Normal (adj.)

Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

For weeks we’ve been hearing people talk about how we as a country will shift back to “normal” some day. What the “new normal” will look like. But the more we press on, the more I realize I don’t think we can call much “normal” anymore. The world is changing too fast for anything to qualify as usual, typical, or expected.

And so, I’m starting to call every new day the “current normal.” The “current normal” is flexible, it doesn’t hold expectations, it’s open to change, it allows for U-turns and backing up. Sometimes that’s not so easy to accept, but we’re getting better at it!

Our current normal has been working to turn the average into the interesting. Since we can’t do all the things we used to do, we’re finding all sorts of new things to do! Kyra and her friend Lucy came to the studio with me while I worked the other day and made their own art projects on big rolls of paper. What could’ve been a boring day of sitting around at home turned into a day of creativity at the studio!

While I definitely miss how things “used to be” - travel, visiting friends, the girls having fun at summer camps, going to the movies on hot afternoons - this whole experience has been a really good reminder to appreciate all of the things we take for granted. While things are definitely still very strange, we’ve all gotten to spend more time together and enjoy adventures we wouldn’t have otherwise. Instead of traveling to new places, we’re exploring and finding hidden gems around our own backyard. And while escaping the heat at the movies is easy - there are plenty of other places to cool down (like jumping in the river or hanging out in the studio, doing arts and crafts!).

While I don’t know what tomorrow’s “normal” will look like - enjoying each of these summer days as best we can feels like a good place to start and continue growing from. What does your “current normal” look like these days?

Interested in capturing some of your “current normal” life in photos? I’d love to help! Check out our “Real Life Portraits” option or get in touch with me here and we’ll chat about what your photographic vision!