March Round Up – Detroit, Michigan

March 2020 was definitelyyyy a surprise that’s for sure. Despite everything that has happened, this March Monthly Roundup is a lot like any other. By that mean, it still focuses on the good, the blessings, and gratitude. Keep on reading for a glimpse of sunshine and a reminder that not everything is awful right now.

Matthew’s Birthday

 

Coming from a big family (I have 5 sisters!), birthdays were a huge deal in my house growing up. To be honest, they still are. When everything you had had to be shared (clothes, attention, friends, etc.), having a day all to yourself was a rare treat. Not to mention, my mom is a fan of a good party and always went all out for us. She would let us be a tiny boss for a day and let us choose what the whole family would eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There was always a party with hats and confetti even if it only was family!

Now, imagine my struggle marrying a man who “doesn’t care” about his birthday. Send help. Please.

Just kidding! I love Matt so much even if he is a big ole grinch when it comes to birthdays! Luckily, his birthday rolled around juuuust before things started to change and we were able to celebrate at our favorite brunch spot. He even let me get a little cray cray with it and celebrate him with a birthday banner and some candles. I am so happy that we were able to celebrate “like normal”! And even happier that I can now tease Matt about being an old man…until my birthday rolls around in June and we become the same age again.

 

Society 6

 

I have been a huge fan of Society 6 for like, ever. One of the good things of having a bit of extra down time is that I have been crossing off a few things that were on my back up to-do list! (You know, that to-do list you keep just in case you’re ever able to finish all your other more pressing to-do lists? #JustEnneagram3Things). This past month I was able to officially start uploading items to my shop!

Being a portrait photographer means that I don’t always get to take nature, landscape, or still-life photographs. My Society 6 shop is a place where all of those artsy-fartsy photos can live and be seen. Now I can order my own photo on a pillow! Then, when someone comes over and is like “OMG I love your pillow!” I can be all: “Thanks. I made it.” which ya know, is just like a personal dream of mine.

If you’re into products that feature Detroit, plants, or travel photos then you should definitely check it out!

Chef Liv

 

From now on, I will only be responding to the title, “Chef Liv”. Mostly kidding… But if there’s one thing this strange month of March has taught me it’s how to get my hands dirty in the kitchen (just like all my dishes now too)!

Becoming a better cook was coincidentally already on my 2020 bucket list. However I had no idea how hard the reality of that goal would smack me in the face. I have been doing WAY more cooking than ever before and I’m actually kind of loving that. I (and my spouse) am happy to say that I can now make some mean fried chicken, grill a steak perfectly, and make some delicious roasted vegetables. Gordon Ramsay get out of my way! I’m coming for your spot on the top!

COVID -19

 

I ain’t special for having been thrown for a crazy loop by COVID-19. This virus has impacted so many people in so many ways. As a work-from-home-er already, it took me a bit of time to find my new routine. Even though there were a lot of things about my day-to-day that didn’t change, the emotional impact of the social changes were paralyzing at first. Working from home is very different from “working from home during a global pandemic where you’re scared of the health and safety of everyone you know and are trapped at home”.

If I felt the impact that strongly when I’m not even an essential worker, I can’t imagine the stress and fear that so many people were forced to undergo. I feel so deeply for my brides (many of whom are nurses, teachers, etc.) and I cannot imagine the joy that gets stolen from wedding planning during a time like this.

I also feel so deeply for my all of my personal branding clients and entrepreneur friends. Never have I been more proud to be a small business owner than when I saw our community come together to boost each other up during a time like this.

Despite all the fear and anxiety that we as a collective are feeling, I know one thing to be true: this is all going to pass eventually and everything will be okay again. In the meantime all we can do is take of ourselves, take care of others, and try and focus on the good.

Spring Engagement Sessions

 

I had no idea that these two sessions would be the last ones for a hot a minute! For that, I am sooo grateful that we were able to get these two in before the world went topsy turvy. It was freezing cold for one, and raining for the other, but we were able to still create magical moments and photos.

Staying at home has given me a lot of extra time for editing and I am reliving these moments as hard as I can! Sharing them now makes me so excited to get out and get shooting again. I’m grateful now more than ever for having the best job in the world. To my brides: we’ll get back out there soon, don’t worry!

 

 

Resting Not Quitting

 

There’s a quote that I printed and hung on my wall for this period of life that says, “Be stubborn about your goals, but flexible about your methods.” I find it so motivating because it reminds me that there is such a difference between resting and quitting. Now more than ever, most of us are needing a bit more rest than usual. That doesn’t mean you’re a quitter nor does it mean you’re lazy. Resting for a period doesn’t mean you don’t prioritize your business, it just means you need a breather. The weight of the world feels heavy right now. Please, be looking for ways during this time that you can invest back in your business. But more importantly, be looking for ways to invest back into yourself.

Soon, we’ll all be able to go back to work and things will be busier than ever. This time can be a gift, as strange as that seems. Only you know how to use this crazy gift best. Spend time with your kids or with your business processes. Clean out those closets or maybe clean up those books. Focus on your health but also on your clients. Most of all: remember to be kind to yourself.

 

 

The beauty of these roundups is that hindsight is 20/20. Ironically, this is the year 2020. Maybe there’s a hidden meaning in there. I don’t know. What I do know is that now is an opportunity to live in the moment so hard. Because really, what else can you do? Soak it all up. Take lots of pictures. Remember this time. I know right now we’re all just trying to get through it, but someday we might wish it hadn’t gone so fast.

I’ll see you back here soon for April’s roundup! I can’t wait to see how much things have changed by then. In the meantime, I’ll be reminiscing on this time last year, soaking up life, and excitedly anticipating the future.

 

Liv