Could I be any more smiley?!

So, a year ago: I was a hobbyist. Today, I find myself actually considering a business model and bursting with ideas! But you know what?

It could have happened a lot sooner than it has!

I have my partner to thank for this truth. We've been sitting in the sunshine this evening and discussing our future when he pipes up 'I knew you didn't believe in yourself, I'm just sad it took this long for you to work out you are good enough...'

If it wasn't for the fact that I had my confidence quite seriously knocked back a few years ago, who knows? I might not even be spinning this tale!

A couple of years ago, I got ill. Not just a bit poorly, but lasting long term poorly which thankfully, was dealt with and I've since proved, I can bounce further than a cheap rubber ball! However, during this time of profound inability -both mentally and physically- I sought to take comfort in my old friends 'Paper, Paint, and Photo,' as I was struggling to work, cook, walk and all the other delightful things that we take for granted. Admittedly, 'Photo' was a reluctant comrade considering my inability to stray too far from basic home comforts but the three of them remained as steadfast as ever, despite my not paying them much attention over the previous years due to workload.

After surgery and an adequate time of respite and recovery, I started shifting my life view: it occured to me more than ever, that I had been neglecting my welfare in favour of getting ahead at work that and something needed to change. I had left my previous job under a cloud that I still find difficult to reconcile with and as a result, my confidence in my teaching ability was at an all time low. 'Paper, Paint and Photo' encouraged me to spend more time with them and before you know it, I started finding a new direction that now sees me honestly, taking myself more seriously.

And now? Here I am, taking on photographic commissions and loving EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of it! I have so many ideas that I could explode!! Bands, christnenings, parties.... I love meeting people and trying to capture the moments that make people smile when they see them. I want to do more. I want to do it for other people and make them smile. Sod it! Let's all bloody smile!!

Anyway, is this a decent blog post? No idea... but I'm going to see what happens and who knows... maybe you smiled?