Time flies and we are almost at the end of this year. Trying to make an assessment of the past 11 months, I can say that 2022 has been a rough year in a concentrated season of life.
On the family side, it was high-pressure and tiring. My granny passed away on the 4th of January, then Dad was diagnosed with a 4th stage cancer a few weeks later. February & March were frantic months where his pain and our fears echoed his medical appointments. In April I flew back home and had the chance to spend some time with him before he died in his sleep. The next step was supporting my mum to accept her loss and grieve. Last but not least, sorting the bureaucratic stuff was challenging too.
On the professional side, I hit a high level of unhappiness with my job. My rational-thoughtful side made me hesitate about making a career move. Between October & November I took a 8 weeks hiatus from work. I was burnt out: it was both a psychological and a physical fatigue. To bounce back from this burnt-out phase, I needed to take action. I took time for myself: it was not “an empty space”. On the contrary it was a unique opportunity, an enriching time to re-focus, re-balance, re-define myself and my needs. I realised what sucked the energy our of me and what can fire me up, what can inspire me.
Before writing this article I asked 6 people who have known me for ages whether they think I am a patient person. All 6 answered: Yes. I have been waiting for a long time to come to the decision of changing my line of work and to be brave enough to go for a completely different job which I will start in January.
On the photographic side, 2022 was the least productive of the past 13 years. I shot only 8 portrait sessions + 1 wedding. I haven’t done any Marketing at all to self-promote. Also, my blogging was reduced to the bones. Weirdly enough, I am not worried about that. I believe that a stagnant period can be the prelude to a new blooming season.
On the personal side… Some of my fears have been faced and dissolved in the light of rationality. I have felt worried, defeated, weak but also loved, understood, supported and cherished. I have grown and changed. The illness and the loss of my father pushed me to reconsider & redraw my life and to review some of my choices. I am more aware of what I want to achieve, what/who I am looking for in my private and professional life. Generally speaking, I consider myself a brave person, however now I am learning to put the action first. I believe that 2023 will also be another tough year but… I know that I am in the palm of His Hand and that He is leading me through this journey to self-determination and to fulfill significance.
Photo by Martina Biasetti
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 