Three Lessons 2016 Taught Me About Life

Mistakes are learning opportunities.

I used to freak out when my photos didn’t turn out exactly how I envisioned them. If they weren’t perfectly edited, manipulated, or aligned with the impossible standards I had set for myself, I would spiral. I would beat myself up for every perceived flaw, every tiny imperfection. It haunted me.

I wanted my work to be perfect—to be great—even though I was still learning. I was obsessed with mastering everything immediately, without giving myself the grace to grow. But in time, I realized the truth: I was just being impatient. I was trying to fulfill an unrealistic goal, expecting expertise without embracing the journey.

So, I decided to rewrite the narrative.

I wrote a list of affirmations for myself—reminders to defeat burnout, to embrace imperfection, and to allow myself to grow at my own pace.

It’s okay to make mistakes.
It’s okay to not be great at something right away.
Every mistake teaches me something new—about my craft and about myself.
Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the process.
Growth happens in the space between imperfection and persistence.

Photography, like life, is about evolution, not perfection. Mistakes aren’t signs of failure—they are proof that I’m learning, expanding, and refining my skills. Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

And now? I create with freedom—knowing that every shot, every edit, every moment is a step forward.

Time is indeed a gift.

I had to lose my grandmother and grandaunt—two beautiful souls—to truly understand the weight of time.

Time isn’t something we can touch or see, yet it is one of the most precious gifts we are given. I used to believe that once-in-a-lifetime moments were the big milestones—the dream job, the grand adventure, the ultimate goal. But I was wrong.

I’ve come to realize that time itself is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Every second, every minute, every hour—once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. No amount of longing, regret, or nostalgia can bring it back. That’s when memories step in. Memories are the echoes of what once was—stories to be remembered, cherished, or forgotten. But no matter how vivid, they remain in the past. The only thing we truly have is the present.

So, I ask you:
What does it truly mean to live in the moment?
Are you fully here, or are you caught up in the past?

It’s okay to reminisce. It’s okay to reflect. But to live in the past is to be trapped in time—held back from what you’re meant to do, who you’re meant to become.

Time doesn’t pause. Life doesn’t wait.

So, make the most of what you have, right here, right now. Accept. Move forward. Be present. Because in the end, the most valuable thing you will ever own… is the moment you are living in.

Patience is key.

Patience is a virtue, but more than that, it is a form of self-mastery—a discipline, a quiet strength that shapes the way we move through life.

It’s easy to say, "Be patient," but true patience is something deeper. It’s not just about waiting—it’s about how you wait. It’s about trusting the timing of your life, finding peace in the process, and allowing growth to unfold naturally.

Everyone can have patience, but not everyone is willing to master it.

Because mastery takes effort. It requires self-awareness, restraint, and faith. It asks you to surrender control, to understand that rushing won’t make things happen faster and that the best things in life come to those who are present enough to receive them at the right time.

Patience isn’t just a skill—it’s a power. And those who master it? They move through life with grace, wisdom, and unshakable confidence.