Here we are again! My yearly post for my word of the year! For 2019 I picked the word “Resilience” (You can click the link to read more on that blog post). And boy was 2019 a year of Resilience! Having that word really did make my 2019 one of my favorite years, because it was so much about persistence, staying encouraged, and working really hard no matter what was going on. Here are some of my favorite moments from 2019.

I traveled with some of my closest friends
Reinspired by the lighting in Egypt
I photographed over 200 sessions (that is the most I’ve photographed!)
Continued working on commercial projects
Worked on more video projects this year
Photographed the Art issue for InRegister Magazine
Got into Rock Climbing
Made strong friendships
Started a Podcast
Had an influx of people pick me as their photographer during their travels to New Orleans
Learned what being “Feminine” meant to me
Focused more on my self-care
I cut all my hair off!
Celebrated Halloween + New Years (I’m usually working those holidays!)

Okay – so here is my word of the year. Honestly, I had a hard time picking it because I have this “High expectation” for this year. Like most people do with it being “2020” I just have a feeling that this is going to be one of the best years, and I wanted a word to really inspire and encourage me through it.

I was trying so hard to be “profound” and to find a word that worked with “honing in on my craft” Because I really wanted to challenge myself on those regards, and when I opened up my iPad to start doodling words for this post, I came across and OLD drawing I did of the word “PLAY” across my violin. Honestly, I’ve never liked this drawing…but today I saw it in a new light and knew that this would be my word for this year!

Play (/plā/)

I came across a quote that said, “Pay attention to who you are when you feel your best”. And for me that is usually when I’m playing. It could be playing with my friends and family (“playing” is what I call “hanging-out”), but most importantly it reminds me of playing music or a performance, which has more of a structure to it. When you hear that you are playing a part in a performance. (Did I just add structure to the word play…of course, I did!)

This year I am hoping to play creatively in my art, and do more personal projects and not just focus on commission based work, because that will just make my eye that much better for my commercial work.

I am hoping to not take my “Instagram” So seriously, and add more posts that are because I think it’s fun and meaningful, and not care so much about how it looks on my feed.

I am hoping to play music and to perform more, this one seems like the more challenging piece of the puzzle. But I’m usually feeling my best when I’m dancing or jamming with no rhyme or reason.

So yeah there goes my word for 2020! I hope you are inspired to add elements of play in your life this year, even if it isn’t your word.

Personal 2020 Word of the Year

Play (/plā/)