2.04.2014

living in the moment

As bloggers, we love documenting everything we do. I know that when I start a new project or try a new recipe, I see an opportunity for a post. I take pictures of every step and I document the process. When I go somewhere cool, I make sure to take a picture or two for the blog. Hell, I even bought a fancy camera so I could get better pictures for this here blog baby. Sometimes I even think of certain activities I want to do just because they would make a good story for a post. But lately, I've been wondering if I go too far.

I actually began thinking about this when I read a post from Jenn over at Hello Brio called 10 Reasons Not to Date a Lifestyle Blogger. Jenn is such an inspiration to me and I absolutely love her blog and designs. You should definitely read this post, because its so funny and totally true. But anyway, some of the things on the list are things like "projects or days out become blog-centric" and "she doesn't know how to relax." Which I think we can all admit is true. Whenever Handsome and I go out and do something, I need to take pictures and remember the details so I can share it with you all. Which is fine. But I think that at a certain point, it might be too much.
Live Your Life to the Fullest

When I went to my first Luke Bryan concert like two years ago, I was obsessed in love with him. Like I  was legitimately obsessed in the creepiest way possible. I almost cried when I read that he almost died choking on a piece of flatbread...sooo...anyway. At the concert, I was so concerned with taking photos and videos. I wanted to get a video of every song, and I wanted as many pictures as possible so I could have those memories forever. The problem was, I was so focused on taking pictures that I didn't actually experience it. I was too concerned with having memories to look back at later that I didn't really get to save the memory in my mind. It was all in pictures. When I went to his second concert, I only took a couple of pictures (see: Luke Bryan seflie) and I really just enjoyed myself. I can honestly say the second one was a million times better for that reason.

My point is, sometimes I think we (well, I) need to take a moment and remember to enjoy the things that we blog about. Instead of worrying so much about getting a good picture, put your phone down and just live. Experience life without worrying about documenting it. I believe that at a certain point, we trade making the memories in our mind and in our hearts (wow that sounded cheesy) for taking pictures and making memories to share on our blog. Like when Handsome and I made these homemade donuts. At first, I was trying to take a picture of every step. Every time he did something I made him stop so I could take a picture. Then I realized I was being ridiculous. I get to spend four months out of the year with this guy. When is the next time we'll make donuts together?! Who knows. So why was I so concerned about documenting this for my blog when I should be in the moment enjoying time with my two true loves: Dj and donuts! Right?
Love like you've never loved before

I'm not saying that we shouldn't take pictures of our recipes and crafts and adventures at all. Obviously its something that we love to do because we love sharing our lives with each other in the blogosphere. I'm just saying that there needs to be a good balance. Maybe this doesn't apply to everyone. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. I just know that from now on, especially when I'm with Handsome, I'm going to make a point to not get so caught up in the blogging aspect of the things we do. I'm going to enjoy our hikes, cooking adventures, and date nights to the fullest. Sure, I know I'll still get excited to share with you guys all of the fun things I do, but I'm going to do them for me. So anyway, next time you're going crazy and freaking out over a post, or you're too concerned with taking a good picture for your blog, just stop, relax, and live in the moment.
 photo newsignature_zps2565f74d.png

26 comments:

  1. So true, and SO important to remember! I always kick myself in the butt when I don't get good pictures of something (not just for the blog, but for me to have) but I always need to remember that at least I enjoyed it in the moment! Great post, Brianna!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I totally agree! I have been trying to take less photos and write less so I don't miss out on experiences. PS I love your blog redesign!

    ReplyDelete
  3. oddly enough Luke Bryan is from a town only 50 miles from me which is where my aunt and cousins live. odd huh?

    Come join the hop and tell us how you and your significant other met. How you met your boyfriend, husband, fiance etc. http://pinkowl07.blogspot.com/2014/02/love-story-link-ups-2014.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Completely agree. I try to avoid this at all costs. I don't want to be that girl and my husband does not have the patience for it. If I make a recipe I give myself 5 mins to take pictures and then I move on. Life will go on without the perfect picture. Missing one blog post won't be the end of the world.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are so right! I was at the Celtics game this weekend and totally got caught up the first half taking photos so made myself stop the second half!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's so important to try to stay in the moment. I'm guilty of doing the same thing at concerts & events. For the blog, I do try to get the pictures taken quickly and then focus on the time I'm spending with people & enjoying myself. But it's so easy to focus on what we want to capture physically that we forget to capture it mentally.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree!!! I take too many photos, but it's not for my blog. I have this irrational fear that I'll forget the memories and I'll need the photos. But one day, we were hiking with the pups and Nick took my phone and put it in his pocket. Naturally I freaked out and he said "You're so focused on capturing every detail that you're not enjoying the sun's warmth, the nature all around you, or this time with your family." And he was right. Since then, I've backed off. I still take a lot of photos, but often times I miss capturing something because I'm just enjoying the moment. I'm glad he called me out on it because it's been one of the best changes I've made.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So true! I get caught up with getting a "good" picture that I just keep snapping away with hopes that one will come out good. I have to remind myself, listen, you've taken a thousand pictures, you have a good selection to choose from, it's time to put the camera down! Haha! After that I'm good to go!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I totally agree. When I vlogged my days from Dec 1-25 I started to hate it. I don't know how people can do that everyday for year... well yeah they get paid a crap ton. I couldn't do it. I like living in the moment and enjoying it. It was hard for me to be the opposite. I even stopped weekend recaps. lol.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you so much for your beautiful words and insight. I have been feeling really bogged down lately trying to balance a social life, a real life, and my blog life. Sometimes I feel rude or antisocial because I would rather update my blog, or read other's. However, finding balance is what life and happiness is truly about. This blog post definitely made me take a second and reflect on how I don't live in the moment sometimes when I really should. <3

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this post! You couldn't of said it any better!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Totally agree. It is all about enjoying the momemt. A picture of two is great but you don't want to miss the moments too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is such a great post!
    As someone who is going to school for photography, I know how difficult this is. Everywhere i go with family, they ask me to take pictures for them. When I go places on my own, I usually go there to take pictures. It's like pictures make up my life and sometimes, I just want to live without the pictures. That's why I don't always take my camera with me anymore. It's difficult, but I've grown to accept that it's okay to miss that "perfect shot".

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wonderfully said! I've realized recently that my biggest issue is the fact that I'll do something with Marc going into it that "Oh I don't want to share this on the blog" and by the end of it I want to and I only have the finished result photos. Or I'll forget to take photos because I feel lame pulling out my iPhone every 5 minutes. I get criticized enough for always being on it. But it's funny how our minds can become so blog-centric like you say. No matter what we always seem to be thinking about it at the back of our minds!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This for sure applies to me and is such a good reminder. As I'm trying to get more posts and more followers, I've been absolutely obsessed with every moment and not in the good way. Literally your post was for me. Kthanks.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is an awesome post! So much of it is so on point! I know that there are times I think to myself this would be awesome to blog about. I love sharing my experiences but I do not always have pictures to go with them because I would much rather BE in the moment than be behind the camera taking pictures and missing it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think it's good to have a nice balance. I'm HUGE into pictures, even before I was a blogger. I've even more into pictures since being a blogger and photographer. I like to document everything for me. There's tons of pictures I don't share on my blog. When I go out or do things, I try to limit the number of pictures because I want to live whatever I'm experiencing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is so true. Reading this and pointing it out, I am going to try to have a balance between my life and my blog. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I couldn't agree more! Sometimes I get down on myself because I don't take as many pics as other bloggers. But, hey... that doesn't make the experience mean any less!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just found your blog from Shane's giveaway, and I'm so glad I did! I love this so so much. I've been working on this a lot lately. I always have my phone/camera ready so I don't miss anything, but in doing that, I do miss things! Thanks for sharing!!!

    www.writteninthemidst.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. So very true - I try to do both - get that balance going. There are times when you just need to "be" though with no pre set mind and just enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  22. blogging daily can get bored unless you automatically schedule post. i try to do a weeks worth so i can catch up on blogs and read and all.

    http://hotpinkowl02.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Absolutely! I'm 100% guilty of not living life fully because I'm trying to capture whatever's going on in a pictures. I'm really trying to disconnect as much as possible this year, to br present more. We can do it :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Totally agree. We can't get so caught up in getting "blogging material" that we don't enjoy the moments that are happening. I think we are all guilty of this one. I am not the best photographer so I try extra hard and worry over my pictures instead of appreciating the beauty. And I am so on the same page with the Luke Bryan obsession. I am not one to gawk over famous people, but Luke Bryan, I just can't help it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey Brianna, thanks so much for your kind words and for and linking to my post. I'm so glad the post resonated with you. As much as it's supposed to be satire, I'm glad it struck a chord with you and your readers. I agree that balance is key, and that choosing to live mindfully is a hugely important choice for everyone. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete