6 Ways Cope When You're In a Slump

The last few weeks have been quite a motivational struggle for me. I know I am not the only one. It’s getting colder, it’s getting darker, and for those of you in Iowa, you know the weather has been absolutely terrible!

I would say most if not all of us will experience a slump at some point in our life, but you can’t let it discourage you. There are ways that can help alleviate these feelings of idleness. These are a few things that I do.

Drink Tea

Having a warm drink can soothe your body and mind. Tea is aromatic, too, and that can really help you feel a lot better! I usually go for an herbal tea that does not have caffeine, or a green tea that has minimal caffeine. Either way, drinking tea is a great way to settle you down, warm you up, and keep you hydrated.

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to balance your mind, and you don’t always have to set aside a lot of time to do it. Throughout my day, I will close my eyes and focus on a feeling or sound for about 10 seconds or so. Breathing is also important when you do this! When I focus on a positive feeling or sound, it reboots my thinking onto a more motivated path.

Go To Bed Early

It’s important to get enough sleep each night, because you literally need sleep to survive. If I am having a bad day, sometimes an extra hour of sleep can make a big difference. I wake up feeling a lot more positive and ready for another day.

Talk To Friends and Family

Socialize! Call somebody on the phone and have a real conversation with them. It doesn’t have to be about your day or about how you’re feeling, but having a casual conversation with another person can really boost your spirits. I like to talk to my brother, parents, or even my grandparents!

Cuddle/Play With My Dog

Dogs are great because they’re always up for an adventure, even if it’s just throwing a ball down the hallway! You’ll spot my dog, PJ, a few times in my Pet Photography Gallery. He’s the black dog with white chest markings and socks. Giving him extra play time and belly scratches always makes me feel happy and it makes him happier too. If you have a pet, give them some extra attention. It’ll be good for both of you!

Do the Task That I’m Dreading

Sometimes it’s best to just rip off the bandage. Putting off the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, etc. makes my lack of motivation even worse in many cases. If I can muster up the energy to just do the tasks that I don’t want to do, most of the time, it will push me to do more and my motivation problem is gone! The hardest part is starting.

We can’t let our slump get the best of us, because we are all better than that. Ask others for help and learn to rely on yourself for motivation. If you can do those things, you will be okay!

∆ Abbi

What Happens When You Procrastinate

It is literally 6:00am on September 26 as I am writing this. Due to this situation, this blog post will remain pretty brief, but I will do what I can with the time that I have! Now this post might sound angry, but I assure you, it is not. I hope it brings inspiration to those of you who read it!

Clearly, I have been procrastinating a bit this week. Some of it is due to unforeseen circumstances in my life, but it’s mostly because I didn’t put the time in.  

When you procrastinate, you’re not only holding others back, you’re holding yourself back. That isn’t fair to anybody. 

Life is going to kick you over, knock you down and push you around, but you can’t let it stop you from focusing on your goals. You can blame other people or situations for your failures and shortcomings, but it’s nobody’s fault but your own.  

“Wow, Abbi, that’s kind of harsh, isn’t it?” 

Yeah, it is. There are tough realities in life, but you have to prove that you can overcome them. Some are easier to overcome than others, but sooner or later, you can conquer anything.

 ∆ Abbi

San Diego 2018 Video

Visiting San Diego was genuinely one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. Here is a video of the highlights! I’d love to hear what you think! Enjoy!

∆ Abbi

Music: bensound.com

How To Choose a Photographer

The occasion is coming: A wedding, your kid's senior portraits, a new baby, or even capturing photos of your furry friend. Whatever the event might be, you need a photographer.

"But there are so many photographers out there, how in the heck am I supposed to choose one?"

Don't worry! You can narrow it down. There are a few major things you need to take into consideration when choosing a photographer for your special event. The three categories I will talk about will be your budget, the photographer's style, and your compatibility with the photographer. All three of these things (in my opinion) are crucial to having a great experience when it comes to hiring a photographer.

Budget

Obviously, the budget is important to you as a consumer. You will be the one paying for the service, so having a budget range in mind is crucial when searching around for a photographer. Make sure you are honest with your photographer when it comes to your budget, because many of us will do what we can to work with you. Some photographers offer their pricing on their website, but some don't. If you like a photographer's work, but they don't list their prices or you have questions about it, don't be afraid to reach out to them! 

Photographer's Style

Every photographer is different, which means every photographer will shoot and edit their images differently. Keep their style in mind and picture yourself in their shots. When you go to their websites, ask yourself some questions. Do you like the color of their photographs? Are their photos consistent? Do you like the composition? How does the photographer's work make you feel? Can you imagine yourself in these pictures? How would these pictures look on your wall? 

Compatibility

Lastly, you need to be able to get along well with your photographer. Everyone has a different personality and you need to make sure your photographer will be somebody you actually want to work with. If you don't like your photographer, it possible that it could show in the images. Plus, you could leave feeling like it wasn't worth it. When you talk to a potential photographer on the phone or meet up with them in person, make sure they make you feel comfortable and at ease. Again, if you feel uneasy or confused, it could show in your photographs. A good photographer will know how to give you not only great photos, but a great experience as well.

What I'm trying to say is, do what feels right. Don't stress out too much and trust your photographer! Making photographs should be fun for both parties! 

∆ Abbi