Finding Contentment

Couple of days ago, one of my clients who is getting married in November text messaged me, saying she wanted to talk to me. We met up today and we instantly clicked on a personal level and ended up talking for almost two hours! We were so caught up on opening up to each other about our personal lives-our families, and our guys, that we didn’t even get to talk about wedding planning!. :) Unproductive as that time may have been work-wise, my client shared that she felt at peace & relieved just from being able to really talk. I too, felt like we established a sisterly bond. It was amazing to know that she saw me as more than a hired planner, but as a friend who can listen as well. That’s a great feeling and it is in small moments like theses that I find the biggest contentment in my career and in my life.

But to be completely honest, there are some days when I am easily discouraged or can't find contentment in my career. While this job allows me to be creative and passionate about what I love, I can’t help but find myself comparing with other wedding professionals, top notch vendors, and people who seem to appear much more accomplished than I am. Keeping up with latest trends & getting inspirations from other wedding blogs sometimes leads me to discouragements because I see how much I lack in comparison. So then I try even harder and spend even more time researching and thinking of ways to improve my company. Not that it's wrong to be constantly thinking about how to improve my company and coming up with marketing plans, but there are days when I KNOW I became overly ambitious or workaholic. My mind is scattered with NEXT to do lists, ideas, plans.. it's endless! Amidst the clutter, I lose sight of why I started this work and I am left feeling horribly empty and discouraged. There's only one thing to do when this happens. I leave all the thoughts of work behind and re-focus on why I chose this career in the first place. (Or sometimes it's my dear husband who reminds me to re-focus!)
More and more, I find that maintaining my contentment & joy is always going to be something I choose & struggle to choose. I'm sure there are lots of women who can relate with me on this topic. I am genuinely happy & thankful that I enjoy my work as much as I do and am completely satisfied that I chose this career. Dear readers, I LIVE and BREATHE wedding planning. There is not a moment that goes by when I’m not thinking about my clients, upcoming weddings, vendors, and responding to emails to get work done.

Amidst the clutter, it is my wonderful clients who bring true meaning to why I am doing this. I am so humbled and blessed that they entrust me with something as huge & important such as their wedding. They shower me with thoughtful gifts & thank-you cards after the weddings are over, telling me I was their "absolute best wedding planner that they could have asked for or dreamed of." And then.. it all clicks to me once again. I am so thankful, blessed and truly content.. Being able to share my passion.. enjoying the beauty of building wonderful relationships... I cannot complain about a single thing that has happened or that is going on right now. Then I shake off this feeling of discontentment and let joy fill my cup all over again. Then, I give a big kiss & a hug to my husband who loves me unconditionally and smile at my baby smiling back at me.
How easy it is to confuse what success is. If I don't guard my heart, I can be totally disillusioned about becoming a successful planner. I don’t want to spend my life struggling to keep up with latest trends in wedding industry. I truly believe that when I can be content in my present situation and be motivated by building wonderful relationships, the rest will follow. After all, I didn't choose this career so that I can chase after fame, reputation or success. I'm just a girl who loves to express my creativity & find joy in helping couples in their crucial moments in their lives.