As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted to be reassured I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy in the present that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted to be reassured I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy in the present that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted to be reassured I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy in the present that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted to be reassured I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy in the present that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
A bit of a sequel to my recent post. As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted to be reassured I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy in the present that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
A bit of a sequel to my recent post. As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted her to reassure me I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy in the present that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
A bit of a sequel to my recent post. As D-Day nears (‘Departure’) my excitement is growing but imbedded with it is some anxiety. This is an old companion I’ve known for many years. It’s not uncommon for creative types to sometimes worry that they will suddenly lose their ability to create. This species of worry hits just before a shooting trip and I get that nervous little voice inside whispering “What if your photographic vision is gone? What if you see nothing? What if you can no longer find and make meaningful compositions?”
Speaking on this topic with a friend who runs a fine art printmaking shop and works with all kinds of creative folks, she said to me, “Ross, when that fear strikes, just remind yourself that you already have a body of work. Take joy in what you created up to this point and be grateful.” It wasn’t the advice I expected because I wanted her to reassure me I’d never lose the ability, but over time I’ve come to see that her words are powerful, because when I intentionally pursue thankfulness for all the blessings already granted, it soothes my mind and brings a deep-seated joy that is an antidote for anxiety about the future.
So here’s another set of past fall images that I’m using as an exercise to fuel my gratitude and peacefulness, to ground my emotions, as I prepare to go out in the field soon to see whatever I can see. I’m grateful for beauty. I’m grateful just for the inspiration of being out in the natural world. I’m grateful for the photographic process that allows all of us expression and joy.
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by, and y’all have my best wishes for your own fall photography adventures!
Sep 16, 2024 at 02:55 PM
Previous versions of Ross Martin's message #16642878 « Autumn, Anxiety, and Gratitude »
