Cubicle Canyon |
Today being "Throwback Thursday" it reminded me that 5 years
ago this week I escaped from the mind numbing, backstabbing, good old boy
network of corporate life. Left the drab, monotonous, grey, flat and
fluorescent lit walls of the soulless box that housed all the workers.
Windowless rooms, endless inane meetings that endured while my heart and
soul yearned to be outside, feeling the wind, getting dirty and learning and
exploring something I actually cared about.
Don't get me wrong..it wasn't all bad all the time.
That nice little paycheck helped me raise 2 fine boys as a single Mom and for
that I am thankful. Once the boys were off on their own and it was just me I
really began to analyze what I was doing and why I was doing it
After spending those wonderful, emotional, fulfilling days of exploration, hard work, camaraderie, and sheer peace and joy I decided to cut the cord....jump into the deep end...and quit the torture of corporate life and pursue my photography obsession with fervor!
Glen Canyon |
To be honest, the plan for this decision had been
building slowly but purposefully for the last year or more.
I had a big new MAC computer built that would last me for many years to come. I worked tirelessly on my photographic portfolio. Honed my skills, explored my vision, learned as much technical information as I could. I absorbed, books and webinars, classes and workshops. I travelled alone, I travelled with other photographers that I admired. During the day in those grey souless canyons of cubicles I dreamt of the day that I could truly live my life. It became harder and harder to put on the corporate mask. I would hang prints of my images on those drab walls in an effort to take me back to the places that I loved so much. It only served to remind me that I was further away.
Although I have been a photographer for most of my life, the decesion to try and do it for a living did not present itself till now. I sometimes wish I had made this jump 20 year earlier...but as all things in life, there is a season, as now this was mine.
Canyon X |
I had a big new MAC computer built that would last me for many years to come. I worked tirelessly on my photographic portfolio. Honed my skills, explored my vision, learned as much technical information as I could. I absorbed, books and webinars, classes and workshops. I travelled alone, I travelled with other photographers that I admired. During the day in those grey souless canyons of cubicles I dreamt of the day that I could truly live my life. It became harder and harder to put on the corporate mask. I would hang prints of my images on those drab walls in an effort to take me back to the places that I loved so much. It only served to remind me that I was further away.
Antelope Canyon |
Although I have been a photographer for most of my life, the decesion to try and do it for a living did not present itself till now. I sometimes wish I had made this jump 20 year earlier...but as all things in life, there is a season, as now this was mine.
I had a lot of support along the way. Editors and Photographers who had made this journey themselves. My boys, who never questioned my decision. It was "go for it Mom!" which was
such a boost to me then and continues to this day. My friends and former
colleagues in corporate world watched my escape and growth with joy and envy. I
sometimes felt as if I was doing this for them too!
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