A client and friend of ours once gave me a little psychology test in which you find out, at your core, your central philosophy for living daily life. Â As the test begins the questions seem silly and unimportant and you answer immediately from your gut. Â But as it continues, you hear your responses become serious, even defensive, because you have hit something important. Â Mine came down to finding a way to connect with others – to see things from the perspective of people other than myself, to feel what they are feeling and understand what they need. Â Perhaps this is true for all introverts, as we are watchers and noticers. Â As I meet with clients, hear about wedding plans and session visions, as we capture moments together and I meet your families and share in your celebrations (and the occasional tough moments that life brings), I feel personally connected. Â And in this relationship we have, I think it is important for me to share a little of myself in return. Â This is why I post personal blogs – to invite you into my life as well.
Our Shawano Avenue Christmas this year was one with friends gathering over wine, snacks, and a rockin’ hot cocoa bar.  It was a mix of old and new friends all with exciting news (travel, engagements, and the upcoming arrival of a baby girl).  It was quieter than a Christmas party would normally be because everyone wanted to hear what the other had to say – people meeting and connecting and reconnecting.  It felt so special to have these friends close at hand and it got me thinking about value.
Christmas day with my family has always been fairly low-key; it is reserved for pajamas and chain-watching movies.  This leaves plenty of time over the long weekend for games with family, trips to the coffee shop, and free moments to reflect after a busy fall.  This Christmas, as the day was coming to a close, It’s a Wonderful Life was playing on the television and I spent the full length of the movie working in my idea book and drinking hot cocoa.  It felt good.  And I began thinking about how long it had been since I had worked creatively with my hands.  There are many things that I don’t give myself enough time for – reading, writing, daydreaming – and because they get pushed aside, I sometimes forget their value.  It is easy to fill time (I am the worst at this) with Facebook cruising and Pinterest searches, and somehow it is Monday morning again, or 11:00 at night, or the end of a Netflix series (whichever speaks to you), and we wonder where the time went and what we have to show for it.
If Christmas is a time for reflection and New Years is a time for a fresh start, I am challenging myself and others to *make the time* for what we need – whatever that means for you.
I will be sharing a few of my own resolutions over on Instagram @kaseyandben – feel free to stop over and post a few of your own!
I love it, Kasey. I agree 100% with making time for things that don’t seem to have value. I struggle with the same thing. I feel like sometimes if it’s not saving me time or money, it’s not worth indulging in, but I’ve been re-reading the Little House on the Prairie series over the last week or so and it’s so nice to do something that’s just for fun.
That’s wonderful! It is a beautiful thing to do something you like without feeling the need to explain and defend it.
Kasey,
Your article really hit home for me. Our family has always celebrated Christmas with our presence rather than our presents. This year we gathered together for a family portrait as our gift to each other. I would have loved to have you present had I thought of it! Keep a spot open for us next holiday season!
On a side note: do you by chance remember the name of the test your friend administered to you?
-Brian
What a good way to spend the holiday; thanks for thinking of us for next year. 🙂
I don’t know if the test had a name, it was done in person, and each question was based on what your last answer was, like a psychological exercise. Very cool.