A New Year: January Goals 2014

Walking back into my office after two weeks off is the weirdest feeling. It's somewhere between awesome and refreshing & scary and overwhelming. It's time to get to work, finish up a few things from 2013,  re-evaluate, re-organize, re-fresh, andddd make smarter choices. I have to say it's contagious reading everyone's goals, seeing Facebook status's that say, "THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST YEAR YET!" or "THIS IS MY YEAR!" And you know what!? I truly wish that it really IS the best year for everyone in my life. I admire the positivity that surrounds this time of year and all the "fresh starts" people claim they are making. Some people may roll their eyes and go "Yeahhhh this won't last" and maybe they are right. Statistics may play in their favor, but I was born to be a believer, a lover, and an optimist. SUE ME! :) A really big part of me hopes and wishes that people will stick to their resolutions and make those changes they want to make. I truly do. Some won't but they hopefully will find out something else about their-selves this year that leaves an impression that makes their lives richer. One can only hope. Last night as I was in bed reading a few of my favorite blogs, reminiscing over the year 2013 was for me, and seeing people post about their year made me wonder. What if this positivity we all radiate on January 1st was a year long thing? Or heck, even a lifelong thing? Can you imagine how much happier life could be…for everyone? You know it and I know it…but eventually it is inevitable that 2014 will hand you a bad day or ten and you will question how awesome your life is, sink in your chair with a deep stupor of negativity that naturally engulfs that brain of yours and then this year as we know it will be THE WORST. However, we all know that it's life. It's a beautiful, crazy, unpredictable, incredible adventure that we are blessed with. It's up to us to really make the best of it while we are here. It's up to us to not let negativity win. Atleast that's one of my goals for 2014. I'm ridding off the negativity. It's ugly and it drains way too much happiness out of lives. I refuse to conform. I've learned that attitude is everything. If you think negative, negative things will happen. If you think positive, you're gaining a better perspective regardless of the situation, dark times will come to light and the best part? A happier heart. SIGN ME UP!

Man is my heart in a different place than it was last year. I think this is the case for everyone is it not? There have been so many experiences I've encountered to get to this place, this day, this beginning to a new year. All the good times and all the bad that taught me so many vital lessons and have left me feeling nothing but grateful for them no matter what I felt at the time. I am not going to lie, I feel positive and happy. There is a lot of unknown ahead, but I'm taking that positivity and I'm going to pray that God will feed off of it and reward me with those desires in my heart. He knows what's best for me and this life of mine. Knowing that he's driving makes me smile and feel at peace.

Drew and I sat down for our annual NY pancake breakfast yesterday in our kitchen to write out our individual goals, as well as our goals together as a couple. It's a tradition of ours that we decided to keep after doing this last year and it's really fun way for us to be on the same page. When we sat down to write them out we both kind of just sat there with the paint brush (we wrote them in watercolor this year) and dangled it over the paper. Our thoughts and goals were jumbled but we both were having a hard time prioritizing them in our minds so the paper set there blank. I finally laughed and said, "Well, 2014 is looking like it's going to be full of NOTHING!" I then asked Drew, "So what are the things we DID do this year that we loved and want to make sure we do again this year?" He thought for a minute and said, "Hmm, well, I guess you can say we both found jobs we really love. We found our career paths. " He then joked, "Oh and office hours. Office hours saved our marriage!" And he was right. They not only saved our marriage but they saved my sanity. Then I asked, "So what are the things we did that we DON'T want to repeat this year…" And we both laughed pretty stinking hard at the list of things we blurted out. Man was that list long. We both agreed that 2013 was good but "EXHAUSTING!" Amen to that. Our biggest complaint on both of our ends was that we kept so busy with work, plans, expectations, housework, you name it, that we didn't allow much time for fun. Downtime didn't exist. Adventure didn't exist. Busy ruled our lives. We neglected our mental health and never allowed time for REST. What's life if you can't have fun?

Then it happened. Drew reached over and dabbed my face with paint. Again. And Again. So naturally, I had to break his face ATTACK BACK and then the next thing I know, my rolls of steel on my stomach were hurting from all the laughter and our faces looked like this:

That's what I want this year. More spontaneity. More fun. Less worrying about what's next and just living more in the present.

Two years ago or so I went rummaging through my Great Aunt's home (she passed many years ago) looking for some antiques and decor to add to my home. I found a shelf of old books and this little blue turquoise book caught my eye. I grabbed it with the thought, "This would be a cute pop of color on a shelf" but little did I know how much that book of poetry would mean to me. I've had the book for quite sometime and I've flipped through the pages, but never have I really sat down to read it thoroughly. Last month, Drew and I completed a gallery wall in our living room. I was wanting to add something to our wall besides photos, so I thought, "Why don't I look in that poetry book? Maybe there is something in there I can use." I grabbed the book, and y'all…the very first page I opened…THE VERY FIRST page I saw was this one. I couldn't believe my eyes. Tears slowly formed as I read the titles.

THE PERFECT HOME

When faith abides within the house… Then truly there is love…As constant and eternal as…The silver stars above…And when affection fills the house…Then surely there is peace… And happy are the gentle hearts…In joys that never cease…For faith and love and peace are one…And as they blend together…They form the perfect rainbow bright…Beyond the darkest weather…And always God is present there…To comfort and to bless…The ones who join in prayer to Him…For health and happiness…And so as faith and love and peace…And God surround each deed… There is no endless shadow and … There is no desperate need. 

JOB 

A job is something we must have… To buy our daily bread…To get some clothes to wear and find…A place to rest our head…But more than that it is the change…To take our place in life…And to support as best we can…Our children and the wife… To have respectability…And hold our head up high…And prove we have the courage and…The willingness to try…It may be quite a prominent…Or just a humble task…But doing it and doing well…Are all the world can ask…It may not pay a fortune and…It may not be a song…But when we have and hold a job…It shows that we belong. 

ROAD TO HAPPINESS

The road to happiness begins…In front of every door…If we are certain that we know…What are we looking for…If we are just prepared to face…The problems that arise…And do not fear the gloomy clouds… That gather in the skies…For we must have the strength and will…To see our efforts through…And we must do our part in life…To make our dreams come true…No victory is easy and …No goal is quickly gained…And prizes are not given to…The one who has complained … Our road may be a winding path…And it may twist and bend…But everlasting happiness…Is waiting at the end. 

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My entire year of 2013 right there y'all….in the biggest nutshell. I carefully ripped this page out and stuck it in a frame. It's proudly displayed in my living room and makes me smile every time I see it.

We may have spent the beginning of 2013 with  by taking the scary leap into letting me be a full time photographer, moving out of our home, getting our home fixed, living with my brother and sister-in-law in their guest bedroom for 4 months, moving back into our home, getting our home back in order, house projects upon house projects, and working more hours than I can even count a lot of uncertainty and a lack of stability but 2013 rocked. It proved to be crazy awesome in the biggest ways.  Sure, it was hard, but to me hard just means AWESOME. Taking the easy road to me is just not rewarding or worth it. Ya feel me? :) I have finally learned to embrace those lemons in my life that haven't been the ripest, or the sweetest because it's just making my journey towards living my absolute best life even more meaningful. It's giving me PURPOSE. It's writing my story. If I had the perfect life, nothing ever went wrong, and the sun always shined…that's all it would be…perfect. I don't want perfect. I want a life full of those ups and downs, good and bad, happy and sad. It builds character ya know. It also keeps things interesting. What good is a perfect life when you could have a beautiful life of lessons that allow you to appreciate this life? I sit here today with more clarity than I had last year and that is all I could ever ask for.

Last year, our goals were the following: 

1. Fix our house and move.
2. Pay off my car and credit card by June.
3. Brand our Photography Business.

Well, we fixed our house and have plans to move out next year. For now we are enjoying our first home together and are going to save save save this year. What a project this has been. ;)

We DID pay off my car in July (hollaaaa!) BUT then it broke down in August. I'm now driving a different car and I don't hate it. See, life doesn't go juuuust as planned. But the bright side? I did pay it off. I have a new set of wheels and I feel safe.

Photography business has been branded. We just have our website left and it's in the works! Boom jackalackaaaa! :)

Not bad. Not bad.

How did I do with my December 2013 goals?

Introduce Hattie (Seriously!)

Front Foyer Before & After (Have to wait on this but it's done! Waiting on the green light!)

Continue to work on Love, The Nelsons Website

FInish Reading "Boundaries" (Only two chapters left!)

Complete ALL weddings and sessions of 2013 by December 20th (Wasn't realistic once again but I'm getting there quickly)

Only photograph LIFE around me/ No sessions or weddings to re-charge-re-focus-REST & oh yeah, get caught up! 
Get office organized (again) - It's a mess
Send in equipment to get cleaned
Clean out closet and drawers in house (NIGHTMARE)
Get Receipts, Papers, Contracts, E-mails, Hard-drives ORGANIZED 
Focus on the behind-the-scenes of my business that I haven't had time for
Watch my favorite holiday movies with DDHP
Christmas date with DDHP
Be more in the present (Joining Lara in #presentdecember) YOU SHOULD JOIN!! 
Order Christmas cards and send them out to friends and family (We might have gone too far this year y'all…Oh man.)
Host the small group (Coffee & Word) at my house for brunch
Host Christmas Party for Brunch Bunch (Group of sweet muffin photographer friends here in ATX)
Spend more time at home with Drew (Sadly, this is something we HAVE to plan for haha)
Go look at Christmas lights with Drew
Triple  date with friends
Pay it Forward in a big way
Update my address book & SAVE IT (BECAUSE I NEVER SAVE ADDRESSES AND HAVE TO ASK EVERY.SINGLE.TIME - Gosh, I am annoying.) 
Complete all Christmas shopping by December 15th (HA! Try two days before Christmas! :))
Gift myself with two weeks of vacation at the end of this month to breathe, relax, and reward myself for a crazy-tiring-busy year and ENJOY time with my family and friends. My boss has been HARD on me this year y'all. ;) 
Pray. Every. Day.
Pray MORE for others. How can I pray for you?? (Leave a comment below and I'll add you to my prayer list!)
Get myself a MASSAGE. OHHHH yeahhhh. Cannot. Wait. 
Cuddle my heart out with DDHP. Smack his bum. 

Our 2014 Goals 

1. Stress less = less busy. Simplify our lives, commitments and schedules.
2. Mentally prepare and get comfortable with the idea of Baby Nelson's in 2015 or 2016.
3. Vacation - Just the two of us.
4. More fun. More spontaneity. More adventure. More dates.
5. Meet Steph and Neal.
6. Figure out our housing situation. To build or buy? Save. Save. Save.
7. Count Our Blessings, Daily.

Personal Goals for 2014

Learn Film
Host The Glow Workshop again
Cook and Prepare more meals for Drew ( Betty Crocker hates me )
Gain more confidence/Stop apologizing for who I am
Guest speak at a conference/Inspire/Teach/Help the growth of others
Limit the amount of weddings I photograph/More selective
Travel to a place I've never been
Take more photos of MY life
Own a bike with a basket
Try something new
Be BRAVE.
See my work published in a magazine (DREAM BIG! WHY NOT!?)
Less complaining & Less Wanting - I am blessed! I have all I need.
Trust my gut instinct. It hasn't failed me yet but I've failed to listen to it, way too many times
Stop holding back in fear of what other's will think/ BE FREE
Finally make the Vegas trip happen with my blog girls we've been talking about for two years

January Goals

Second shoot with my muffin Jessica 
Celebrate Drew's Mom's (my MIL's) birthday
Celebrate Andrew and his twin sister, Ashley's birthday
Celebrate my birthday ( I'm ANCIENT!)
Attend my cousins wedding as a GUEST :)
Three photo sessions
Continue to simplify and organize my house
Get my house ready to photograph for a HOUSE TOUR (Can't wait!)
Work on Love, The Nelsons website
Plan launch party/announce launch date
Paint doors in house
Yoga class once a week (twice if I'm feelin' funky fresh!)
Drink more water for the sake of my poor little kidneys
Start reducing the amount of sugar intake (My skin is TERRIBLE!)
Floss every single day
Finish all my edits and be caught up FULLY so I can have a dance party with myself

I'm keeping it pretty simple this month in honor of simplifying my thoughts, my life, and my schedule. I really want this year to focus more on my well-being and mental health. You know, not over-doing it, saying no to things that will just add stress to my schedule, and being realistic. I'm really bad at that. Haha! :)

HAPPY NEW YEARS Y'ALL! I raise my hand full of sour patch kids to you! Hopefully they will be more sweet than sour for you! :) 2014…Be good to all of us will you? :) OKAY y'all… SO tell me! What are your goals??? :) Feel free to share them with me! I love reading what y'all are accomplishing! And last but not least…SHAKE what ya mama gave ya!

XO!

Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Portraits

November Goals

Hey Y'all! :) 

WASSSSAAAAAP!? Anyone remember this from back in the day? Just takin' y'all BACK because I'm cool like that. :) 

I've been out of the country the past couple of days photographing a beautiful wedding in Mexico, and I'm trying to get a grasp on these November monthly goals…but honestly, I can't even seem to get past an overwhelming to-do list that is starring at me in the face right now. It's RUDE I tell ya! :)  I'm not going to lie…I wish I could just push a button and everything say, "COMPLETE! DONE! YOU DID AWESOME! WAY TO GO SHAY! YOU KICKED BOOOTTAAAY! GO KICK YOUR FEET UP AND WATCH KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS GUILT FREE!" But, then I quickly come back to this thing called REAL LIFE, realize that I need to watch better television shows, and really FEEL the slap upside the head and LISTEN that little voice in the back of my head: "GET ER DONE!..GET. ER. DONE!" 

OKAY. OKAY. OKAY. I am. And I will. But here's the thing. 

Life and business are making my days seem like a complete and total blur. I've been warned that "wedding season" is HARD. I was feeling really discouraged a minute ago when I looked at my list of photos to edit, e-mails to answer, clients waiting, a workshop that's JUST days away, obligations, chores haunting me, text messages from family and friends needing me and asking when we can visit, dogs who want me to play with them for more than 2 minutes, and an empty fridge delightfully decorated with dead lettuce, baking soda, molded cheese, and a half empty water bottle. All I could think of when I got home from this past weekend was, "Lord, Help me!" And then I checked Facebook and saw these two statuses from other wedding photographers: 

"15 engagement/portrait sessions and 4 weddings in the last 30 days. My hard drives are full, and my pantry/refrigerator are bare. Today I am thankful for a day of rest....aka grocery shopping for the first time in over a month. And oh yes...laundry. Loads and loads of laundry. Specifically Jordan and I's coats which got pooped on by flying geese at our shoot yesterday. Haha great way to end this chaotic season!!"

"'Tis the season of weddings. All of my wedding-work clothes have holes in them, my shoes are falling apart, and my right hand and shoulder have perpetual soreness. Hoorah! Let's do it again tomorrow!"

I am not alone. I FEEL BETTER.

October was insane. Just insane. A good insane, no doubt! AND really…I'm thankful for all of it. It makes me feel human because let's face it-  I am not superwoman. 

I am however, a wife. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am an aunt. I am a friend. I am a photographer. I am a business owner. I am ME and I am doing the absolute best I can at all of those things. That's all that matters. Trying your best. Doing your best. I refuse to apologize for it.

Even on days that I feel discouraged, not good enough, not quick enough, not awesome enough…I still can't help but look up and say, "Thank you." Shoot-chy'all! I'm forever thankful for this season of life and all the lessons it is teaching me. 

THANKFUL doesn't even begin to describe my heart right now. 

I do feel like I'm in a weird place with my life and business. I have so many aspirations, goals, wants, needs, dreams, desires, and thoughts that drench my thoughts day in and day out. I crave stability, confidence, consistency and a place where I can feel like I can look at myself and say, "THIS IS IT YO! YOU HAVE MADE IT. YOU HAVE IT TOGETHER." 

Pshh. One day. Maybe. Hopefully that day will come.

But for now, I'm going to be thankful for this time of growth and learning - this season of complete awkwardness and coming into my own. I will embrace the good, the rough patches, the battle of trying to get to where I want to be professionally and personally.I will be thankful that I am just on the journey. That's something I need to be proud of right? I'll celebrate that TODAY and every day. I'm thankful for these moments the Lord has given me and I won't question it, get impatient or upset with it. Even if I struggle to feel that way, I am making the conscious effort to be optimistic. Things take time. It's a good place to be, even if it doesn't necessarily feel peaceful or meet my desires.

I AM DOING MY BEST. Granted - My best might not be as good as your best, or be "the best" according to other's standards- but that's okay. My best is MY best. 

I constantly go back and read this article my friend Lauren wrote on her blog, Love, Milk and Honey a couple of months ago. I feel like I could have written this post word for word, thought for thought…but sadly, I didn't. Go read it HERE. It's exactly what I want to say right now. 

ALRIGHT- Enough of my long-winded-ness! Let's get on with it! :) 

OCTOBER GOALS

Do a proper introduction of Hattie (I swear it's coming)

Go to a Yoga Class 

Before/After Front Foyer (SOON!)

Photograph SIX weddings this month

Get a freaking hair cut (Haven't since last DECEMBER y'all! - My hairs are not happy with me.)

Prep for GLOW Workshop with Amanda

Work out 3 times a week (NO excuses!)

Early to Rise - Early to Bed

Make Smores with Drew

Manage my social media use - Live more IN the moment rather than checking my phone 

Follow new business hours - FRIDAYS OFF (With Drew since it's our only day we have together)

Cook a new fall recipe and eat it even if it tastes terrible lol

Go to the Pumpkin Patch and pick out the cutest, plumpest pumpkin ever! Name her Pam. 

Continue to work on Love, The Nelsons Website

Pay it Forward

Tile Front Porch

Get Carpet Installed Upstairs

Manage my stress - Working out, breathing, praying, YOGA, Chocolate, Sour Patch Kids... :) 

Start saving for a Contax (THIS could take awhile haha)

Do something spontaneous and fun

I tried my best to Rock October, and I would say I did okay! :) Didn't get everything done, but I def. tried. 

NOVEMBER GOALS

Do a proper introduction of Hattie (I swear it's coming)

Go to a freakin' Yoga Class (ANYONE WANT TO GO WITH ME!?)

Before/After Front Foyer

Tile Front Porch

Continue to work on Love, The Nelsons Website

HOST THE GLOW WORKSHOP! (I CAN'T WAIT!)

Photograph Two Weddings (Ending my 2013 Wedding Season!)
Photograph Six Sessions (Ending my 2013 Portrait/Engagement/Bridal Season!)
Spend more time in prayer - Really work on my relationship with the Lord where I fail.

Go to the deer lease with my family
Take my advanced calligraphy course with Lauren

Finish Reading "Boundaries"

Complete all October/November weddings by first week in December (Fingers crossed)

Do my best and not apologize for it
Continue to NOT be glued to my phone

Pay It Forward
Drink MORE water (No more kidney stones, please!)

Tell someone in my life thank you every single day

Host a friend in Austin

Finish Guest Bathroom Renovations
Make my bed every day

ONLY ONE SOUR PATCH KID BAG EVERY TWO WEEKS (This will be really hard, sadly)

Take Christmas Card Phi-zotos
Research places to go for my 5 year wedding anniversary with Drew in March! (DANGGGG GINA!)
Make out with Drew (HAHA! Jk. ;)) Okay - I'm totally serious.)

What are your goals this month!?!? :) 

Photo Credit: Ryan Ray

October Goals

Dear Friends and Family, 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. If you are reading this, I just want to let you know that I am about to be the busiest I've ever been and yes, it's an awesome and exciting thing for me...but please know that I love you guys and that I am sorry for being MIA. I will see you after November. I love you. :) 

Love, 

Dramatic Shalyn

Happppppy October Muffin Heads! 

It's freaking October!?!?!? I know I'm all surprised but I swear the days are FLYING. I mean, FLYINGGGGG by with Superman and Spidey senses. 

FALL is my most favorite. Boots, Scarves, Cooler weather, you know, FALL STUFF...I don't even need to list out all the awesomeness that is THIS time of year. BUT I am so excited for the next 31 days of non-stop craziness I'm about to encounter. BRING IT OCTOBER. BRING IT. I saw someone on my friend Rhi's instagram the other day refer to October as ROCKtober and I couldn't help but nod and laugh. Let's ROCK OUT WITH OUR CAMERAS OUT Y'ALL! :) ;) 

October is hands down going to be the busiest month of my photography career. I'm not going to lie...I'm nervous, anxious, and excited to just see if I can get through this month with some sanity in tact and some sleep. :) The good news is that even though this month (and next month) are completely booked solid (SO thankful, I really am!) I have decided to block off the whole entire month of December to recoup and rejuvenate for 2014. I am going to need it, that is for sure. 

I promise I will try to post here on the blog, but if I go missing, I beeeeet you will know where to find me. ;)

Let's see how I did on my goals for September... 

SEPTEMBER GOALS

Finish ALL editing from my summer weddings 

Get featured on a wedding blog

Continue working on LTN website

Continue planning launch party

Continue working on welcome packages

Do a proper introduction to Hattie Nelson 

Go to a Yoga Class

Look for new photo session locations

Speak on a panel about wedding photography with Kelly and Caroline on the UT Campus (Nervous but excited about this!)

Pay it Forward

Before/After Front Foyer

Go fishing with my Papaw

House Tour/Updates (Going to take this off until I finish a few more rooms- schedule is too busy right now)
Visit Amanda in Ft. Worth and work on our workshop coming up - GLOW

Be realistic with timelines

Under promise, Over deliver

Photograph Two Weddings

Plan a whole day with Drew to celebrate his new job

Start looking for an intern for the fall to help me with blogging my work

Purchase a new lens

Treat myself to a meal at my favorite Mexican Food restaurant

Participate in TREAT YOSELF DAY and blog all about it

OCTOBER GOALS

Do a proper introduction of Hattie (I swear it's coming)

Go to a Yoga Class 

Before/After Front Foyer (SOON!)

Photograph SIX weddings this month

Get a freaking hair cut (Haven't since last DECEMBER y'all! - My hairs are not happy with me.)

Prep for GLOW Workshop with Amanda

Work out 3 times a week (NO excuses!)

Early to Rise - Early to Bed

Make Smores with Drew

Manage my social media use - Live more IN the moment rather than checking my phone 

Follow new business hours - FRIDAYS OFF (With Drew since it's our only day we have together)

Cook a new fall recipe and eat it even if it tastes terrible lol

Go to the Pumpkin Patch and pick out the cutest, plumpest pumpkin ever! Name her Pam. 

Continue to work on Love, The Nelsons Website

Pay it Forward

Tile Front Porch

Get Carpet Installed Upstairs

Manage my stress - Working out, breathing, praying, YOGA, Chocolate, Sour Patch Kids... :) 

Start saving for a Contax (THIS could take awhile haha)

Do something spontaneous and fun

WHOO! LET'S DO THIS ROCKTOBER! 

You know the drill! How did you do last month? What are your October goals? :) 

Photo: Ryan Ray