Sister Portraits Indoor Home Session, Orange County, California

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO

REMIND YOURSELF WHERE YOU STARTED.

I have those days where I’m in a creative rut and feel incompetent about the work I’m producing. Then I start comparing myself to others who seem to be doing way better than I am. From there my thoughts begin to spiral downward and suddenly, I’m drowning.

Although I have not figured out the perfect solution to get out of these moments, I have realized that every person is living on their own timeline in life. Some may seem more advanced than yours, while others not.

Instead of torturing yourself with these negative thoughts of incompetency or feelings that you’re better than someone, the only fair thing to do for yourself is to compare yourself… to yourself. Because the most amazing thing is to see how much you’ve grown as a person from where you were X days/weeks/months/years/decades ago.

The other week I was catching up with my friend since middle school. We were talking about other people who went to school with us and how they were doing. We realized it was so damn amazing how far each person has come and ultimately were in awe how everyone is just trying to live their best life in whatever way that suits them.

So during my creative ruts and feelings of being incompetent, I reflect back on my old work. This image was taken in 2013. It’s been 6 freaking amazing years that’s definitely been filled with learning lessons and growth.