Rediscovering the magic of slowing down without standing still
Less hustle. More sunshine, lobster rolls, and making room for the moments that matter.
Summer is officially here, and life is busy.
Comfortably busy.
I think that's the new energy I'm putting out into the world. Not glorifying burnout or wearing an overbooked calendar like a badge of honor, but choosing a schedule that leaves room to breathe. To create. To enjoy the season instead of simply surviving it.
As kids, we're programmed to love summer because there's no school. Summer meant freedom. Sleeping in, riding bikes, hanging out with friends, chasing the ice cream truck, and spending entire days outside without a care in the world.
As adults...well, depending on your profession, summer doesn't exactly come with three months off.
Instead, I sweat a lot more.
I have to remember sunscreen, check for ticks after being outside, drink enough water, and somehow still get everything done.
So I've made a decision.
'90s Summer is back.
I'm putting on Summer Girls by LFO with the windows down. I'm buying a sweet treat from the ice cream truck whenever I can. I'm eating as many lobster rolls as reasonably possible. I'm chasing sunsets, spending evenings outside, and reminding myself that not every moment has to be productive to be worthwhile.
This post goes live on Friday, July 3rd, but I'm writing it on Wednesday, July 1st.
Tomorrow (July 2nd) I have the pleasure of photographing Ryane and Kyle's wedding at one of my favorite Connecticut wedding venues: Tyde at Walnut Beach in Milford.
The light is incredible. The waterfront views never disappoint. The food is amazing, and every time I'm there, the hospitality makes the entire experience feel effortless.
In my opinion, it's one of the best wedding venues in Connecticut. I'll definitely be sharing a full blog post about Tyde at Walnut Beach in the coming weeks (or months), because it deserves one.
The rest of July is shaping up to be exactly the kind of month I was hoping for:
Family sessions.
Newborn sessions.
Weddings.
Fireworks.
A creative shoot.
Sunflower fields.
Family parties.
And to close out the month, I get to attend a wedding as an actual guest instead of the photographer—a rare treat that I'm genuinely looking forward to.
Typically, my weekends are packed with second-shooting weddings. For years, that was just what summer looked like.
But this year, I finally decided to take my own advice. I want to be comfortably busy.
Yes, I could always use more income. Yes, I'd love to be completely booked. But at what cost?
I'm choosing my mental health. I'm choosing my creativity. I'm choosing work that excites me instead of saying yes simply because my calendar has room.
That doesn't mean I'm working less.
It means I'm working with more intention.
I'm leaving space for inspiration.
As someone who's spent years telling other people to slow down, be present, and appreciate the little moments, I realized I needed to start listening to my own advice.
Honestly, I'm excited about these next couple of months.
I finally feel like I'm settling into a rhythm that feels authentic. My photography, my art, this blog, and even the way I'm choosing to spend my time all feel a little more aligned.
Maybe that's what this summer is really about.
Not doing less.
Not doing more.
Just being comfortably busy.
And somewhere between weddings, family dinners, fireworks, beach sunsets, sunflower fields, lobster rolls, and a 90's summer hits playlist streaming through the speakers, I have a feeling I'll rediscover the kind of summer that always felt like a touch of magic.