The evening air is cooler. The sun is setting earlier. And there's a crispness in the breeze that has been giving me all the fall vibes. And I am so ready for it all. I baked a pumpkin coffee cake last week and now I'm itching to pull out my favorite boots and sweaters.
Maybe it's the fact that I'm planning for a new school year, but I tend to go into major "teacher mode" come August. My mom says that I go into bucket list mode and suddenly have to get everything done and create a long to-do list of things to finish up before I go back to school. The list is definitely shorter this year with Covid, but there have been some sweet blessings that have come alongside this pandemic.
I was talking with a few friends, but in August, I just got an itch to connect with some of my friends. I felt guilty, not gonna lie, because I didn't think it was a smart thing to do. But my mental health needed to talk with people outside of my household and so I slowly began meeting up with one friend at a time. I continue to decline invitations for group gatherings and only get together with people who are healthy, who live in my community, we stay outside in the fresh air, and I also continue to wear a mask and stay six feet apart when we meet up, too.
And the thing that's been the best reason to meet up with friends? Photography. When 2020 started, I had high hopes of getting to take photos and finally make photography more than just a hobby. Then the pandemic came, and I didn't honestly think I'd be able to take photos again for a long time.
But as I saw more and more local photographers doing physically distanced shoots outdoors (especially cute porch portrait sessions!), I realized that it was not only possible, but it was something that I could do to document this unique year as well.
So I reached out to friends to help me build my portfolio, and August quickly filled up with shoots. Evening sunsets with the grasses waving in the wind. Dusty dirt paths. Pink skies. And so many smiles and laughs. The icing on top of the cake? Getting some fun and deep conversations sprinkled within each session as well.
All that to say, I never imagined that 2020 would unfold like it has. But I'm continually challenged to open my hands and just let it unfold and let God surprise me with what He's had planned all along. There have been some really rough moments and I've lost hope more times than I can count, but I'm also trying to soak up the goodness to help fuel me through the next tough moment, too.
Aside from that, August consisted of baking with my girlies (the kids I watched this summer), blackberry picking, getting one week of official vacation, more morning walks with podcasts, Zoom meetings to plan out the year with co-workers, evening walks with the family and pup, and lots of Youtube workouts.
I'm excited and nervous about returning back to school, but keeping my hands open to whatever happens!
September, I think I'm ready for ya.
No comments
Post a Comment