07/09/2023
It is with the saddest of hearts that I write this (very vulnerable) post...
This year has been a lot.
I started the year off filled with excitement & I was eager to enter my busy season of work. I had some weddings booked that I was really looking forward to; I was stepping out of my comfort zone to learn new skills & grow my business; I had portrait sessions booked (which I love!) and of course I had many families booked (my absolute favorite!!)
After many years of trying to find a work/life balance, I felt confident I had finally found what worked for our family, so I was looking forward to busy season arriving.
This was going to be MY year.
Then one early morning at the end of May, that all abruptly changed when I had a family emergency that had me in and out of hospitals & doctor appointments for 3 weeks. (Although super scary at the time, everyone is okay! 🤍)
The timeline I had spent countless hours meticulously planning so that I could keep my work organized and work/life balanced, blew up.
It sent my entire life into a spiral and I have yet to come back from it.
And trust me, I have tried. In every way I could. The stress and feelings of overwhelm are consuming me. I thought I could still continue on booking sessions… I just needed to get caught up first. But the getting caught up hasn’t come yet.
There comes a point when you need to ask yourself, "When is enough, enough?”
I have reached the point of enough.
I type this with tears streaming down my face because I am both saddened & disappointed with how "MY" year turned out. Its not at all what I had in mind for my business. But that's okay, its part of life.
*I will NOT be booking any sessions for the remainder of the year.* (Insert a quick ugly cry here)
You guys, Fall brings me so much joy! Family sessions are my happy place. They are my favourite part of my job. So, not only am I losing this, I also feel like I'm letting you all down.
But I know in my heart of hearts, I would be letting you, myself and my family down even more, if I decided to book more sessions.
The time has come to be honest with myself and say enough is enough.
I need to take the next month or so to finish the galleries that I already have waiting for me, for some pretty incredible clients who have been super patient and understanding with me.
And then I need a break.
Not to worry, I will be back booking sessions next year. But for the remainder of this year, I need to make my mental health and my family my priority.
Thank-you to all of my clients for being so patient over these past few months. My wait time for galleries has been less than ideal or even remotely acceptable (if lm being honest) and you have all been incredible.
I appreciate you more than you know.
🤍Chynna
📸: Schae Photography