I like to write, a lot, and I have since I was a kid. I shared this with a friend the other day, and they said I should add a blog section to my website. So here I am, writing out loud in case someone else wants to read what I have to say.

I have been on maternity leave figuring out this whole mom thing since January. We have been blessed with the most amazing baby girl. It is this first time in my life that I haven't worked since I got my first job. As a self-proclaimed workaholic, this was a bit scary in the beginning. What was I going to do with all that time? After all, babies just sleep most of the time, right? While motherhood has kept me plenty busy, I have also found myself with the gift of time I have never found in my many years of working my butt off.

Inspiration is a word that gets thrown around pretty often, but when was the last time you felt truly inspired and actually acted on it? Every time I scroll Instagram or meet a new person or chat with old friends I'm inspired, but that's usually as far as it goes - until now. I am reading that book, I am trying that coffee shop, I am booking that photoshoot, I am living in the moment, and best of all I am soaking up every magical and precious second with my daughter. 

We only get this one trip around the sun, and I used to dream about living this big, grand life. But that big, grand life was always so out of reach. Not anymore - that big, grand life has been right in front of me the whole time. It isn't about the money in your bank account. It isn't about some National Geographic worthy vacation. And it certainly isn't about the photos your post on Instagram. It's about being truly present in the now, and making the most of what's right in front of you.

Every day we wake up and get a million choices. Turn your phone off, connect with the amazing humans around you, and do all those things you really want to do. Don't wait for vacation, or the perfect person, or when you have enough money. Keep it simple. Choose happiness. Be present. Do it now.

Ok, don't worry - I won't always write about how amazing your life could be. This is just what got me here, writing out loud. What I want to share with you is about my adventures as a photographer, collaborating with rad humans and sharing their story. So come back and read again soon.