Category Archives: dear you love me

dear you love me, friends can save you...or commit you, the silver lining, the world as I see it

FIVE YEARS

Dear You,

Today marks five years. Can you believe it?

I knew the date was coming up, since someone recently asked me how long I have been here. The number still shocked me, though.

FIVE. YEARS.

When I realized what today’s date was, I shared the “anniversary” out loud. And then I teared up a little. Ok, maybe a little more than a little.

I came here in 2021 with a vision of a much different life than the one I have now. I had no idea that I would move into my own apartment a little over a year after I arrived here. I had no idea that just a couple months after moving I would be navigating this area and living my life totally on my own.

I could have just left. No one would have faulted me for making that choice. And I would be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind.

So why did I choose to stay? The simple answer is I chose to stay to find my joy. To find my peace.

You better believe I was nervous about staying somewhere without any support system. For a while, my life consisted of going to work and going home. I didn’t do much else. Except cry… a lot.

But then, I started going out. I started exploring. I started participating. I started talking to people. And I found a village. I found people I love dearly, who challenge me, and who help me every day to find the joy and peace I need. Even if they don’t even know their doing it.

So, I’m staying.

For how long, you may ask?

I have no idea. I’m just taking one day at a time. But you can be sure that I will continue to capture images of what speaks to me about this place.

On to the next five years?

(shrug)

Love,

Me

Falls Park, Sioux Falls, SD, May 2022 – ©Stacey Padula Photography
dear you love me, i wouldn't do this if i didn't need the $$$, looking through the lens, the silver lining, the world as I see it, working girl

A new work path, with an interesting perk.

Image

Dear You,

I know you never imagined that I would need to “hustle” the way I do at this point in my life. I mean, who knew that I would one day rely on contract work for income, that wasn’t photography related?

Certainly not me.

This new work has its challenges to navigate, that’s for sure, like irregular shifts, lots of driving, frequent early mornings (and I mean VERY early), and a lack of a routine sleep schedule.

But there are definite pros, too. I am my own boss and no longer have to play corporate politics. I don’t take work home anymore (in multiple ways) and am noticing an improvement in my sleep quality, since I’m not stressing over that work 24/7/365. Plus, I’m getting more physical activity in during each shift, even with all the driving.

And then there are times when I get to see things like this:

Sunrise near Flandreau, SD

You know how I’m a sucker for a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

I hope to work out a way to tag on some more landscape photo work while I’m out and about on these shifts. Keep your fingers crossed.

Love,

Me

P.S. I know the image didn’t align with the body, even though I told it to. Don’t worry, a new theme is already in the works.

dear you love me, the method to my madness, the world as I see it

Dear You, Love Me… A Beginning

Dear You,

I miss you.

That is, I miss the you that used to be so long ago. And as I write that, I admit I’m starting to realize that there was a whole lot more under the surface of that you. So much that you didn’t yet recognize, let alone show. Those underlying influences resulted in some choices that I know you wish you had handled differently. Trust me, we all make mistakes.

There’s no denying that you’ve been through a lot, both good and not so much. I want to remind you, though, that all of it helped to shape the person that you have become. Yes, ALL! You went toe-to-toe against everything Life threw at you and came out on the other side, stronger than you ever knew you could be.

Lately, I see you revisiting memories of the past and starting to claw at what’s buried beneath. And it scares me. I am unsure of what that will mean for us. Still, I have no intention of letting you do this alone. I hope that I can help you find whatever it is you are searching for and to embrace who you see in the mirror today. Because let me tell you, she is amazing!

I don’t know if you’ll see this. I don’t know if you’ll read this. But it’s here for you. As I am here for you. Always.

Love,

Me

P.S. Does anyone even do this anymore?