Hobbies: Living your life with RA

Well, having RA since I was 3 has really put a damper on my life.  I've been out of work for over a year now, and for a while it made me feel really down on myself.  I used to be a very creative, artsy person, but I was letting the depression of not being able to work take over my life.  One day I woke up and realized I needed to take my life back!  My last blog I did was on depression, and it inspired me to write this one on what I do to help manage my stress and to keep me sane and happy.

My most favorite thing in the world for me, is my photography!  It used to just be a hobby of mine, until I started getting more and more compliments about my photos, and that I should do more with it.  I've been inspired to go forth with my photography and make a career out of it.  It's a job that would be great for me, it's something that I absolutely love to do, and I will be able to make my own schedule with it.  It's something that I can work around my illness and many doctor's appointments.  I am keeping myself moving, and going forth with something that makes me happy. 

I am dedicating this blog to my photography, and want to share some of my photos with all of you.  All photos in this post were taken by me, and I hope you enjoy them. 

Black and white is so classic and beautiful! I actually put this pirate ship together myself, it took a while and was a pain to do, but I felt very accomplished after I finished.

Another black and white.... this was taken in Boston, Ma.  I was walking back to the train after seeing a Red Sox game and just snapped the photo. It's simple, but I do love it.

This is my cat, Harley, I love her and she's one of my favorite models! Haha.

This is my kitten, Mrs. Nesbitt. She's young, only 11 months old, so she's very difficult to photograph, she's always moving!

Probably one of my favorite photos I've ever taken. Purple is my favorite color, and I just love how the sun hit the flowers just right.  Nature is so beautiful, and one of my favorite things to photograph.

This was taken right after a rain storm in Rogersville, TN.  I love how you can see the drops of rain on the petals.

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, the colors are just so wonderful! This was taken at a park.

I love this photo! It was tough to edit, but I'm pleased with the way it came out. This was taken at a pumpkin patch, I did some family portraits there. 

I love using black and white, with just a hint of color, it can make things pop and the photo look so much better.

That's my fiance on the right, and a good friend of ours.  They were jamming, so I took out my camera. Another unplanned event.

Delicious yummy cupcakes that my best friend and I made together :)

These are toothpicks!

Some still life, very fun and let's me get creative.  Those are my glasses.

Okay, last one!  I love the colors in this photo.  It was taken at an abandoned theme park in Dartmouth, MA










I hope you enjoyed the photos, you can see all of my work HERE on my Facebook page. :)  It's important for you to find a hobby that works for you.  To get out there, and keep moving, do what makes you happy.  Photography gives me a reason to want to wake up in the morning, sometimes I just grab my camera and go where the road takes me.  I've taken some of my best photos that way.  Our RA can get us down, making us feel hopeless, and depressed.  Even if you can't work, or have stopped working, finding something that makes you happy and fulfills your life will help make you feel better.  Give yourself a reason to want to wake up in the morning, give yourself a reason to smile.... but best of all, give yourself a reason to be happy.  :o)