I have just loved writing this blog series and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it! So far, I’ve shared about how I found my passion, why I started my business, some of the struggles I’ve faced and the why behind my business.  This week, I want to share about something that’s been on my heart lately. When I sat down to write this post so many thoughts came rushing into my mind. “Is anyone even reading this? I don’t have enough experience to give people advice! How can I share about something that I’m still learning about?” Well, you know what? People are following this crazy journey of mine, I have had relevant experiences that I can share with my readers, and I will constantly be learning, so why wait to share my insights later when I already have some now?

Something that so many creative entrepreneurs struggle with is comparison. We see all of the pretty styled photos on Instagram and we follow along on all of our favorite blogs. We wonder why we aren’t blogging 5 days a week or why our pictures don’t have that “glow” that someone else’s do. Comparison seems to be normal in this industry, but I don’t believe that it’s healthy. As Teddy Roosevelt once said, “comparison is the thief of joy,” and I believe that wholeheartedly. It’s something that we all struggle with, myself included, but not something that we need to define ourselves by.

We are all called to something greater, something higher and something with purpose. Worrying about what others are doing will only hinder what the Lord can do through you. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” We should not compare the beginning of our journey to the middle of someone else’s. In fact, we should set our eyes on Him, not those around us because his will is good, pleasing and perfect. Anything less than that will not satisfy, and will leave us feeling defeated and unworthy of anyone’s business. And that, my friends, is a feeling that no one should ever experience.

Instead of scrolling through Instagram wondering how everyone else’s lives look so perfect, I challenge you to engage with and encourage them. Instead of wishing that you could have a blog that everyone diligently reads, start making a list and a calendar of posts that you want to write. Even if you don’t think anyone is reading, they are, trust me :). It’s the best feeling when someone mentions something they read on your blog and you had no idea they even knew that you were a photographer (or any other creative, for that matter!). Instead of comparing your images to someone else’s, figure out what you want your style to look like, and research, practice and perfect it. No one can be a better you than you, so don’t spend your time trying to be someone or something that you aren’t. God created each one of us perfectly unique, perfectly similar and perfectly imperfect. We all have flaws. The issue of comparison is that we compare our flawed life to someone else’s perfectly curated life on Instagram, and it isn’t an accurate representation of either parties. I challenge everyone reading this, whether you are a creative entrepreneur or just someone who wants to be encouraged today, to let go the opinions of others and focus on how you can improve in your personal life, relationships, career, business, etc. I promise that focusing on you and your growth will lead to so much more than focusing on others around you.

Much love and joy,
Kelsie