The study of being an introvert versus an extrovert (and everything in between) absolutely fascinates me. I suppose it’s mostly because for years growing up I would feel guilty that I couldn’t keep up with my extroverted friends. That I was always tired trying to “go go go” like they did. It was so frustrating.

Then somewhere along the way, I read an article about the signs that you’re an introvert. And I was glued to the screen because I felt like this person was like, let’s write an article about Tiffany. 

“YES!! I have to RECHARGE at home!”

“YES!! Hearing my phone ring makes me jump out of my skin!”

“YES!! That kind of social situation drains my energy so quickly!!”

“YES!! Small talk makes me want to poke my eyes out! Give me the real conversations about what matters!!”

There was a lot of “YES!!” as I read it that first time, and knew that I needed not take any online quiz to solidify that I was indeed an introvert. Check, check, check.

I left home 11 days ago. I would be driving to Hartford, flying out to Charleston the next morning, then back to Connecticut for a stretch of 5 portrait sessions in 3 days. And truthfully, I was exhausted before I had even left. And it wasn’t just a kind of tired that a good night’s sleep or two would remedy. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted too.

Running a business is not just physically exhausting- but when you are the only one who is responsible for keeping it afloat- for the marketing, the ordering, the communicating, the product creating, the bill paying…the exhaustion from all of THAT can creep up on you.

I shared a picture of a yummy almond milk latte I picked up at this charming little coffee shop just off Sullivan’s Island that my step-sister took me the morning before I flew home. Sharing about the rest of my upcoming travel in the caption, someone responded, “Well, aren’t you just living the life!”

And there was so much truth to her statement. Never in a million years did I think I would be invited to Charleston to attend a creative entrepreneur conference, that I would then be speaking at the following Spring. When I started taking family pictures for friends, never on my horizon did I envision traveling the country to do the same for others. So yes, in so many ways, this IS incredible and I definitely do not take a moment of it for granted.

But I made sure to immediately respond to her comment to remember that what I share on social media is the highlight reel. Because what she didn’t see, was that on the way to Charleston, the flight next to my gate was boarding for Portland Maine, and I had to choke back unexpected tears because I was so tired and just wanted to be home. Sometimes, in the midst of a job I love so so much, and opportunities that blow my mind, that’s just the real life part of it.

As I pack the car up this morning, with a hard drive jam packed with images from beautiful family and newborn portrait sessions this past week, from all over Connecticut, Charleston, and even New York- I am so grateful. What a blessing it is to document mamas loving on their babies no matter their age, and no matter where they live. As I start this Thanksgiving week, I do truly give thanks for my business and the art it lets me create on a near daily basis. It is so fulfilling and meaningful to me.

But after another 11 days away from home,  I am so incredibly thrilled to be photographing my next few newborn portrait sessions locally in Maine! A benefit of traveling and spending so much time in the car and in flight, especially following a conference like Creative at Heart, is that it provides me with the empty space to think creatively, and I am so excited to release some new things here for photographers in the next coming months! Eek, Stay tuned!

For more information on the Creative at Heart Conference in Annapolis that I will be speaking at, be sure to click HERE!

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