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I am not perfect. Guess what? Neither are you my friend. Woaaaah, Heather, woah! Why are you even saying that? Well, because it is the truth y’all! NONE of us are perfect. Even the ones we may admire the most are not perfect although it may seem like it from far away.
When it comes to life…sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way you planned and the definition of perfect becomes a word that is irrelevant because you’re honestly just trying to make it by. That’s O-K! Even when it doesn’t feel ok, I promise it will be ok (personally coffee makes anything ok for me).
For me, after YEARS of finding my heart longing to run my business completely full time, I FINALLY made the leap earlier this year at the end of July. Running a business full time is scary. I felt like I was in constant stress and anxiety not being able to do the things I so badly wanted to do for my business. I prayed, I prayed, and I prayed that the Lord would open the doors that needed to be open and close the ones that needed to be closed. It’s been a little over three months that I have been running this little thing I get to call my business FULL TIME.
(Florals by: Amanda Day Rose)
Where I went wrong
In that three months and even up until now, I have literally been in an even more constant state of trying to figure out how to balance everything and doing that during B-U-S-Y season while always being on the road. My close friends and family have heard me say this a million times, but I LITERALLY do not know how I even had time to run my business when I was working a part time job. There are so many moving and intricate parts it still blows my mind.
I didn’t take certain things into consideration because I was just SO excited to finally be running my business full time. You guys…I really thought I knew exactly what I would need to do to make everything run smooth like a well-oiled machine, but oh boy was I *WRONG* (read that in a Donald Trump voice LOL).
So, why am I writing this?
Well, it’s more or less a confession of not being perfect. I like to think I have a pretty great head on my shoulders and I am relatively organized, but I have fear. A fear of letting down others around me including my clients, friends, and family. THANKFULLY I have clients, friends, and family that understand that running a business full time is all new to me and that I am a human being (sorry Hope for having to cancel lunch on you today – love you girl).
As I am sitting here writing this, I know I have a lot to catch up on, including some AMAZING weddings that you will be on the blog over the next couple of weeks!!! EEE!!! But I want the other people who feel similar to myself or feel worse or even paralyzed in fear to know that if you’re just HONEST with yourself…you’ll feel so much better immediately. You are NOT alone and you will never be alone in this season of life.
For myself, I know I have a lot of things to work out on the back end of my business and have made some SUPER big decisions to get there! So, you guys be looking out for those things next year!
Have a GREAT day everyone :)!
P.S. If you feel similar or have ever felt similar… I encourage you to leave a comment of your own on this post to show those reading that they really, really are not alone.
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Heather Chipps Photography is a wedding photographer and mentor serving Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
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Aww heather! I’m totally there with you. I thought I had this whole girlboss thing down but it can be so overwhelming/paralyzingly at the same time!
Love you and so happy our paths have crossed!! ????
Thomas Edison once said “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Well that is how I feel every single day! While in your own small world you may have your moments of doubt I can truly say from afar…your rocking it girl! Keep doing what you do.
From this vantage point, you are doing a fabulous job! I often wish I could turn my hobby blog into something more – a part time or full time business, but I’ve never taken that leap of faith, and I haven’t consistently worked toward that goal. You, on the other hand, have consistently worked hard, have a lovely website, and beautiful workmanship to show for your efforts. I commend you, and would love to think that one day I may draw on you for inspiration when the time comes.
Heather…….your “favorite Uncle in Law” checking in.
I have run my own business for over 30 years, and it has been fairly successful. Here is my take……….
Just get used to being your own worst critic…..it shows you have what it takes to get to where you want to go.
The only question is…….”Where do you want to go??” There is not a wrong answer, only a “Heather” answer. Best guess is that every one who loves you will trust the “Heather” answer.
Love you………..P
From a mom of a 17 year old Varsity cheerleader, 13 year old avid hunter, 2 year old literally attached to mama 24/7, wife, photographer trying to juggle it all and wanting to cry when people are excited to see their images but you’ve literally had not a second to sit for a sneak peek….I TOTALLY get it!
Growing pains are called that for a reason. But we all must grow if we want to succeed. I was there many years ago starting my full-time business, and I’m there again now that I’m reinventing it. Being scared means that you want to succeed with all of your heart and that’s what it takes to make it happen. I have no doubt you’ll be fine. No one ever figured EVERYTHING out, so keep that in mind and try not to sweat the small stuff too much. You’ll ROCK this!
I’m so proud of you and I’m glad I could be part of your education and part of your life! I’m happy to call you my friend!