SLIDESHOW: Troyes, France, with my FujiFilm X100V.

SLIDESHOW: Troyes, France, with my FujiFilm X100V.

SLIDESHOW: Troyes, France, with my FujiFilm X100V.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: https://www.instagram.com/p/Co41uSXqZbR/


I released the video yesterday, and my stomach had butterflies, flip-flopping around as if I was on a roller coaster. But no, feet firmly planted on the ground, I was just a bundle of nerves.

I’ve challenged myself this year to work harder on my videography and photography. I am self-taught. And lately, I have been studying methodologies and film techniques, and slowing down a bit to allow space for creativity.

The hours and days of work it took to research, plan, film, and edit this tour of Troyes were so long that I was (and still am) anxious about the results. Being a big fan of @brenebrown, I love her talks about vulnerability.

“No one wants to be uncomfortable. No one wants to be vulnerable, and everyone wants to be brave. And it just doesn’t work like that.”

I find it uncomfortable to travel alone, but I find so much joy each time I am brave and walk out the door.

I find it uncomfortable to take these images and write these words and edit these videos, wondering if my work will be accepted, but I am brave and do it anyway.

I find it uncomfortable to publish something I know isn’t perfect or ‘professional’, but I am brave because it will inspire, help, or encourage others to do the same & explore this country I love so much.

“We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.”

So, I hit the publish now button on YouTube. Just a few moments later, I received a notification that I already had a comment.

Jodee Boehm wrote, “Wow. I’m speechless, really. This video is gorgeous, but more importantly, your editing and incredible sound track made me feel like I was walking right next to you. That doesn’t just happen.Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!! Oh my goodness, those churches...”

And I cried happy tears.

The full-length tour of Troyes is available now. Visit the link in my bio or search for “This French Life” on YouTube.

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