It seems like something I say a lot, but I do feel as I get older I need to start making some changes in how I live and how I blog. You may have noticed that I haven’t been doing a lot in social media recently.
With Coronavirus, or COVID 19 we have been staying home. Australia has done quite well with it all, but staying home has been the norm for quite some time. Our state Premiers still want us to stay home if we can, and that is what we are choosing to do.
While having all this time at home it has given me a lot of time to think. And if I’m being honest time to explore other things. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I have been doing a lot of food photography recently, which also means baking. I am in love with baking again. It is just a shame there are only two of us here in the house so I can’t bake too much.
So because of all of this I’ve come to realise, that while I love photography, I want to explore more things as well. Part of those changes are going to affect this blog.
Making Changing
Over the last few weeks I’ve toyed with the idea of giving up all my social media, this blog included. I’ve been blogging for 10 years now and it is something I’ve really enjoyed, but it has also brought a lot of heartache as well. I was given a lot of encouragement from people that made me want to try things in a business way but then they just failed. I’ve failed in so many things over the last 10 years. It has been very hard. How many times can a person fail for it to be good for their mental health?
Since making that decision to stop the business side of my photography I’ve never been happier. It feels like a load has been lifted. I also feel like I can do anything I want now. There is no need to keep putting myself out there for that failure. I don’t have to keep trying to find ways to make money. The pressure is gone.
So while that has happened what I do here, and on other social media sites I have, has been a problem. Or rather me not knowing what to do. I am still not sure what I will do, but I have a plan and it means there are going to be changes.
Going Forward
This blog’s focus is going to stop being solely on photography. For quite some time I’ve wanted to be able to talk about things that I am concerned about and never felt I could do it here. So I want to incorporate more aspects of my life. I want to be able to talk about my kitchen and cooking, or what life is like as a woman in her mid 50’s. How I see the world, where I came from and where I’m going.
Basically I am now a 55 year old housewife who loves to bake and to take photos. I’m also an artist who wants to concentrate on that more.
Photography
There will still be photos. I will still be going out to take photos and working on them in photoshop. I can’t give that up.
What I can stop doing is obsessing about it.
I can stop getting up at 6 am and spending all day on my computer trying to do things that I think others will like. Worrying about likes and comments. Being concerned that people won’t like what I’m doing. I can tell you right now it doesn’t make you happy.
Trying to be a professional photographer is so hard. I know many people thought I was successful, but really I wasn’t. I often wonder too about other photographers I see and wonder how successful they really are as well. So many people who pick up a camera want to be a professional. I say good luck, but really I’m thinking good luck with that.
The Future As I Get Older
I get that many aren’t interested in this and perhaps this might start to look more like a lifestyle blog, but I believe that women of my age are underrepresented and I want to give us a voice. It is something I’ve been trying to do with that other blog I started. However, if I’m honest, I just can’t keep two blogs going. So the best thing I can think of doing is melding the two together.
I should probably stop here. It is my wish that you will want to continue on this journey with me, but I understand if this wasn’t what you signed up for. I do hope you do stay.
The plan is to try and look at the world through my eyes, good or bad, yet to be determined. It isn’t going to become a cooking blog, I can assure you of that. I am too lazy to be writing out recipes, though I will do some on what I’m cooking, but I will give you the links. I hope that sounds okay.
Let’s See
So let’s see where we end up. Who knows what will happen. I hope we have some great discussions and lots of laughs. As I am getting older I know my values and what I want in life are changing and so I want that to be reflected more. There will be more posts on that coming up.
I really am stopping now, and I have a heap of food photos for you. They were all taking over the last few months. Did I tell you how much I love baking?
Because it seems like a nice thing to do, here is a link to one of my favourite YouTube channels right now, Cupcake Jemma.
Hi Leanne, Your post is so real. I feel the same way about blogging. I was not even a slight success as a professional blogger, but I deleted my so-called “professional blog” and I’ve never been happier. We are moved and settled in our new home, which is a small condo – no acre of yard work, septic tank problems, air con problems, nada. (It was a difficult summer and fall.) We are finally truly retired and we both love it. We have tons of trails around us where we walk. I’ve been spending hours organizing my photos and having so much fun going through my Australia photos. So beautiful and so much fun. I’ll never forget it, and bringing up the memories brings many smiles to my face. It sounds like you are doing well as well. Take care, my friend. 🙂
Hi Marsha, sounds like you have been very busy. I have to say since I gave up the business aspect I have been so happy. I feel like I can share it more now.
Happy retirement, what will be next huh. Sounds like you have lots of plans as well. I will never forget your visit either. I am doing well, it has been so good. Thank you and you take care too. 😀
It’s so good to hear from you, Leanne. I’m glad you are happy. Life is too short to spend it unhappy when we have the control to change it. 🙂 My Australian pets and I send lots of love and good wishes your way. 🙂
I went to Healesville Sanctuary a couple of weeks ago, I have a video up on YouTube from there. I still remember all those animals you got, so many. I can’t believe you still have them. lol
You are right, I think in the end I got sick of trying and failing, it is so much better now.
It’s a shame you were not successful in your professional photography career, as your work is very good – but I’m happy for you assessing things and realizing how you can remove the stress and anxiety from your life. Be well and enjoy your future … stress-free! 🙂
It is a shame, but I can’t say I am unhappy now. I feel really good about my decision and am loving things so much. I will, thank you so much Martha. You be happy too.
Thank you for this post. After struggling for years to “make a living” in the arts, at 34 I tried taking up ballet for the first time – just for fun. The overwhelming relief and satisfaction knowing that I would never be a pro ballerina, allowed me to let go of the pressure to be good and just enjoy it. It gave me the perspective to pivot to a career that was a better fit. Now I’m in my 40s, and that the pressure to make money from them is gone, I can enjoy doing creative work and sharing it with the world again. A colleague of mine once said that art is a gift. I think this must be what she meant. Look forward to reading more.
You’re welcome Priscilla. I think that was one of things I realised when I was getting older, that there would be things that I would never be able to achieve because I was too old. I should do a post about that. It is so good have the pressure of making money go away, it feels like you can just enjoy it again, fall in love again. Thank you Priscilla, lovely to hear from you.
You might want to think about just offering your work as digital downloads. I have done that and it was a huge relief.
They will never happen, I like my work too much and value it too much to just give it away.
NO, I meant selling it only as digital downloads. As for unauthorized use people can reprint a purchased print is they are inclined and selling as digital downloads streamlines the process and releases you from trying to second guess printing trends. I don’t give anything away.
Oh okay, sorry I misunderstood. I have tried doing that too, but no one ever wanted to buy them. I just can’t be bothered now. Oh well.
Thanks for your honesty, Leanne. Maybe this is an opportunity to give yourself some time and space to relax into whatever comes next? It would be great if you are able to speak up for us women “of a certain age”! I love your photos (always have!) and look forward to wherever your exploration takes you. All the best! x
I have been doing the relaxing for about 6 months, trying to decide and I think this blog needs to move away from being just about photography, I’m looking forward to seeing where I end up with it. I would love to give a voice to women of a certain age, love that, and I hope I do it well. Thank you so much.
You sound happy and at peace with your choices! Good for you! You seem to have many creative aspects to you life!!!
I am Nora, really happy, I love what I’ve doing. Thank you so much. Yes, I love being creative.
Looking forward to the changes in your blog and reading about the adventures of a middle aged white Australian woman.
Thank you Khürt, I hope it will be interesting.
Hi Leanne, Thankyou as always for your honest reflections. No one ever likes to hear that someone is struggling but you have always shared realistically and its refreshing to not feel so alone in the struggle in a world that is so glossy and shiny and superficial sometimes. I am happy to hear that you have found joy in cooking and your photos as always are wonderful. I look forward to reading your new chapters as they unfold. Best wishes. Jennifer
You’re welcome Jennifer. That’s true and you are right I’ve always tried to be honest about what problems I’ve had. I love baking so much, and the best part is you get to eat it afterwards. Well maybe that isn’t always good.
Thank you Jennifer, it is going to be fun going ahead.
Good for you! Like you I have been questioning many things during this time. I have come to the same conclusion. It is time to change.
It seems to happen from time to time and with the world as it is, it is a good time to do it. Thank you so much Joseph.
You are welcome.
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Well done Leanne for openly discussing this – not many bloggers seem to keep going for 5 years let alone 10. I’m sure you’ll relax a load more if you just write, or photograph whatever interests you at the time. I’ve been freed up mentally by just deciding to ease back on quite such in depth blog posts as I’ve tended to do for my nearly 10 years. I told readers I’d be changing to a simpler more review style….but heck f you’ve just managed to film a colony of honeybees scouting out a hive you built and then actually swarming in, well…. I might make an exception. Go for it, best of luck , don’t feel pressurised into any arbitrat
Thank you Julien, that is pretty much what I’m hoping. Since I stopped the business side there have been other things that I’ve been interested in. Simple can be good, I think I just want to be able to talk about this that concern me. Or talk about other things I’m doing, I’ve been baking so much sourdough bread and loving that, so it would be nice to talk about that for instance. You go for it as well, good luck.
Your architectural photography always struck me as unique and powerful. Your way of handling light is marvelous. Now I see that same wonderful approach in your food photography. It is delightful – pun intended. Keep it up.
Thank you Ludwig, it is something I will continue doing, but maybe not as much. I love playing with light, that is what I have always been interested in. I hadn’t thought about that, but I think you are right, thank you.
Thanks for your honesty. It’s always good to read about the hopes and dreams of others because so many of us have similar hobbies, aspirations and assessments in common. I, too, worry too much about what people think about what I write even though this is only a hobby. But I’ve fine as you are about to do: I’m pleasing myself by sharing thoughts, plans, and hobbies all on my blog. I wish you the best. And I look forward to more delicious photos of food or share vet you want to share. Your photos blow me away, and I continue to learn from you.
We do don’t we, lots of similarities. It can be a problem worrying about what people think, I’m trying to ignore it. That is good that you are doing what pleases you, that is what I’ve been trying to do a lot more. Thank you so much Rusha, I haven’t been this excited about blogging for a while.
Also, if you haven’t submitted to this challenge, you should. You have so many photos that are perfect : Lens-Artists Challenge. Comes out each week on Saturdays.
I’ve been too lazy to do that sort of thing, but I will think about it, thanks Rusha.
I say do what makes you happy. Life is too short.
I like what you are saying, thank you Cindy.
Well Leanne, I have to say I love everything you wrote and all the images. You are so talented in photography and writing. Maybe a novel in the future? I’m also in my mid 50’s and trying to do something different. Please keep me on your mailing list. Everything everyone mentioned above I agree, they just said it better than I could.
That is great to hear. I do quite like writing, but this sort of writing I’m afraid, I can’t see any books for me in the future. It is good to try different things, I feel more comfortable with it all now. Thank you.
I completely understand you wanting to take a new direction with your blog and I wish you all the best with it – also, I think that your photography is amazing:)
Thank you so much, there will still be lots of photography I think, but it is nice to make some changes to what I’ve been doing for so many years.
Hope this change will be good for you!
Thank you Marland, I hope so too.
I thought I wanted to be a pro photographer in my retirement job, but quickly learned it’s a hard road to travel. I found happiness in writing my blog and sharing travel and photos, and I don’t need the income (except to buy new photo toys, that is.)
I truly understand your desire to branch out in focus, and I look forward to seeing other facets of your pastimes.
It really is a hard road, I’ve been trying for over 10 years now, and I just struggled. That is good to hear you enjoy writing your blog, I do as well. Like you I don’t need to worry about money either, thank goodness.
Thank you John, it is nice to expand and talk about other things, so many topics, I hardly know where to start.
All your baking looks amazing. Great photographs too. I have even more of a problem with baking, as I live on my own. are you going to post recipes? I will probably enjoy your blog even more if it contains a variety of things. As you can see my blog has photographs and food as well as crafts which for me is the main focus.
Thank you Jane, it has been fun trying some food photography. I love baking, it brings bake some lovely memories, but more of that in a future post I think. I am not going to post recipes, but since I get them from the internet I will post links and if I change anything, or do something I will let you know what I did. I change recipes all the time. There will definitely be a lot more variety I think, I’m looking forward to branching out beyond photography.
To be honest, Leanne, I love following blogs about people and their everyday life best – I like that the bloggers I follow are truly passionate about writing, or art, or cooking, or taking photographs, but I like that they are real people first and foremost. So as another fifty-something woman having recently changed direction in life (we moved out of a big city last year to a much quieter life) personally I’m really looking forward to seeing what you get up to next, wherever that takes you blog-wise! 🙂
That is great to hear Ruth, so hopefully what I will be doing in the future will be of interest to you. Thank you so much, quieter is good.
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Hi Leanne … I’m not going anywhere! I think you are amazing .. and am looking forward to the next chapter! Sure to be wonderful … By the way, your baking looks fantastic! Brilliant photos as always. Go girl!
That’s great to hear Julie, oh that’s nice of you to say, but I’m no one special. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next. Thank you, I’m loving the baking, will have to post about it more.
Good Luck, Leanne, in this new phase of your life. I, too started my blog ten years ago and am thinking about making some changes as my traveling days seems to be dwindling. In the future I will probably concentrate less on travel and more on photography and family history. We came across each other’s blogs nine years ago when you found a post of mine regarding our visit to Australia in 2011. I have a lot of fond memories of my blogging adventures these last ten years and many of them have to do with those weekly Monochrome Madness challenges you hosted for several years. There are about 30 or 40 of us who are past participants of Monochrome Madness and who still follow each other’s blogs to this very day. We all have you to thank for bringing us together. So thank-you!
Thank you, I’m excited to see what happens. I suppose it is all part of life really, making changes as we get older. Oh Monochrome Madness, it was good while it lasted. That is great to hear that you still all support one another.
I’m hearing you Leanne. When I decided to just make art for me without any expectations of monetizing it, I started to really love it all over again. I think we just get to an age when we can’t be bothered with the drama and rubbish that is thrown up all the time. Good luck for the new direction ..
You have made such a great point, when you are doing the work just because you want to, it makes a massive difference. Oh I get the can’t be bothered so much, I’m definitely there with all that. Thank you so much Livonne, and same to you.
Well Leanne, I can tell that you have been doing a lot of thinking. I am glad to see your post, and you can count me in as for continuing to follow you.
I probably need to tell you this. I follow you because I find you interesting. Of course I admire your photographic talent. I absolutely love your work, including your food photos. Now I am hungry again. 😂
But really I have followed you because I loved your insights and your ways. Hopefully these changes will bring you joy and peace. I get what you are feeling.
When I started my blog a few years ago, I titled it, “Tim’s Viewpoints and Visuals”. The purpose was to do more than I could with a closed format like Facebook. Trump had just been nominated as the Republican presidential nominee. I wanted to express my thoughts, but I also wanted to write about my little adventures and share my photography. Well, like you, it just ended up being more of a photo/travel blog. I am happy with that now, but who knows, maybe the “viewpoint” stuff will come again.
Anyway, I wish you all the best. Looking forward to your new stuff. I am sure it will be great.
Thank you so much Tim, your comment means a lot and makes me feel good about my decision. I’m really looking forward to seeing where I go with it all. It will be nice to write some non-photography posts.
I get what you mean about wanting to express your thoughts, that has been a big reason for me wanting to do this as well. I am sure I will continue doing photography posts, but I’m looking forward to doing some on how I feel about the world and my home, etc. Who knows what I will do.
I am definitely looking forward to your new posts. And I guess I will say this, not to discourage you, but to support you.
It was distressing to read about your “failure”. You most certainly did not fail. You learned new things; you learned about yourself. How can that be failure? You are courageous, and when I saw your work for the first time, it inspired me to be brave and keep working on my blog. Leanne, you are anything but a failure.
I think there were aspects I did good in, but I could never crack that making money from it, which is what I wanted to do. Everything I tried in that respect was a massive failure. Sad but true. Deciding to stop doing that has made such a difference and I feel so much happier now. Thank you Tim.
sounds good to me…best to have fun however that feels to you. I love to read what you write. cheers, Bec
Thank you Bec, I couldn’t agree anymore with it, fun is the name of the game for me now.
I really welcome this change Leanne and look forward to more diversity in your posts. I always thought of you as being much younger than me, it turns out we’re the same age.
That is wonderful to hear Gary, I’m kind of excited to be doing more of this sort of thing. There you go, same age hey, you much be feeling the same sort of things as me.
Thank you Gary.
Thanks, Leanne. I’ve been so busy, regular blogging has fallen by the wayside. I hope as things recover and return to ‘normal’ I’ll have more time to blog.
You’re welcome Gary, I’ve the opposite, so much time during all of this, thankfully my husband has been able to work from home and never been busier.
I can totally relate. I hit the ten year mark with my photoblog last Feb. I went through cancer a few months previous which profoundly affected my life. I’ve never been successful at monetizing my blog. I didn’t touch my camera for months. I was and still am thinking of throwing in the towel. Time will tell. I’m 68 and am entering the last chapter of my life so I want to make the best decision for me, going forward.
Best wishes!
We are very close, I hit the 10 year mark in January. I’m sorry to hear about the cancer, I hope it is going well and you are recovering. I’m the same with the monetizing, I sometimes wonder if I was just too old for it. Apparently marketing companies don’t seem to understand that our age group has money, a lot of it often. I think it sounds like you need a bread from the blog, but time to pick up the camera and just have fun with it. That is what I’m going now. Good luck and all the best.
Leanne, I hear you. I keep saying, actually even more thinking than saying the same thing……”as I am getting older”, and I have just turned 67 years young. Through this Corona Virus lockdown, my photography business has slowed down tremendously, to the point of nothing and found myself doing what I always wanted to do, but never really found the time and muse for it. I have so say, that it really fulfills me , being so creative again. Mainly If turned to my passion of floral photography, but in a different approach, if this making me rich is another question…but there unfolds a certain happiness within and that’s what counts for me at the moment. Wishing you happiness in what you are doing and looking forward to what you have to share in the near future. Cornelia
Glad you hear me Cornelia, it is a hard thing to pursue as a business. That is good to hear that you have found the time to do things you have wanted to do. Making myself rich was never really a priority for me, I am in a situation with my husband, so that is good. Thank you so much Cornelia, I am really happy and love my life right now. It has been very fulfilling and I will be doing more posts on it as we go.
How wonderful to hear that you love your life right now. I am not intending to get rich, yet I have to support myself as being divorced , but eventually it will all work. out.
Yes, money to live on, I never made enough to do that, thankfully my husband earns enough to support me.
It’s crazy how your thoughts here so closely mirror what I’ve been feeling myself. I won’t write a novel here on my history, but I can truly understand where you are coming from. I’m sure I will continue enjoying your posts and it may spur me to look inside and maybe change up my approach. Best of luck.
Thank you David, it must be something in the air, or perhaps because we have all been in isolation and been thinking too much. Though to be fair, it is something I’ve been thinking about for quite a while. I hope you have fun with your new direction, or thoughts David, we just have to go for it.
The whole of you is always the most interesting. I’m excited to follow along. I have been inspired by your photography and your tutorials – but turning a passion into a business risks turning art into drudgery. Here’s to art and exploration…wherever that leads!
Thank you Ogee, what a lovely thing to say. I’m happy to hear you want to follow along, it was a hard decision and a hard post to do. The business side of it really sucked. Thank you so much Ogee.
Your food photos are great! I need a cupcake right now. 🙂
Thank you Carol, you will have to make some, lol. 😀
Leanne totally understand and can empathize! I still love photography and always will but I’ve aged out of it as a business. Virus shut everything down like it has globally and now social unrest grips the nation. It’s been an interesting 2020 so far and i don’t have a clue about the future esp in photography. Think it’s always good to have other skills and be able to adapt as time changes. Just my op.
All the best!
Jack
Thank you so much Jack. It is a very interesting time that’s for sure. I’ve never been through anything quite like this before. It has been a great time to reflect on what I really want out of life. I will blog more about it in the next few blog posts. I agree, having other skills is good, and having other things to enjoy. I have my first photo outing soon and I’m looking forward to that, but I’ve loved exploring home just as much. All the best to you too Jack.