February 1, what happened to January?

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Gigi in Life Style 2 Comments

gigi

January is in the past! We so eagerly celebrated and welcomed the New Year and now it is just a memory. Some of us have already fallen off the new commitments we made and that is okay. Just start again today.

Savoir each day to the fullest. Last week my neighbor was on his evening walk with his dogs and he had a massive heart attack and died on the sidewalk. It was disturbing to say the least, to see a life depart so suddenly, I could not help but to wonder what was his day like prior to his last walk…was it a happy day?

So while January 2017 is gone, lets embrace the coming months and strive for balance. I am so guilty of the over full, never finished schedule, I am taking time for my yoga practice and it is really helping me to balance. Being in my own business where I wear all the hats, it is difficult to end the day because there is always some task to be done, but my new approach is that I am only doing what I can do, and I am figuring out a comfortable workflow that I can balance with my personal life.

Being so over scheduled with the never ending “to do” list interferes with living a full life. A life where you take time to really see a friend not just a face book message or a text. You go to an exhibit at a museum, not just look at it online. You take a moment to enjoy this world we live in…not focusing only on the turmoil that is going on, finding some good in something that brings you joy.

So my friends do something today that brings you joy, it may be as simple as going to have a tea or coffee somewhere instead of having it in a cup in your car. Just take a moment for you-

XOXO,

Gigi

Recipe for happiness

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Gigi in Well-Being Comments Off

quote

This quote moved me… Sometimes you have to listen to that little voice on the inside. It is easy in this world we live in to concentrate on our exterior, making sure it looks real good to everyone. Giving the illusion that everything is okay, when it is crumbling apart on the inside.

Life is full of ups and downs. The daily comings and goings can take its toll on the best of us. Sometimes I feel bad for feeling down when in the big scheme of things, my disappointments are not that serious, compared to some. For example a few days ago a Facebook friend shared that their 7 week old baby suddenly passed away, although I have never met this person I was instantly sad at the thought of losing a baby. My issue of the day quickly disappeared.

We are responsible for our own happiness. I know that is easier said than done. The truth is I have my down days too, sometimes more often than I’d like to admit, but I also have some tactics to help navigate those times as well.

My recipe for happiness.

1.Surround yourself with positivity.

2.Wake up and embrace the day, leaving yesterday in the past.

3.Unfriend, unfollow, hang up on, negativity.

4.Accept people for who they are…and limit the interaction with those that do not have your best interest. see #3

5.Yoga- for me my practice helps me to stay grounded…find something that works for you.

6.Laughing even when you should not be…

7.Go out and find your joy.

8.Spend time with your loved one- or someone that makes you feel special.

9.Have people in your life, that will accept you for you- the ones you can be your authentic self- no faking the funk.

10.Indulge in something decadent- occasionally – don’t be that person that can never let loose…the ones that are always uptight because they are concentrating on the exterior a little to much.

What is your recipe for happiness? I’d love to know…

XOXO,

GIGI

Gigi 2017

How to Make 2017 The Best

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Gigi in Holiday 4 Comments

Gigi 2017

“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.” – Anais Nin

It’s Tuesday, January 17th and I am posting my first post of the year, actually my first post in a while. I’m cleaning my slate and refocusing my purpose, not making the ubiquitous resolutions, but taking inspiration from the Anais Nin quote as my guide. Making each day matter.

I’m always working on self, constantly pushing myself to be stronger, always striving to be the best version of me that I can be… not always easy. I’m back to my yoga practice, which is a good thing, those couple of hours on the mat makes a difference.

My photography is progressing, I’m growing as an artist, searching for my voice, balancing clients with my personal work. I’ve come to the conclusion that I will never be caught up and that’s okay, to be in a continuous state of “work in progress”.

Gigi photographer

So back to the question, How to make 2017 the best?

Start by doing as much good as you can.
Stop doing shit you hate.
Love your body more.
Make time for yourself- be selfish
Forgive and Forget

Gigi Maldives

2017 a year where I slowly peel away little pieces of the life I desire. At my age there is more life behind me than ahead of me… that’s a fact.

Did you make any resolutions ? I’d love to know…

“You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.” -Kate Morton, The forgotten Garden

Xoxo,

Gigi

Happiness Seeker

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 2 Comments

A year ago I was in the throes of my son’s high school graduation, transitioning to being an official empty nester, as my son prepared to depart to upstate New York for college while at the same time juggling my young photography business. I’ve been thinking about time and how we can mark our lives by these little landmarks. Birth. Preschool. High School. College. Career. Marriage. Children. Repeat the cycle with your own kids and add in some unfortunate mishaps such as, death, illness, unemployment, aging parents, addiction, divorce, etc. and you have this thing called life.

I’ve learned that it is those unpredictable moments that keep life interesting- those moments when you feel literally on the edge, those moments where your heart just drops to the ground with no warning, moments where you wonder how will you go on? Like your son coming home after Thanksgiving and not returning to school, or a friend unbeknownst to you is suffering from depression and decides to check out permanently. These moments reinforce how important it is to embrace each day and live your life to the fullest.

Deleting what no longer gives you pleasure and restructuring your life to the best of your ability. Like when my son came home from school I encouraged him to take some cooking classes, which he did and as a result he catered a dinner party for 16 people a few weeks ago, discovering a passion that he did not know he had.

I’ve always been a “happiness seeker”. I don’t function well under duress, matter of fact I shut down totally, rejecting the source of madness. This started a long time ago when I was a child, my mother and father would argue most of the time, loud screaming matches and I remember going into the closet and hiding until it was over. I was also the person, who would walk off a job not knowing how I was going to pay next month rent because I was not “happy” with the situation.

I will always continue to grow as a woman as long as I am on the planet- embracing my passions, regardless of naysayers, willing to take risks, willing to change something that is not working, understanding that failure is a big part of the growth and is a good thing.

Happy Monday! I know it has been a while –

Xoxo,

Gigi

My Professional life

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Gigi

Now that my “professional” life has begun, after 3 decades or so of wandering, I feel desperate to be somewhat successful, to make up for lost time. I don’t have regrets for my past, but I’m reminded so often when I meet peers close to my age or more often read about them in publications, it is at those times I feel behind.

I love what I’m doing, being a photographer, even if my work is not hanging in a gallery, I’m not a keynote speaker at WPPI, nor am I doing assignments for Vogue or NY fashion week. I am capturing and documenting the existence and beauty of women who trust me with their soul and vulnerabilities.

When I imagined my new life as a photographer, I never thought about my age, or what others were doing, it was my passion and I was not concerned where it was going to go or end.

I’m grateful that I am in good health, that I embrace my 10 extra pounds, I have a supportive husband, my kids are navigating and figuring out their purpose in this world and life for the most part is really good.

I believe everything happens when it is supposed to and I have to trust that this is my time. I’m 5’6″ (I wish) 56 years old and my life is just that my life, the one with my quirky family, surrounded by my kitties, hopelessly shoe addicted, camera toting, complicated, kinky curly hair wearing, loving, traveling, stressful and 98% of the time happy woman.

Happy to be back after my 2 week hiatus-

Xoxo,

Gigi

Giving up? Or have you had Enough?

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 3 Comments

“There’s a difference between giving up and knowing when you’ve had enough.”

One thing about the 50’s you know when you have had enough. Perhaps it is because you know you are on the other side of that half of a century mark and you know while some people make it to the ripe old age of “100” most of us don’t…

You realize that you are responsible for your life, and your life is the one you have created for yourself…the good the bad and the ugly. If you have been living someone else’s life for the past 50 or so years, you know it is time to at least entertain a change, a little shift in your priorities.

Take that passionate leap and go for whatever- take a chance, especially if you have been consumed with obstacles that have prevented you in the past. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, failure can be a good thing. I have forgotten half the things I failed at, but what I do recall is that I was not afraid to try- and I have a garage full of remnants of past ventures that fell by the wayside.

Surround yourself with those that uplift you- let go of those that bring you down. Find the “right” people who will inspire you to be your best. If there are those in your life that are causing you anxiety, back away or if it is one of those complicated situations figure out a way to make a change. Embrace change and navigate it and know it is for a reason- don’t stay and be stagnant.

The good thing about being on this planet for a long time you have witnessed a lot and hopefully you have learned something. For me I always check my happiness meter and if it starts going in the wrong direction I quickly evaluate and make adjustments quickly. In my past life, I was notorious for ending relationships abruptly, walking off jobs, moving suddenly, all for the pursuit of happiness and sometimes to maintain my sanity.

So, when do you know you have had enough? I’d like to know.

xoxo,

Gigi

Happy Gigi

Quote

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Gigi in Inspiration Comments Off

As a young woman I loved reading Anais Nin. So when I came across this quote I had to share it…

“You live like this, sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book… or you take a trip… and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are easily detectable: first, restlessness. The second symptom (when hibernating becomes dangerous and might degenerate into death): absence of pleasure. That is all. It appears like an innocuous illness. Monotony, boredom, death. Millions live like this (or die like this) without knowing it. They work in offices. They drive a car. They picnic with their families. They raise children. And then some shock treatment takes place, a person, a book, a song, and it awakens them and saves them from death. Some never awaken.”
― Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934

This quote reminds me of my love of reading, and how books were my way to another world, before I had ever traveled as a young one. I loved going to the library, it was my ticket to the universe.

I always knew there was so much out there to experience. My path had a lot of detours and bumps along the way- never taking the direct route-always making time to get lost- and shying away from those that were on that predictable journey.

It is so easy to fall into a routine, and each day you follow your schedule, do what you do, day in and day out…numb to the world around you.

Live each day with a little abandonment- never stop discovering- it is okay to step out of your comfort zone-

Speaking of comfort zone…check out this young filmmaker Solomon Onita, I saw his short JOY at the Pan African festival and it is streaming on HBO-powerful story check it out.

Happy Thursday-

Xoxo,

Gigi

“The Philosophy of Psychiatry and Diagnosis”

In pursuit of Perfect

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 4 Comments

Gigi

I used to want it “all”. You know the perfect house, husband, kids, career, invites to all the best parties, and of course a thin body with all the latest designer frocks. While nothing is really wrong with wanting those things it contributes to a sort of deterioration , when the milestones aren’t reached or the perfect story starts to fall apart. Out of nowhere some unforeseen unpredicted situation will arise and everything will come tumbling down.

2015 was a year of highlights, I successfully made it through the rigorous college application process, the acceptances arrived, a beautiful graduation party, fall family trip to New York for the dorm move in, side trip to one of the best outlet malls- life was good. Thanksgiving came and everything changed-

My son did not return to school due to a host of complications and mishaps. My little perfect story had a glitch, that I did not see coming. At first I felt it was my mistake somehow, my cross to bear, like I was responsible for this puzzle piece that was lost. How would I explain that my prep school, year abroad in Italy, artist, son was not returning to college- he was taking an unplanned gap year?

Well the holidays have come and gone, we are all adjusting and regrouping. It is a time of discovery, learning that my son is quite a chef and perhaps a culinary career my be an option he is researching.

I am constantly reminded that life is not predictable and that you have to just go with it and make the most of any situation…and always look for the silver lining.

Reggie Creation-

Reggie

Happy Friday. I am looking forward to a solo weekend of indulgent me time. My husband is traveling to Florida for a conference and my son is going to Santa Barbara.

Xoxo,

Gigi

On being Grateful…

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Gigi in Inspiration 1 Comment

If you are reading this you more than likely have a “device” of some sort or you are sitting at a computer.

You probably have a home or apartment, you ate yesterday (if you did not it was because you were fasting), you slept last night in a bed or stayed up binge watching something on cable.

You may have a spouse, significant other, children, parents, siblings and friends as well.

You may have a career, a business, a job, be a student, or you may be retired.

You may be going to the gym, or yoga, hiking, bike riding or taking a pilates class, finishing your workout drinking a gallon of filtered water to hydrate your body.

You get you hair “done” or like me you have a special closet full of hair potions and lotions, manicures, pedicures, etc. are what you do, you kept up your “beauty” routine just like you maintain your car service schedule.

Just looking at the news or reading the paper I am reminded and humbled of how good my life is…and most of the people I know- but how that is not the norm for many. People are really struggling with all sorts of challenges- health problems, financial, legal, family dynamics, relationships you name it, if you are not suffering you are truly blessed.

I am reminded daily to practice gratitude, because life could change in a moment- the older I get the more I see this happening.

No matter where you are on your life journey…there is so much to be thankful for…Practice Gratitude-

Happy Thursday.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi & Tea

10 things you should do…

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Gigi in Inspiration Comments Off

self portrait #10

I was reading an article about 26 things a person should do for themselves a least once an year.

These were some of my favorites ones-

1 Buy your self a good pair of shoes. The article focused on the comfort aspect, but my thought would be a beautiful indulgent pair- one that makes your heart beat fast and your legs look fabulous.

2 Go on a trip anywhere- even a road trip to a city a couple hours away- just explore something different.

3 Listen to some music from your past- I do that all the time, it mellows me out thinking about what I was doing 20-30 years ago and how simple my life was then. Lately I have been on a Stevie Wonder binge.

4 Edit your space and get rid of clutter. Anything that no longer serves you…let it go- I’m doing this room by room, my daughter left for college 2008 and has not returned- so I think all those clothes hanging in that closet are not serving anyone.

5 Clean up your email inbox- I’m ashamed to say, but I have over 100,000. I know part of this is from subscribing to different mailers, so my inbox is flooded daily.

6 Take yourself to dinner or lunch alone- I do this a lot when I go into the city. I have by phone or iPad and I’m good.

7 Write down a list of things you are proud of…

a.I am proud of my growth as an artist- and pursuing my passion as an old lady. hehehe

b. I am proud of my unconditional love for my family-because at times it can be a real challenge.

c. I am proud of being able to say “no” and being able to speak and listen to my authentic self and let her guide me…

8 Prepare dinner for friends- It is so easy to go out and meet at a restaurant, but there is something intimate about preparing food for guests.

9 I love this one- “do something unbelievably kind for someone who will not expect it” I have been on the receiving end of this one- just blown away by unexpected kindness, especially this past year.

10 I loved this one too “on your birthday make it a point to review your year” and then reflect and make improvements.

Read the entire list here.

Happy Wednesday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

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