The “Old Photo” Effect

Personal

Have you ever seen an old picture of yourself and thought—WOW, so much has changed?

(P.S. I talk about this on a recent episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast —very personal and very real!)

Not just in your hair (can’t believe I was bleach blonde for years on end, my poor HAIR!) and not just in your clothes (gaucho pants and Aeropostale polos, anyone?).

I’m talking about the deep stuff—like the way you handle adversity, your confidence, your outlook on life.

I recently found this photo of me from my bridal shower in 2016 (ten years ago!!) and it got me thinking about now vs then.

Then:

  • I took people pleasing to the extreme.
  • I was a serial apologizer.
  • I felt debilitating imposter syndrome in my business.
  • I drove myself crazy making the simplest decisions (like what to order at a restaurant, haha).
  • I put so much focus on my own personal comforts and my own world.

…and then I had kids.

A lot of people think that becoming a parent is something that has to take away from life (sleep, time to yourself, freedom). New parents (especially those who run their own businesses like we do) think that their new identity and life stage is a problem to be solved—something that will negatively impact their business.

But what about all the ways it’s changed us—both as people and as business owners?

Here’s what my “Now” looks like:

  • I show up to my life and business with kindness and empathy, but I don’t allow other people’s priorities to become my emergencies.
  • I only use the words “I’m sorry” when I truly have something to apologize for. (A fav phrase I use in my business often is “thank you for your patience” when I want to acknowledge the grace someone has given, but where an apology isn’t needed).
  • I have a grounded confidence in where my expertise starts, and a healthy ego-check of where it ends (and that’s where my talented team picks up the slack!)
  • I’m a swift decision maker (I don’t have time to dilly dally!)
  • My own comfort is so much less of a priority (within reason—take care of yourself, folks!), and that’s been so freeing and has helped me through two pregnancies and several sleep regressions

Tl;dr—becoming a mom has made me a better business owner, wife, friend, and overall human being.

Next time? How being a business owner has made me a better mom—because it has!!

Has anyone else looked at an old photo and felt that WOW moment too? Hit reply and let’s have a good old-fashioned email exchange!

“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Listen to the podcast episode below!