Hi friend! I'm Stacey, a wedding photographer based in Central PA. I'm also a wife, believer, encourager, and lifelong learner! I'm so happy you stopped by, enjoy browsing the blog!
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January 20, 2016
Over the past few weeks I’ve been working on my Powersheets, which is an awesome goal setting workbook created by Lara Casey (you need to follow her!). Before writing down any goals, the workbook directs you to think on what worked well and didn’t work well in the previous year, lessons learned, and what you are going to say “no” to and what you will say “yes” to in the coming year.
As I’ve been working through this process, there has been a consistent theme. Social media was my biggest time suck, cultivated comparison in my life, and kept me from living out my unique purpose.
I spent WAY too much time last year scrolling through Facebook and wasting countless hours. It was so easy to hop on Facebook when I was bored, procrastinating, or needed a mental break from work. Beyond the wasted time, I was never in a good mood after scrolling through Facebook because I would compare myself to whatever I saw! “This photographer already has X amounts of weddings booked,” “This photographer is traveling all over,” “Their business is more successful than mine,” etc.
Because I was meaninglessly scrolling without intention my mind quickly went to the negatives and sent me into comparison mode! I would believe the LIE that I had to be like other photographers to be successful. Comparison kept me from living my life focused on my individual purpose.
I believe that God created each human being with a unique purpose and He desires for us to live out that purpose!
My word for 2016 is PURPOSE! This word is constantly going to remind me that I have a unique, God-given purpose and that is not to be like anybody else! I only need to please God and not others.
To avoid getting caught in the web of comparison and to better focus on my purpose, I decided that one of my 2016 goals is to use social media strategically. I’ve adjusted my Facebook notification settings to send me an email when I receive a message, someone leaves me a comment, and when someone comments in a group. Since January 1st I’ve gone on Facebook to respond to notifications that I received by email or to use Facebook intentionally for the purpose of encouraging others. It has already made the hugest difference in my mental health not to mention given me more free time to spend on things that matter!
I hope this post is an encouragement to you and a reminder that your goal shouldn’t be to be like anybody else. You have a unique purpose and it’s time to live it out!
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January 25th, 2016 at 5:15 am
What a great post!! I am so proud of you for recognizing the harm social media was doing to your health and defending yourself against it. You are self-aware and live such an active life, you don’t stand by passively. That is one of the many things I love about you! Thanks for the wonderful words, Stace! <3