365 Project: Day 128

Today I let go...I just let it all go. The frustration, the mental block, the obsessing...I let it go. I spent the afternoon with myself at the park. I was there for hours. I'm not sure people know I do this. The park is one of those places that I sneak away to when I need to think and just be alone for awhile. I love the park. I love grass and trees and being outside. I spent hours in the shade of a big old tree, laying in the grass listening to my iPod and clearing my head. I napped for almost an hour and a half. Apparently I have no problem sleeping in public like a bum. I opened my eyes to a view of the canopy above me swaying in the breeze. I awoke feeling rested, recharged, and peaceful. 

There is something about laying on the grass that quiets my mind. The calmness that my body feels when I'm laying against the earth is hard to explain. The smell of the grass and the dirt, the coolness of it against my skin is comforting and relaxing. I ran my hands through the blades of grass along side of me, letting them tickle my palms and tangle in my fingers. I laid there for a long time and stared up into the trees stretching over me. I watched the sunlight flicker through the leaves as they twirled. These are the moments that ease my mind. I took a deep breath, inhaling the damp earthy smell and just like that...I let it all go.

Free Shipping

Looking for a unique piece of art for that newly redecorated room, or a gift for someone special? Be sure to stop by my Etsy shop.  I'm offering free shipping today only!

*All shipping charges are refunded through Paypal*

Newsletter Giveaway

and the winner of my first Newsletter Giveaway is.......Courtney! She's the lucky winner of a Summer Inspired Surprise Pack from Sara Norris Photography!

8x8 "Shade" print with 11x14 matting 

Just a note-book set: "Seaside Series"

Courtney will also receive a special gift: a new set of greeting cards featuring images from Sara Norris Photography. These won't even be available until next month!

Courtney was chosen at random just by signing up for my newsletter. If you want to be included in the drawing for July's giveaway, be sure to sign up for my newsletter on my blog or visit my website.

365 Project: Day 127

Oh inspiration....where are you? An old friend of mine keeps telling me to look up. I'm not sure what this means, or why he keeps telling me to do so. I tried it. FYI Paul, it didn't work.

I have so many ideas...that's not really the issue. The problem is actually putting them into action. Its the process of creating that is, well, for the lack of a better word...its stuck. My creativity, which is usually flowing like a river, has slowed to an annoying drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet. 

Its such a strange feeling. Creating isn't an essential human need like water or food. I will technically live without it, but it is essential to my sanity. I find it fascinating that when I think of what this feels like to me, I think of physical pain. I feel like the person I am inside of this body is being deprived of something I need. Its become this torturous process for me. Its stifling. I feel like I'm gasping for a breath of air that just isn't enough to sustain me. 

I'm working on it though. I'm going through the motions. Its so frustrating to have all of this inside of me and not be able to do anything about it. I'm creatively paralyzed. I have all these ideas and goals but I just can't get them out of my head and into reality. Forcing it only makes it worse. I'm only getting more and more frustrated. I need to be patient and wait for it all to come naturally. Once I stop obsessing, I know everything will come so much easier. The problem is....I'm not a patient person.

365 Project: Day 126

I find myself standing like this when I'm really thinking about something. I stretch my arms up, I pull my hair away from my face, I take a deep breath and I rest my hands on my head. You can even see me doing this in Day 31's picture. I've been catching myself standing like this and looking out the window a lot lately. Its interesting the things you notice yourself doing when you're just being yourself. 

I look out the window or I stand on the porch and I just stare. Not at anything in particular...just into the distance. I don't know what is going on with me lately. I'm tired, I'm on edge, I'm unmotivated, I'm frustrated, I can't focus on one thing for more than five minutes at a time. I'm bored. I feel like I've hit a wall on so many levels. Creatively, personally, mentally. I think the inevitable has happened and I have burned myself out. I'm right on schedule though. I shouldn't be surprised. Its been about one year in the same place and I have that anxious feeling growing in the pit of my stomach. I should have expected it.

I've had this stagnant feeling many times before. Something is missing. I'm impatient for a change. I feel myself being pulled away from this place, from my routine, from my life. It doesn't seem like I'm moving in the right direction. Or any direction at all. This nervous energy is building inside of me. Its like I'm about to burst and go flying in 500 directions at once just for the sake of progress. I'm trying to hold it in, but I am constantly asking myself, "What am I doing? What's the next step?" It consumes me.

I want to be able to look out the window and for once be content. I just want to be satisfied. But I don't think I'm capable of that. I can't imagine a point in my life that it will ever happen. I will only be satisfied in a state of constant motion. I am a restless soul. *sigh*

¡Revíva!

I finally got a chance to post images from the ¡Revíva! show on May 21st. This band gets batter every time I see them. They are a group of awesome, talented guys and I love going to their shows. I always have such a blast!

Check out all of the images on my Facebook Fan Page. 

There's No Place Like Home

When someone orders a print from me I'm always thrilled. I pack each print up with love and send it off to find its new home. That little piece of me and my world is going to become part of someone else's life. Whether it be a gift for their loved one, or a present they bought for themselves...my print becomes a part of their home and their world.

There is nothing I love more than when its new owner sends me pictures of where my print has ended up. When Irene from Design StILes send me an email today I was so thrilled! She bought my "Once Upon a Time" print. Now I can see where it has found its new home.

Irene wrote a blog post today and included this picture. It looks amazing all frames up on her wall. Take a look at her blog post here.

Do you guys have pictures of where you've displayed my prints? I would LOVE to see them!
Thank you Irene...you made my day!

365 Project: Day 125

I'm feeling a little directionless lately. I need a vacation for sure. Its time to recharge. I need to go somewhere and clear my head, gain a little perspective and re-prioritize. I'm finding myself caught up in the stupid little things and I'm losing sight of what is important to me. 

My head feels cloudy. It happens from time to time. I think that's part of why I move around so often. The process of discovering a new place rejuvenates me mentally. It sparks my creativity and reminds me just how big, incredible and surprising this world is.

Just the idea that summer is here is starting to bring me back to life. I wilt in winter. I hibernate. When the warm weather returns I feel myself getting excited for every single day. Here's to a beautiful, amazing and inspiring summer.

365 Project: Day 124

There are so many things about people and life and this world that I don't understand. I try so hard. 

Some days it just exhausts me. 

Stuck on You Magnets - Boardwalk Set from Sara Norris Photography

Spruce up your kitchen or office with a Stuck on You Magnet from Sara Norris Photography! I love this "Boardwalk" series. These would be perfect in your office to hang pictures of loved ones or an important memo.

www.saranorris.etsy.com

The Sara Norris Photography Newsletter

My very first newsletter went out this morning! I have already gotten such a great response from everyone. I'm so excited to be sharing the latest news from Sara Norris Photography with my fans every month. I've loved getting to know you all over the past couple of years. Its been so fulfilling for me to share my work and my life with you. I really want to create an interactive community with my fans where we can all inspire each other. You guys are all so sweet, supportive and overall just amazing! You inspire me every day!

When you sign up for my newsletter, you'll be the first to know about upcoming sales and discounts, new prints and gifts available in my Etsy shop, and each newsletter includes a monthly giveaway exclusively for subscribers! If you haven't signed up yet, make sure you don't miss out on July's edition. You can join my mailing list by filling out the form on the top right side of my blog or on my website.