2021 was a tough year for everyone. It's hard to believe that we've been living with covid for nearly 2 years. For Photography by Kate it's been a year with it's challenges and with it's highlights.
There were 3 main highlights for the year. The first being that I begun to see my products wholesale. It's been a real time of growth for me as it really required that I get out of my introvert comfort zone. It's been wonderful to be able to connect with some great Adelaide businesses and hopefully you'll see Photography by Kate products in retailers soon.
The second highlight was a 30 day macro challenge that I completed in September. With having 2 little ones running around and doing a lot of business items, I realised that it had been a long time since I'd picked up my camera to take nature photographs. Macro photographs are easy to take around the home so it was accomplishable to take a photograph every day. I had never done a photo challenge before so was quite proud of myself for sticking to it and completing all of the 30 days.
The final highlight was yet another photo challenge. From not having done a photo challenge at all, I then did 2 within a span of 4 months. Christmas is often a time where we get so distracted by the busyness of the season that we forget the reason for the season. I created a photo challenged based on Bible verses that talked about the coming of Christ. It was a chance to expand my creativity as not all of the topics were nature based. Yes, I did use some photographs that I'd taken earlier but having a verse connected to the photograph was very refreshing.
On the personal front, Sam started ELC in January and this allowed me slightly more free time. I could now get some work done while Chloe napped on the days he was at ELC. As it was Sam's first time in a childcare setting it did mean that there was a lot of sickness. There were times when all four of us were sick which was very unpleasant. Often this sickness hung around too so there was lots of ELC missed and time spent at home. Being unwell and having unwell children doesn't allow much time for getting things done, let alone running a business.
The other thing that presented a lot of challenges was that Chloe got on the move, first crawling then climbing and then walking. Yes, she climbed before she could walk. It's wonderful to see her developing but she keeps us on our toes. The time when I could quickly get something done and come back to Chloe being the same place has long gone.
It's easy to look back on the year and see what didn't get done instead of the things that were. I was hoping for more business growth but instead I think there was more personal growth.
2022 has already started with doing things differently. I have sat down and really planned what I want to accomplish for this year. No resolutions per se this year but there are things that I will do differently and improve on.
We live in unprecedented times and I know this is taking its toll. I'm praying that 2022 is a much better year for everyone. I'm praying that we can find peace and light amongst the darkness. I'm praying that we remember the important things and valuing them.
What are your plans for 2022? If it is just to survive another year (especially one with covid) then that is a great goal too.