We are back from our trip to Portland, Maine and I am tired (so tired)!! We had a great time and I will hopefully share some of our adventures with you soon. I have a ton of catching up to do and feel like the last week has been a whirlwind…expect lots of return emails and comments from me this week 🙂
- Accept Feedback and Give Feedback: Constructive criticism is helpful, don’t be afraid to take it to become better. Feedback is how you grow your skills. Don’t be afraid to give honest feedback, either. It does not help anyone to praise things that need improvements…there is a difference between encouragement and just giving praise. There is also a difference between constructive criticism and discouragement…if you are going to criticize make sure you can show a path for improvement.
- Let go of what you think other people MIGHT think about you. This trip was the first time I used the DSLR to take food pictures, even though I had it with me a few other times when we have eaten out. I felt really self-conscious about pulling the camera out and taking photos; even with the i-phone I feel self-conscious. The thing is, 90% of people probably don’t even notice or care…it’s something that I made up in my head to feel weird about. I used it the whole trip and no one even gave me a second look. Sure, someone might think it is weird, but what do I care. Sometimes you just have to get over yourself 😉
- Sometimes a good drink, meal, and dessert does solve things. I read somewhere, that if you are having an argument you should stop and have a sandwich, then see if you still feel the same way once you have been fed…I wish I could remember where I read that.
I want to hear what life lessons you have to share!!
Feedback is critical to any sort of improvement but sometimes it is hard to take. I think it’s all in the delivery of it that determines how you or the recipient will react. And sometimes I will find it hard to be assertive because I want to avoid negative feelings in the workplace, which I definitely need to work on. Though I’m always conscious of treading carefully as some people I work with are just difficult,ya know? It’s a hard one.
Taking photos – I felt exactly the same way as you! And still don’t manage to take photos when eating out, it needs practice! We really do care too much about what people think at times.
Number three – I’m totally in agreement here! When I’m hungry I am cranky and will bite back if Glenn says anything even remotely out of place. Then after it’s like ‘I’m sorry for what I said when I was hungry’ lol. And yes even sleeping on an argument! Any sort of break that takes your mind off the anger and lets you focus on what the actual problem is.
Great lessons Mariah and can’t wait to see the photos from your trip!
that whole ‘don’t go to bed angry’ is complete bull. if we’re arguing about something, i straight up tell him: i’m going to bed. we’ll discuss this in the morning. and then when morning comes around, we’re all sweet as can be because we’re refreshed from sleep and time away from the argument just brings clarity and that clarity is “wtf were we arguing about?” LOL
I used to get so self-conscious about pulling out my camera! I’ve gotten better though. And i like the idea of stopping an argument to have a sandwich although it’s not something I’m sure I could ever accomplish in the heat of the moment! x
I like the idea of pausing an arguement to eat. If nothing else, you get a snack!
Eating in the middle of an argument sounds like pretty solid advice. I like that. You’ll have to tell me how the DSLR was received. I too feel guilty even with the iphone but you’re probably right – most people don’t notice or care! Glad you had a good trip!
I’m the same about pulling out my big camera. Sometimes I’ll pull out my iPhone to take pictures even though I have my DSLR with me just because I don’t feel like being judged…by the people who probably don’t even realize I exist, and if they do, don’t care because hey, I’m just that girl over there taking pictures. Years after high school, it’s still hard to turn off that internal they’re-judging-me-because-I’m-doing-something-different alarm.
I love that idea of eating to sort out things!!! Like not as a crutch but a time to stop an d think!
I feel the same way about taking pictures in public. I have taken pictures of my food and a relative saw them and kind of gave me a hard time about it. But, if it makes you happy and you want to share what you eat then go for it. I agree who cares what other people think. I need an iphone. sigh.
I’m the same with taking pictures in public! I even have a hard time taking them at parties. You are so right, we just have to get over ourselves! Most people don’t care, and the ones who do are not important .;-)
And dessert first? That’s the best way to eat it!
I definitely eat dessert first OFTEN! 🙂
I swear this table of 4 women were laughing at me earlier this week for taking pictures of my food :). I felt totally lame for a minute, then continued on until I got the perfect shot! Welcome back. Xo
Good for you taking pics! I always do. Don’t care, people! I don’t care. LOL