With Valentine’s Day, our anniversary and both my parents’ birthdays, February is usually a rosy month full of celebrations and romantic opportunities. This year, however, it has been a month of heartbreak and lots of tears. Grief is difficult enough to go through but when those closest to you are experiencing it too, it becomes almost unbearable. Everyday moments are punctuated with pangs of sadness, reminders are scattered around wherever the eye settles and as much as you want to focus on the happy memories, they will forever be bittersweet now. While last month was clouded with a thick blanket of gloom and uncertainty for the future, February has been sharp and piercing, like the nipping frost that arrived earlier this week.
My goal for this month was a simple yet pivotal one: be kinder to myself. With so much worry and sadness to go around, taking a little time out for myself felt like a huge delight. Working towards this goal hasn’t been entirely smooth, what with those pesky feelings of guilt seeping through every now and then, but I am still quite pleased with my progress. I almost feel like a new person, or a flower blooming in time for spring. Self-kindness should be promoted more. It doesn’t cure heartache or the suffering of those around us but it does help us to heal and be stronger for those who need us. We need more kindness in the world. My goal for next month will therefore be somewhat a continuation of this, in the sense of allowing myself to focus on something that makes me happy.
push creative boundaries
Writing and photography have long been two interests that have only grown stronger and stronger as I’ve embraced blogging in my daily life. Lately, however, I have felt a little stuck creativity-wise. I’ve already started a new poetry series here on Blushing Lately but photography is something that I still need to address. With so much beautiful inspiration online, I want to try new things, whether developing a new preset in a style I haven’t tried before or playing around with composition and props. The only issue with trying new things is the worry of straying too far from our personal style. Perhaps I should focus on transitioning my Instagram feed from winter to spring for a refreshed aesthetic…
What is something that you’d like to work on for next month?
Sending you so much love.
Your photos have been some of my absolute favourite this month. They’re so beautiful and cosy and I love them. I’m glad you’re feeling like you’re progressing with being kind to yourself, it’s so important, and something that is easily forgotten or pushed to one side.
I’m really enjoying the focus I’m putting into my blog at the moment, and I’d love to spend more time on my photography 🙂
Hels xx
http://www.thehelsproject.com
Thank you so much, lovely! You’re always so supportive and there with kind words <3 Aww I'm so happy that you like them - I think we can all be a little fussy with our own photography aha. Yessss I used to think that it was a little selfish and self-centred but it really doesn't need to be as long as it doesn't push anyone aside.
Your blog and photography are both absolutely lovely; I love how I can instantly tell it's your photo when it pops up on my home feed!
xxx
I hope things look up for you soon. I think focusing on positives like blogging can only be a great help. I always love your photography and it always inspires me! xxx
Thank you so much, Sophie! That has really cheered me up!
xxx