2013 was quite a year. There were definitely lots of amazing firsts. My first photo show. A trip to Cancun. Working with amazing brands, dear clients. My first beauty campaign project.

But there were also lots of lows. People come and go, freelance life certainly isn’t easy, nightmare clients and projects that go wrong every which way. And sometimes New York really just hands it to you. It’s not an easy place to live.

As a creative, I’m constantly on guard. I’m more in touch with my surroundings than most people, and I give my absolute everything. Sometimes life turns into an energy drain, though, where what you give isn’t always acknowledged, appreciated, or even worthwhile.

But so it goes. You live and you learn, and sometimes you have to take a break.

So here I am, having taken a breather. Some time to reflect and look back. To just sit and be still, and to really take it all in. Sometimes you need to check which direction you’re heading, and see if it’s still where you want to go. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Photos courtesy Kristin Booker for Giafrese