All of a sudden I'm 23...

Wow, I'm 23 years old now. I know that's still very young, but it's still important to recognize that life is moving fast. So many things have been running through my head lately; for example am I where I want to be for my age, and am I headed in the right direction to get to where I want to be? Luckily, my career choice could last a lifetime if I wanted it to. It's a funny thing in this industry being a photographer I can start whenever I wish to and end whenever I wish to. But if I were to be a serious model, my career would have already been over by now; that is if I'm not Adriana Lima. For me, photography will never desert me. How many of us are lucky enough to find a life long friend? For me, that's photography. If you can find the form of self-expression that's best for you, then you've got it made. 

Just like when I was a kid playing kickball, I've found that it is necessary to make new rules and make new boundaries in order to be a winner in the game of life. When I was 20 I made the choice to set new rules for myself; and one of those rules was to never allow anyone to wrong me twice. It was a decision that has changed my life dramatically from what it use to be. I use to keep going back and forth to boyfriends and friends that treated me disrespectfully. But now I've outgrown those abusive people, and won't put up with poor treatment anymore. Having that experience, I can see through manipulative, and untrustworthy people. Now I have a self respect that radiates, and I expect everyone around me to have respect for themselves and others. It's amazing how much I've changed, just since I was 20. I would never go back. 

I could go on and on about where I want to be for my age, and where I want to be headed, but that's something I would rather do, rather than say. 

Thanks for listening,

Kelly Robyn

Brilliant quote

"The minute I stopped listening to other people was the minute that I became the most creative and prolific and full of joy. You know in your heart what you love and what makes you happy, so listen to yourself. Or listen to me- I'm happy either way."

-Designer Jonathon Adler

Who am I really?

Listener, Observer, Director, Thinker, Creator. Fiercely individualistic, I strive toward personal authenticity. I know who I am, and proud of the person I’ve become. I feel no need to push myself to be someone that I’m not.

I speak my mind, and voice my opinions. When people say, “you’re too controlling with your opinions”, that makes me investigate further. Simply I think this means they’re too uncertain of themselves to not let others thoughts control them. Why let someone else’s opinions control you? Thanks for giving me all of your power! I believe sometimes people project the way they’re feeling about themselves onto others, so I don’t always take things personal.

Constantly scanning the social environment, I observe people. I tend to have intuitive powers and can tell what is going on inside of others. I read into hidden emotions and give special significance to words or actions. Having a mother with a PhD in Psychology, this way of thinking naturally has been pass down to me.

I'm a very inspired person; I'm always turning ideas into reality. When there is nothing left to create, I move to something new. I want my life to be spiced with newness, love, and joy. I like to create many paths for myself, so that I will never be stuck or bored. I'm always trying to explore my skills and find new talents. I love to learn more, and enrich myself. I have more units in school than what’s necessary, due to taking classes just for the fun of learning new things.

I’m a very strong willed individual; I rarely give people second chances. This way of being has come across as “cold” to many people. But the fact is, I learn my lessons the first time I experience them. I feel no need to subject myself to a disrespectful and dramatic environment over and over, just so that I won’t have one less “friend.”
I forgive them, and go on with my life. I don’t live on in bitterness, and hatred towards that person, because that’s just like keeping them present in my life. I consider intense emotional experiences as being vital to a full life. They’re necessary in order to learn about others and ourselves.

I do a lot for my friends, and don’t expect much back. That’s where my problem lies. When I’m shown a great amount of disrespect, it puts the friendship into perspective for me. I believe in prioritizing people that bring peace and happiness into my life, and people that appreciate me, just as much as I appreciate them.

That’s who I am, and a little bit of what I’ve learned in a nutshell.

Thanks for listening,
Kelly

Success is not final, failure is not fatal.

2008 is near the end. It was a wonderful year filled of opportunities for me that still make me smile! I made it to Fashion Week, shot my first Fashion Line, and established my portfolio. I never would have thought these opportunities would come this soon, so it makes me want to strive for more.  I live by the quote "Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."

I will be 23 next week, I've changed a lot throughout the years, and I believe change is good. In fact, when people say they think I've changed, I think "Good! I hope so! I'm 23 and I'm going to be going through a lot of changes throughout the years, and if you can't handle it now, then you're most likely not in this for the long haul!" 

So I'm ready to embrace more change, and it's time to grow up. I've established new rules for myself, and one of those rules is to surround myself with people that inspire me, and encourage growth. People that can't handle change make me want to scream and run haha

The List (of goals to accomplish this year):

Take a photography "workout":  www.photographiccommerce.com

Take graphic design courses

Find a photo-studio to rent

Pay down credit cards

Upgrade camera equipment

Buy a car (Volkswagon Touareg) 

Save money to Travel Fund (New York, London, Paris, & Prauge)

Thanks for listening

Kelly Robyn