Redefining Progress: Embracing Life’s New Rhythms
Over the past two years, especially after the pandemic, I’ve realized that my passion for chasing career goals isn’t as strong as it used to be. I no longer feel the same drive to build teams or launch new projects. Even when I get inquiries or opportunities for wedding photography, I don’t feel compelled to pursue them. Instead, I’ve shifted my focus to life itself—traveling, for example. In these two years, I’ve spent a significant amount of time and money exploring the world, experiencing different cultures and landscapes. I see this not as an expense, but as an investment in myself. I’ve also made more time to be with my family whenever I can.
In the past, I used to care deeply about how much I earned every month, how high I could climb in my career, or whether my work stood out compared to others. I even used to keep an eye on social media metrics, like how many “likes” a post received. But now, these concerns have gradually faded away. I don’t see this as “falling behind,” but rather as entering a different phase in life—one where I see things differently and approach them in new ways.
Over these two years, I’ve stepped away from wedding photography, event shoots, and personal portrait work. Instead, I’ve focused on creating stock photography—capturing the small moments of life and uploading them to platforms for sale. My life has slowed down significantly, but I’ve come to appreciate and savor the present much more than before.
Someone once told me, “You don’t seem to have made much progress in the past few years.” At first, that comment caught me off guard. But after thinking about it, I realized their definition of “progress” might be different from mine. My goals and pursuits have changed. I’m no longer striving for relentless career advancement but am instead prioritizing the quality of life and the sense of fulfillment it brings.
That said, I do sometimes feel like my drive has diminished, and I occasionally worry if something is wrong with me. I’ve also noticed that I lack clear plans or goals for the future. But I don’t see this as a bad thing—it’s more like a period of adjustment in how I live my life. Everyone needs to find their rhythm, and maybe I’m in the midst of recalibrating mine. As for where I’ll go next, I trust the journey will eventually lead me to the answer.
Even my social life has changed. I’ve cut down on unnecessary gatherings and now only meet people when it feels meaningful to me. I want to live more authentically and focus on what truly matters.
