When I quit my job at the restaurant to focus on my art full-time, I made a few goals pertaining to my new business. I decided that having these goals would help me stay on track and would lead to success. 

1. Take photos every week
2. Produce one piece of art every week
3. Spend 1-2 hours every morning on marketing and advertising​

The first few weeks went great, but last week I began to lose control and this week has been an absolute shit show. I have never been a "goals" person. I'm not a "schedule" person. I roll with the punches. I adapt throughout the day and everything revolves around my insatiable appetite for happiness. 

Not success 
Not money. 
Happiness. 

Having these goals puts immense pressure on myself to be successful and make money. When those two things don't happen (the majority of new businesses are rarely over-night success stories) I flail around in self-pity. I wallow in sadness. My depression creeps in the shadows behind me (friendly reminder: clinical depression never goes away).

So, to truly be happy, I have to stick with who I am as a person and try and be successful MY WAY. I have to adapt. I have to roll with the punches. Often times artists are told they have to create as often as possible. Go Go Go. Don't stop, this is what you are! Successful artists don't sit around and play Warzone! They don't sleep in! Well, this artist does. Not every day. Not all the time. But to unwind and clear my head? Yes, I will boot up Warzone and have a beer. I will snuggle with my cat and drain my noggin of responsibilities. 

Some say that tortured artists create the best work. Some say that sad comedians are better than happy comedians. Perhaps. But I think sharing my happiness with the world, via the memories I create with my camera, is every bit as important and valid and has a place. 

Some weeks will be worse than others, but the journey was never going to be a walk in the park; it was always going to be an uphill battle. 

Thanks for reading,