In photography, each lens has a different way of showing you what’s in front of you. A macro lens will bring you up close and personal with a subject, whereas a wide-angle lens will have you seeing the entire scene- even parts outside of your peripheral.
There are zoom lenses that give you different perspectives based on how you rotate it, versus a fixed lens, that only lets you see one zoom length from many different “f-stops”, or the amount of light you’re letting in. When using a prime lens, you’re in full creative control because the entire image is dictated by you, where you’re standing, and how you imagine the image will come.
As a photographer, each lens serves a different purpose to your work. I would not have survived photographing weddings with my 24-70mm Nikon lens, nor would I have such gorgeous close-ups of the wild seals off the coast of Long Island without my 70 mm-200 mm lens, that I sold for lack of use. If you were to go through a slideshow of my favorite photographs though, they have all been taken on a prime lens. Most notable in my collection is my Sigma Art 50 mm 1.4 lens.
The 50 mm lens allows extraordinary light into your frame. The 50 mm allows me to stand back from a subject, only to get closer with more creativity. It’s crisp, reliable, and so heavy that your only choice is to be intentional with each moment you capture.
What I’ve learned from photography over the past decade is that your best work comes when it’s entirely your vision. In life, like photography, you have a choice about how you look at a situation. You can use different lenses to see scenarios from a different angle, to catch moments right outside your peripheral, and bring that into the fold, too.
There are blurry moments, sure, but it’s what you choose to focus on that becomes clear. It’s how you choose to line up the shot that makes it beautiful because it’s uniquely yours.
As I think of the year 2023 closing, I’ve grappled with writing about this year. On paper, if you were to list some of the experiences I went through, you’d think I was about to write about how this was a terrible year. If you know even a drop outside of this newsletter, you’re most likely anticipating a cliché like “I can’t wait to leave 2023 behind!”
Except, that’s not the lens I’m using to look at this year.
This year has been challenging, and I’m so grateful for each challenge that led me here.
I started 2023 outlining all the things I didn’t want anymore- inauthentic friendships, allowing people to drain me, not prioritizing myself or my dreams anymore- and, that’s exactly what I received.
I let go of friendships that took a toll on my time- and saw the true colors of people once they were backed into a corner, too.
I moved past familial connections that were one-sided, found my voice in situations I once stayed quiet on, and best of all, learned to control my reactions, allowing me to stay grounded- albeit, anxious at times.
I built consistent patterns that will allow growth to happen with more grace, specifically on this page. While a piece of me wants to erase all my archived posts because it’s cringe, I’ve learned to embrace your cringe moments. They show humanity, imperfection, and effort.
We survived our first year of living together- through finances, wedding planning, family trauma (not drama), and learning our quirks- and we did it with respect, even within the friction.
I deepened my connection with myself- something that only could have happened with alone time- a period that happened in all that loss.
I outlined and continue to write a Romance Novel- a dream I’ve had since I learned to read. On my vision board is a book deal and a New York Times Bestseller. I’ve seen people who started just like me do it, so why not me?
2023 allowed me to find focus, and that only comes when you find yourself. Since I started 2023 with a list of things I didn’t want anymore, I’m going to start the weeks before 2024 with a list of what I do want.
In 2024, I want to continue to look for:
calm- I’m leaving behind over-explaining and worrying.
focus- I’m leaving behind having too many burners on- it only leaves you to blow a fuse
intentionality- I’m leaving behind rushed work and the idea of “doing just to do”.
confidence- I’m leaving behind “waiting for….” and putting my life on hold because of a few extra pounds or fear of judgment
opportunity- I’m leaving behind fear because it only leaves a series of “what if’s”
2023 taught me to be resolute in who I am,
to trust that I am doing the right thing,
to be accountable when I don’t do it right,
and to live knowing I’m going to make everyone happy, but those aren’t the people I want to focus on, anyway.
2023 was a year of great change, and while I consider it my cocoon era, I’m looking forward to what will come now that I’ve blossomed.
2024 is going to be ushering in a new era, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
This will be my last post of 2023. As a reminder, Salt with Soul will have a different feel going into 2024, and it’s taken a lot of restraint not to just share the first article with you now. (Yes, it’s already drafted- that’s a big part of this next year- planning, editing, sitting with a thought instead of rushing to the next, yadda yadda yadda)
While I’m proud of the words I’ve written and the recipes I’ve shared over the last year, I’m even more proud of the change that’s on the horizon. This Substack is small but mighty, and my goals for next year will allow this space to have a community- which is why I write in the first place.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking courses on writing, “how to grow” on Substack and learning how to show up a little more authentically on Instagram. Dare I admit- I want an authentic, aesthetic page?
All of this to say, thank you for supporting me. I may write with the conviction that no one is reading this, but numbers don’t lie- you are reading. And, it’s because I know you’re reading that I want to improve. Thank you for pushing me to be better, to do better: I’m forever grateful.
I hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays. I’ll see you in the New Year, friends.