense of community stays strong. Stopping shy of talking about any specific hopes for the new year. Trying to be safe, you know. But I do have big ideas for 2021 and I’ve begun working on what I need to do to tackle things.
On that note, Happy New Year!
I wish you a year of joy, accomplishments, love, and adventure.