Life Is Complicated And I Don't Know Why
March 20, 2025
Sitting down behind the computer this morning after a few hours of journaling about business, future travel plans, and over-arching life, I feel the complexity of my life is at an all time high, but it doesn’t make sense. Overall, this year has been simple:
Photographing the normal amount of campaigns
A couple video projects
Lots of video edits for a project filmed last year
Most marketing outside of that
In other words, a pretty normal year. Only, I have added more comfort to my life like living in a house (I was homeless by choice from 2016 until 2024) which should make things easier than living in my converted van. Yes, the cost of living is more expensive, but not by much. In total, I think the difference is about $1,500 a month. Very do-able for my income. So, why are things more complex?
Is it my dog? I mean, he is about a year old now and still very much so a puppy. Sure, I should be training him more. Hmmm…
Sunset at rainbow lakes along the Kenai Peninsula during a road trip in 2022. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on IG
With less travel days, I sit inside or go play outside with friends and family. My body is in better shape than the last three years as I have constant access to a gym. On the books, I would say I have been making more money than I had been, but without crunching the numbers I can’t say if that is totally true. So, I don’t really know what is going on.
This feeling inside of me is focused on what I am missing out on, but the reality is I have so much back logged work that I haven’t been able to share yet, I feel like going on another large road trip anytime soon doesn’t make sense.
But, the pull to the open road is omnipresent.
Road tripping in Baja with Andrew Muse for a Ford Bronco project. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on IG
Looking through my archive at my last grand adventure, a road trip, that took me from Seattle, WA to Cabo, Mexico to Denali, Alaska back to Lake Tahoe, CA. Almost one full year of traveling on the road. Several years of editing was needed just to start sharing the work. Most notably, my first award-winning short documentary: Climbing For Furely. This short documentary is now streaming on PBS for anyone that wants to watch it.
In addition to this film, the year was filled with photo assignments, the start to my writing career, a handful of additional video assignments, and the belief that I could “make it” in the creative world. For the 6 years prior to this, I felt like I was an imposter in the industry. However, this road trip and work I produced made me feel like I belonged.
Now, back to why I am feeling at odds with myself this year?
I honestly don’t know.
The creative journey is not obvious, but I am excited to see where it leads. Right now, I have 12 projects in the editing bay, which is overwhelming and exciting to know I have so much more work on the horizon I get to share. But then the question arises, how do I share?
social media?
newsletter?
this blog?
in person?
hmmmmmm
Kristin enjoying a morning cup of coffee while in Joshua Tree for a project with several brands. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on IG
Most likely all of the above, I just need to take some time to finish the projects and start figuring out how to market them. In time, I will know and share with you all.
