Created to Create II // State of Kate

"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude."

Fredrich Nietzsche

I read this quote today and it hit me - my last post about creating was only slightly written out of a heart and mind of gratitude. Like, I am very grateful for the truths that I mentioned I'm doing my best to hold onto and claim daily. But half of me feels like if I was really grateful for them - if I really believed them - my life and business would look and function a lot differently.

You know what was really at the heart and mind of my last post on creating? Fear. Fear of people. Fear of failure. Fear of missing out. Creating is a very vulnerable activity. But it seems as though instead of being grateful for the opportunity, materials and the very act of creating - I am usually to afraid of what will become of my creation.

But this quote, it brings me back to the point of why we create, make, paint or construct art in the first place - because we are joyful and grateful. I believe thankfulness is one of the biggest motivators. It can drive us to do better, work harder and feel stronger - because we realize what we have and who we are because of what we've been given.

Now I know sometimes, many times, beautiful things are born out of not very beautiful circumstances. But I feel that the pieces created in response to hard times, show the grateful heart that down deep is rising up to overcome - to notice there is something to be grateful for, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.

Now wouldn't you believe that one of the greatest lessons God taught me in 2013 was that 'Thankfulness can conquer so much fear!'. Hard to believe that I came to this understanding last Fall - literally  one year ago. At that time in my life, I was believing these words with great hope for even more things I would soon have to be grateful for - to leave my corporate job, to go full-time with my photography, to get to work from my home ... Here I am people, living a life where all those hopes have come true. Yet, I struggle with gratitude and fear!?

Fear is very selfish; it is deciding to cower, instead of boldly choosing to overcome. You are scared. You then allow whatever you're afraid of to have more control over your life than your own self.

Gratitude is very humbling; it recognizes the gifts given and revels in the fact that you are the recipient. You are special. You then allow whatever you've been given to have more of an impact on your life than your own fear.

Morning Routine // Lifestyle

If you're like me, routine doesn't come as easy you'd like. My husband is pretty great when it comes to discipline. Whereas I'm more spontaneous. The 'maybe I coulds' and the 'maybe I wonts' take over and sometimes, well, most times, it is just hard for me to be as consistent as I'd like. I'm trying to develop better habits and usually it is great if you have a tool of some kind to get ya goin. SO after scouring Pinterest for a great 'to do list printable' I found it would be best just to make my own. This way I can customize the boxes and lists and 'to dos' just the way I need it.

Let me tell you, this took me all of 20 minutes and now, I have a great way to start each day. This helps me take an inventory of what's most important. I also use Google Calendar to make sure I keep my appointments, shoots and travel dates. Google Calendar is great because it allowed me to share my personal and work calendars with my husband and vice versa. This has eliminated lots of questions in our marriage, which usually ended up being annoying and even confusing. Now, we know what each other has scheduled and can spend more time talking about more important stuff, instead of always planning and questioning what's going on.

I made my 'Everyday To Do' in Microsoft Word. Using text boxes and little check mark icons I created this document. I thought through my day and my priorities - what do I want to MAKE SURE I accomplish - those things made the checklist cut. There are lots of really pretty printables with icons, photos and graphics out there, but because I didn't want to go broke on ink, I thought I'd start simple. That's why I stuck with black and white. But you can customize yours however you want!

Maybe you're way ahead of me and have been doing this forever, or maybe this has encouraged you to make you're own. I thought I'd make my own checklist creation available for you. However, I made it so you can customize your morning and evening routine. So below is a link where you can download my version of the 'To Do' list.

Enjoy and Happy checklisting to you!

To view/download my personal 'Everyday To Do' click below:

Everyday To Do - Kate's Version

To view/download an 'Everyday To Do' list you can customize click below:

Everyday To Do for You

Once you get to these webpages, click on the button 'Share' below the document and then you will see the option to 'Download'.

Created to Create // State of Kate

Everyone is creative. We truly all were created to create. However, with that creativity comes responsibility. Responsibility to do your part - to give and give more and try harder and go beyond what you thought you were capable of. Now there is no one person checking in on you to see what you've made or come up with. But in this social media age, really in most any of the ages, there is always someone who made something better or greater or who achieved more.

I say all this because lately I've been feeling PRESSURE - pressure to perform, to have enough work, to make enough money, to be better, to improve more and on and on. I believe there is good pressure and bad pressure. Good pressure comes from within, from your passion to create. This pressure drives you in a positive way. Your concern is for the craft, the clients or the enjoyment. But bad pressure ... ew; bad pressure is a nagging feeling. It stunts growth and traps you in your own little dark hole of worries and fears and what ifs and 'I'm not good enoughs".

Do you ever step back and wonder, "What am I doing?! and Why the heck am I doing this?" (Please catch the tone here - there is an anxiousness about it. This isn't a healthy positive self evaluation. It is a freak out moment.) I have been doing this a lot. If I'm honest with myself, it is stemming from that evil devil of comparison and joy stealing fear of what others think. 

As creatives, we work and mold and bend and make art - it is very personal. Then we put ourselves out there, saying, "Here is the product of not only my hard work, but even more, my heart work." Then we wait - for approval, for a purchase, for a client, for likes, for a buyer. This process makes it very hard to find a balance between appreciating ourselves and what we've created and being approved or hired. Basically, it is hard to make money and have the correct creative mindset.

I feel very strongly, that God gives us the opportunities we are each, as individuals, supposed to have. So my creative endeavors will always be different from those of others, even in my same industry. However, when you see your industry peers, movin and shakin and money makin, you can easily start down that slippery slope of negative thinking. I am getting very personal here and it is a little, quite honestly, scary.

Truth is the only thing that keeps me grounded. These truths:

God made me special and unique from anyone else.

God has given me specific talents.

God will give me just the right opportunities for me to use those talents.

God loves me for who I am, not what I do.

The same is true for everyone else. Everyone.

So, I'm hoping and striving for a more truth-filled everyday; every work day. One that grounds me, motivates me, excites me and drives me to continue on in my own creative efforts. No matter where you are or what you do -  you are being creative. May you allow the good pressure to produce your best work.

Expectations vs. Reality

Just recently I was given the wonderful opportunity to speak to a wonderful bunch of women. I was asked to speak on using your gifts and finding your niche. I gave these ladies lots of questions to ask themselves so as to guide them toward careers, hobbies, interests, responsibilities and ministries fit just for each one of them. But it is one thing to figure out which direction to head and what projects to take on, it is another to actually imagine, plan and tackle those tasks. One of the first things to consider while you're in the planning stages of any new pursuit are your expectations.

Do your expectations make sense with your reality?

I have found a good way to evaluate your expectations is to measure them up against these parameters: your time, your abilities, your money, your passion and your season. Lysa Terkuerst taught me this and has a whole chapter dedicated to realistic expectations in her new book, The Best Yes.

The most practical and wise advice I can give you is to focus on the truth. No matter what you're dealing with - false expectations, overwhelming life circumstances, anxiety, worry, whatever ... when you take a deep breath and tell yourself the truth, you realize it will all be ok. For instance, if you become fearful of failure - you must realize failure is a possibility, but then remember your track record (even if it is not great), but also, the God whose grace is sufficient for all things, especially in your weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10) who has brought you to where you are now. His mercies are new every morning, He is faithful and He is there whether you succeed or fail. He knows what has already happened and will happen in the future. No matter the outcome, the best part about all of this is that He loves you no matter what.

Weekend Wear // Style File

This weekend is the last of the Summer and I'm quite excited about my plans. The transition from Fall to Summer is one of my absolute favorites, especially when it comes to style. I'm sure no other girl on the planet does this (I'm not serious), but I'm usually standing in my closet staring at my clothes for like a good half hour ... before I even start to decide what I will actually wear. So I decided to go ahead and prep my weekend wardrobe and who knows? maybe it will even inspire what you will put on for your own weekend plans!

Tonight my husband and I are going to enjoy food at the lovely Society Hill Society restaurant in Philadelphia. It is restaurant week and whenever there is a good deal (especially on food) I'm there! This place isn't too fancy, but it is 'date night' so I want to dress up a little and of course, still be comfortable. Comfort is one of my style staples! So here is my Fall/Summer date night outfit:

Shoes: Target  T-shirt: Gap  Blazer: H&M  Jeans: Target  Necklace: F21  Purse: from my sis-in-law

Speaking of my sister in law, we are going to garage sale in the morning. Since it is quite cool in the mornings now I like to layer a bit. Ahhh layering - another favorite style staple. With coffee in hand we will peruse and barter and hopefully, walk away with some fun finds - all the while I'll be wearing this:

Jean Shorts: Target  Purse: Garage Sale  T-Shirt: F21  Sweatshirt: Walk in Love  Sunglasses: Target

Saturday afternoon I'm excited for my first trip to Longwood Gardens! I found a living social deal and was so pumped because I've been wanting to visit, what I've heard is SUCH a beautiful place, for quite some time now! I'll be taking my camera and I'm so looking forward to walking amongst the pretty flowers with my man. Sounds like my kind of relaxing afternoon, enjoying God's beautiful creation. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm later in the day and like I said, it is still Summer, so I'm going to pull out a sundress for the occasion, along with these other pretties:

Scarf: Urban Outfitters  Dress: Target  Glasses: Warby Parker  Hat: F21  Shoes: Target

Finally, Sunday ... Sunday Funday. First, on the agenda - Church! Yay! I'm pretty sure the rest of the day will entail some relaxing, maybe a bonfire out back in the evening ... but mostly relaxing. Yesssss! Would you believe I got this skirt for free? Thank you Kohl's $10 off coupon and super clearance! So once again, sticking with my rule of comfort I'm gonna keep it simple and wear this:

Skirt: Kohl's  Shoes: GoJane.com  T-Shirt: Gap  Jean Shirt: Marshalls  Headband: F21

Just to keep things real ... here is a look at my attempt to my make clothes look pretty haha! I had a curious little friend join me ;) He was probably like 'Mom, why are your clothes on the floor?!' OK, yes my husband and I refer to ourselves as mommy and daddy in relation to our puppy. Also, yes isn't it ridiculous the things we do to get a 'good' photo haha!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend - no matter what you wear or where you go! Yay! The weekend is here ... well, almost!

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