New Year, New Path.
Life is wild, isn’t it? Like, I never could have predicted where I ended up yet here I am and it is quite amazing if I do say so myself. This life isn’t without it’s frustrations, insecurities, or difficulties because that’s what life is ~ but it’s just amazing that we can start out somewhere believing with 100% certainty that THIS will be “the thing”. THIS will be “the plan”. And it is…until it isn’t and you find yourself being bumped onto another path, finding yet another “thing” and another “plan”. I’ve come to realize, that unlike my husband who’s worked for the same company for 17 years that I am not destined for that kind of life. My life is a series of small evolutions and I am meant to follow my whims and pulls to whatever feels right. Collecting skills, tools, resources, people, and fun clothes along the way that I get to share with all of you. And at this particular new year, I find myself on a new path, excited to share what I’ve learned over the past decade.
Since releasing my studio in 2022 I wasn’t sure what the outcome was going to be, but to be honest, I thought it would be a bit easier than it was. I had no idea just how tightly I had wound my identity as a “photographer” to my self worth and in stepping away from my role as a photographer (in the traditional sense) I experienced a massive identity crisis. I even remember, during one of my coachings with Camille, her saying “Who are you without these identities?” and me being uncertain how to proceed. Because up until that point, I had followed the script handed down to me with every identity I took on…but no one had taught me how to WRITE a script.
So, I spent the last few years learning how to become the script writer for MY life. This came with a lot of unknowns, a lot of trial and error and a lot of fear around how other people would perceive my actions and non-actions. I had to dismantle A LOT of the old identities and think long and hard about developing myself to not rely on identities to move forward. This meant showing up to networking events and introducing myself as “Teri”. Not Teri the photographer, writer, and speaker. In fact, I kind of approached it like Ken from the Barbie movie - “I’m Teri and I do XYZ". NOT I AM. Over the course of these years, I’ve learned some new skills, honed some old ones, and added new tools to the roster to help others out going through their own transition.
I sometimes stop and wonder why, as a soul, I was born in this era, at this time, with these skill sets and I truly believe that I am part of the population that is here to help birth a new way of thinking, being, and feeling. This means that the way I move forward will look weird to most, but not to those who are right behind me. I believe that the future includes people who are much less attached to their productivity & professions and more interested in who they are as people. I asked my husband the other day “What if we are part of the generation that creates a new part of the brain because of our technology” - because at some point in our evolution, someone had to be the first person with a pre-frontal cortex. Maybe I am part of the evolution that is helping to progress the human brain’s capacity for critical thinking, curiosity, and self acceptance. And while you might think “But Teri, you aren’t having any kids so you can’t impact evolution!” Oh really? Tell that to the countless folks who have already had their brain altered because of a photoshoot, retreat, workshop or conversation with me. Most of them have kids and I know the skills and resources I teach will trickle down. Never forget your impact is greater than you think.
As a result of this detachment from my old identities, I’ve decided to really think about what I would do in this world if I could do anything and that would be to teach, to write, and to be with people in small, impactful communities through retreats, events or workshops. The vision I’ve always held is that of a wood witch who is sitting at her table serving tea when you need it the most. With the education, experiences, and conversations we shift your inner world and help you move along the trajectory of your life. For most of us, there will come a point when we need a guide, mentor, or teacher to help us get to the next stage. For me, I had my coach, my mom, my mentor Sue, and the friends that who know me enough to help me see different perspectives - they all played a part in helping me see the things I could not see because it was like being in a shaken up snowglobe, but instead of snow it was all of my fears and unresolved trauma.
So, with that, I am happy to share my new path - one that takes me down the route of education, coaching, retreats and writing to help guide through their next evolution of self. Whether that is helping them go from hating themselves to accepting themselves, from burntout and busy to slow and steady, or from their current level of success to their next level of success - I am there for it all as a sounding board, guiding light, and figure in the mist to help them take action and move forward. While this work requires a bit of ego death, some hard truths, and emotional moments it is worth it to help you feel more liberated in your becoming and help you truly get after what it is you desire without the limiting beliefs cluttering it up.
