The Beauty of Less: Turning Your "IF statement" into Action(Even When You Don't)
There's a shelf full of kits I had to have in my space that stresses me out every time I walk by. Cameras, lenses, lights, gadgets. All those times talking myself into it... not that hard, "If I had this, I'd finally create more." NOPE: I didn't. Most of it sits continuously untouched while the same old base kit keeps doing the heavy lifting, quietly proving that simplicity still wins. I remember the initial excitement of unboxing each piece, the anticipation of the creative possibilities it would unlock. But it was all done without accountability for goals or set criteria, instead just adding to the clutter and the expense list.
We all have our IF statements. If I had this, I would do that. If I had this, I could finally make something great. The problem isn't the "if." It's the follow-through. If you're not accountable to it, that "if" turns into a "no." And I'm just as guilty as anyone. I know what I should do. I even write about it. Then I find myself researching another lens I definitely don't need. So yes, I'm calling myself out while also pretending this is advice. But here's a strategy that's been helping me: whenever I feel the urge to buy something new, I challenge myself to create something with what I already have. It's a small step, but it's a step towards breaking the 'IF' cycle.
The thing is, we overcomplicate everything. We buy the next upgrade because it feels like progress. It's easier to scroll and shop than it is to sit down and create with what's already in front of us. But the magic doesn't come from the newest thing. It comes from knowing your tools, trusting your instincts, and actually putting in the work. The power of simplicity is immense, and it's time we start harnessing it.
I say that with empathy because I know the struggle. The creative brain is a master negotiator when it wants a new toy. It's hard to resist the allure of the latest gear, especially when it seems like everyone else is using it. But constraint breeds creativity. When you strip things down, you see what really matters. The best work I've made didn't come from the newest gear. It came from the moments I stopped waiting for the perfect setup and just started. I know it's easier said than done, but trust me, the fear of missing out is nothing compared to the joy of creating something truly unique with what you have.
So before spending another nickel (we don't have pennies anymore, which makes this metaphor slightly less satisfying), take a good look around. You probably already have what you need to make something worth sharing. And if you don't? The thing you're missing isn't gear at all. It could be permission to start where you are. Remember, the power to create is in your hands, and it begins with what you have.
Now, I'm off to write another post about simplifying things while browsing camera equipment I don't need.
— RENimagines
