Whenever I talk about self-love I often mention that the act of self-love does not necessarily involve material things. It is my belief that self-love is more about taking responsibility for yourself and making time to do things that bring you most joy, rather than spoiling yourself with material possessions. Although I do know acquiring material possessions can also bring one joy.
A lot of girls I know get very excited about shopping trips. I personally don’t get my kicks from clothes shopping, in fact I loathe it. I hate the time it takes and I hate being stuck inside a mall when I could be outside enjoying the fresh air. I also hate the idea of having to try stuff on, for me it is more a time-wasting chore that I avoid. I do however find joy in grocery shopping – I look forward to my Saturday morning supermarket aisle time. I think it is more about the way I spend it not rushing and can just be alone with my thoughts and my shopping trolley. Odd I know.
A material possession which brings me great joy however is my camera. I find myself propelled into a happy space when I am behind the lens, for me it is a wonderful outlet for my creative side. I can spend hours, literally hours, setting up props and tweaking the lighting to take photos of food. Putting aside tasks and chores to spend an entire Sunday morning taking photos is my little bit of self-love. And one I thoroughly enjoyed this week.
I decided, after many months of deliberation, that I would spoil myself and get my hands on a macro lens. I knew it would make my photos pop, but I had no idea just how much. I am still in the very, very early learning stages of photography, I need many lessons and experience yet to be anywhere near ‘good’ enough in a technical sense, but I love the way it transforms me into creative me. I was anxious about spending money on a new lens, I know this hobby could get very expensive. But I used the excuse that it is my birthday this week. And so the guilt of spending that money on a lens gradually diminished. And then the first (unedited) photos propelled me into self-love bliss.
Sometimes I need to remind myself that splurging on something that isn’t necessarily ‘useful’ but more something I ‘want’ is okay. My husband and I are both very focused on paying bills and reducing debt, mostly what we earn goes towards our mortgage and practical things for our home. We drive very old cars as we’re reluctant to commit to car finance. In some ways I am proud of that, but very occasionally I need to remind myself that we work our butts off and we deserve to spend on ourselves too. So this week I did.
And damn it feels good.
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And so another linky for my self-love lovers. It's super easy - do something wonderful for yourself and write about it. Or group some photos of small moments that have brought you joy this week, whatever has made you smile. Add my button (code is below) to your post and pop your link in below. Then head on over and check out another self-love lover and share in their joy. Let's spread the smiles!
ohhh you made me hungry!! seriously, such awesome pics - i think you are a much better photographer than you give yourself credit for! I'm so glad to have found your self love link up - came at the most perfect time! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Lyndal. I'm definitely still in very early learning stages but it's slowly making sense. And I am enjoying the practice part.
DeleteI see you have linked up, YAY!! Heading over for a read now. Thanks so much for joining in! xo
Fantastic shots!
ReplyDeleteYep - you totally deserve a little something special that makes your heart happy.
:-) x
Thank you Shar, heart is happy. :) xo
DeleteI was aaaalmost tempted to link up my 'me time wtf' post, but I didn't think even YOUR substantial sense of humour would appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that capsicum shot, Peggy. It's just a star. x
BRON DO IT!! DO IT! I would love that! My sense of humour would LOVE it! And I would be SO HONOURED to have you link up with my humble little linky. Please do it?
DeleteThe yellow capsicum looks a little like a love heart. Thank you sweets. xo
These shots are just gorgeous Peggy, so colourful and vibrant. Just the perfect looking food... almost too good to eat! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Jules, the macro lens is a real treat! xo
DeleteOh wow - SO many things to comment on here!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all - the beautiful pics. SUCH beautiful pics!
Second of all - I am with you on the shopping thing. I HATE shopping, ESPECIALLY trying on clothes!
Third of all - these little spurges ARE hard to justify, but we do KNOW when we deserve them. About 6 months after starting my business I bought myself a Canon SLR as a "to Kelly, love Kelly" gift. I figure I deserved it because I had worked very hard up to that point. I haven't really done it justice (other some nice pics from our Europe trip 4 years ago) but you have motivated me to get it out of mothballs and USE the bloody thing!
Thank you Kelly, I was utterly rapt with the way the photos turned out. Actually when I first looked through the new lens I think I may have sighed at the beauty.
DeleteShopping sucks, so boring!
The little splurges are hard to justify but I think once the guilt subsides I do realise the positive side of it. You absolutely must get your SLR out and give it a whirl. It is amazing how much more creative my camera makes me, I'm always looking for beautiful or quirky things to snap.
Such lovely photos Peggy! I'm so excited to read you bought a acro lens!! Go You!!
ReplyDeleteI have just got my camera back from te camera doctor, so looking forward to getting back to practicing my photography. It's such a way to escape and do something I enjoy.
It is a wonderful way to escape Nat, I can spend hours snapping away creating new settings. It's a lovely little hobby.
DeleteThose photos are AMAZING! Are you sure you're not a pro?! We bought a portrait lens when Fletch was born and it has taken such great photos. It makes all the difference! I think it's so important to buy yourself nice things sometimes. Things that will continue to bring you joy and happiness are priceless really. And Happy Birthday for this week! x
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely! Definitely a beginner but full of motivation.
DeleteIt is important to spoil yourself now and again. You're so right, things that bring joy and happiness ARE priceless. I must remember that next time I am splurging on myself.
Thank you for the birthday wishes. xo
Oh - those photos are fantastic! I get a similar joy from photography but I'm yet to treat myself to the macro lens I've been coveting. Sadly, I think my camera body will need replacing sooner rather than later so a news lens will have to wait!
ReplyDeleteMelissa the macro lens is BEAUTIFUL! I actually knew in the back of my mind I would get a macro one day, but I went into the store with the intention of buying a 50mm lens. One look through the macro and I was sold! I love it.
DeleteTreat yourself, you won't regret it.
enjoy that new lens! I am loving these images, so bright & so crisp!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I can't wait to have another play this weekend!
DeleteYou are totally rocking with that camera hun. Your talent knows no bounds! Proud of you lovely xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you gorgeous. I do love camera play. I can see how this hobby can get very addictive. xo
DeleteWhat a fantastic concept - I absolutley love it! Recently a girl at work had been O/S and bought some new perfume, Armani Code and every time she wore it, i thought that is just so gorgeous. I found myself at the chemist the other day picking up a script for my sick little one and while waiting, found myself asking the shop assistant, how much the Armani Code was and then found myself saying "I'll have one of those" - and do you know...I bloody love it!!
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC Marianne! Perfume does that for me too. I have a very strong sense of smell so if a scent gets me giddy I have to have it. I smelt Chloè once and had to have it. I wear it every day, I don't save it for a 'special occasion'. I sometimes even put it on at night after my shower, ie for bed! So lovely.
DeleteEnjoy! And thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me a note. :)
I am so happy that you indulged yourself with that lens - you deserve it hon and OMG your photos continue to amaze me - seriously I keep swooning to you about them but i am serious - I overlook many blogs heavy on photos as i don't let myself stay and linger on them, yours is one where i would stay fro 30 shots if you posted them - LOVE! Definitely stop underselling yourself - you may still have things to learn, but don't we all.
ReplyDeleteYou take fabulous photos, Peggy. Splurging on something that will bring you so much joy is more than okay. So good for the soul. x
ReplyDelete