Learning in April

Funky. That’s my word for the month of April.

I had a funky mood, a funky non-creative vibe, funky lack of motivation, etc. etc.

[caption id="attachment_115044" align="aligncenter" width="610"] In Between Time
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

So with the funkiness, I had a lot of learning.

[caption id="attachment_115038" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Taking a Moment
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

I felt the shift in my energy and my vibes last month as I felt like I was transforming, that I just knew this month would be about creating.

I had so many ideas in mind, yet…they just didn’t pan out. Whether because of lack of time or preparation, things just turn out like I planned. When I did try, I had many failed attempts. Quite the paradox.

[caption id="attachment_115037" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Too Late
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_115032" align="aligncenter" width="610"] They Got Away[/caption]

After missing a few self-portraits and then making them up on different days, I slowly started feeling my photography-vibe again. I felt the slight vibration of artistic pleasure. I knew I was ready for more.

[caption id="attachment_115035" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Mujer in Busqueda
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

But out of nowhere, the creativity just stopped.

[caption id="attachment_115047" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Forced to Pause
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

I’d been feeling better about life, but I had no creative juices flowing through me.

[caption id="attachment_115043" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Making Some Effort
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_115034" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Color to Inspire
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

Apparently, Adele goes through the same thing. She says she can only write songs when she’s depressed or enduring a heartbreak, not when she’s in love.

But the thing is, I want to be able to be creative when I’m happy and in love, as well. I don’t want crisis to happen to me to jump start my artistic energy.

[caption id="attachment_115039" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Love is in the [H]air
Photo by Perla Farias[/caption]

All I could do is take it day by day and that is definitely something good for me to learn as I’m graduating in about two weeks.

I can’t go out into the world expecting that every day is going to be successful. As long as I give it my all and stay in the present moment, it’s easier to deal with the fact that not every day is going to be a great day.

Some things in life aren’t really as big as they seem. Life will move on, and we’ll have a lot of good and bad to reflect on.

These are the things that make life worth living. These are the moments that help us grow. I’ve realized that although this was probably one of the most depressing semesters of my college career, it’s also been one of the most reflective.

I’ve grown so much.

And although I don’t feel fully prepared to take on the world, I really do feel like I’m graduating with some wisdom. I know that wherever I end up, I will continue to grow. Even though the growing pains can seem unbearable sometimes, we have to go through them.

We don’t want to be stagnant beings. Stagnant water gets murky and provides no space for new life. We’re living human beings, we have to continue to change and move like a river.

So when it comes to feeling unproductive or lacking creativity, all I can do is do my best, let go of my emotions, and let life take me where it’s bound to and take it all with grace.

Reach the photographer at pfarias@asu.edu or via Twitter @farias_perla

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