“I’m doing the best that I can”.

Last fall caught me off guard. I knew it was going to be a busy time for photography. I knew that my boys’ soccer schedule was going to be intense. I had cleared some things out of my schedule prior to make space. I also did a talk the month before at a wellness event called “Calm Among The Chaos”, offering tools and concepts to busy women about how to stay grounded during times of stress and transition. And I was intentional about living into those tools. And yet…

…

…

In spite of doing all the “right things”, I still had more on my plate than I could chew on. I still had many weeks last fall where I felt like all I was doing was digging, but making no progress in getting out of what felt like a hole of fatigue, nervous system overdrive, and a racing mind.

…

…

Sometimes life is just like this. Sometimes it is just a series of unavoidable moments where we just don’t have it dialed in. We just literally cannot feel a sense of control or stability. Sure, It doesn’t feel good. But like it or not, it is part of modern life. The trick is in just making sure that it is a weather pattern, not the overall climate.

…

…

And also, just reminding ourselves that “I’m doing the best that I can”.

Which is entirely different from “I am doing my best”. And that is okay.

…

…

Gina Graham is a Licensed Clinical Therapist and Photographer in the suburbs of Chicago. When not photographing girls and women in an empowered way through emotive portraits, or in her Clinical Therapy practice supporting the growth and healing of girls and women in our culture, you can find Gina hanging out at the gym, walking her dog, or planning a trip.