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Clearing the Clutter

We're Amy & Jordan
We're here to help you take amazing photos, build a successful business and live a beautiful life. We're high school sweethearts, parents of three and teachers at heart. 
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It finally happened. Last week. After almost a month of saying we’d do it, we finally did. We dragged our heels every step of the way (and are also slightly embarrassed to admit) that, yes, we just took down our Christmas decorations. And it’s the last week of January!

Our lives have been a little busy, and mostly, we just loved our warm and cozy decorations. But last week we finally caved and took down every single one. In a few hours, our home went from a full-on winter wonderland full of holiday cheer to a clean, neutral-toned and navy room (with little touches of blush, of course) almost empty-looking and slightly sad place. We’d gotten used to the Santas on the shelves and our peppermint placemats. They’re classy ones, we promise. In the last two months — because we put them up the day after Thanksgiving — we’d gotten used to the tree and ornaments greeting us when we woke up in the morning. We’d grown accustomed to the scent of gingerbread while we worked.

Then, it was all gone. Just like we’d wanted, we might add. Because we’d complained (well, Jordan complained) for almost a month that it was time to get them down. To move on. To get back to normal. By last week, we were both really ready for that. Amy included. But for as much as we’d looked forward to it, when it actually happened, when the tree was in the garage and all that was left inside were a few green pines on the ground and a snowman door hanger we forgot about in the guest bathroom (does anyone else always forget to put ONE THING away?), it didn’t feel good. In fact, as silly as it sounds, it felt like a mistake.

In that moment, there was nothing we wanted more than to have them back. To have it all back. And if we could’ve shaken our magic wand, like Fairy Godmother, said Bippity-Boppity-Boo, and made it all go back to the way it was, we might’ve. Because, if you’re anything like us, you don’t like change. Because it’s hard. And too many times (not always), we’ve made decisions in our life based on what makes us feel comfortable at the moment. What we’re familiar with. What we know will be there tomorrow if we don’t change a thing. Have you ever done that? We certainly have.

Sometimes we hang on to things longer than we should and don’t make changes in life because it’s just easier not to — and we don’t know what we’re missing on the other side.

Fifteen months ago, we did something we’d been talking about doing for a while (just like taking down the tree), but had never done. It was a dream of ours, but we were scared of what would happen if we tried to make it a reality. We launched our AJ Workshop for the first time. We opened up sixteen seats, not knowing if a single one would get filled. In the weeks, leading up to the announcement, we thought about just leaving our Christmas tree up for another year, if you know what we mean. We thought about just playing things safe, and doing what we’d done for twelve more months and what we knew worked.

But we can see now that it would’ve been a mistake. Because we would’ve missed out on the blessing of getting to know almost 100 photographers who took our six workshops in 2015 and showing them how to build successful businesses that aren’t just good for the bottom line, but that change lives. We had to clear a lot of clutter in our lives to make room for that to happen. And it was one of the best decisions we ever made. We’re so excited to welcome a brand new group to The AJ Workshop today. We’ve got sixteen more lives to pour into, and sixteen more people who we know the when they leave, that they will go out and make a huge difference in the lives of others. And that never would’ve happened if we gave into the fear of the unknown, and stayed in our safe little comfort zone.

Hopefully you’ve already taken your Christmas tree down, friends (and aren’t crazy like us!) but we’ve got another question for you: What thing have you been holding on to longer than you should that, if you’re being honest with yourself, is holding you back from something else?

Whatever it is, take it down this week. Say no. Put it in a box in the garage and let it go. Then, take that extra time and space to take a risk. To take a chance. On something that you’ll look back on fifteen months from now and feel proud that you did.

Happy Monday, friends! Let’s make it count! And if you want to follow along with us in REAL TIME the next two days, jump on Instagram and check out the #ajworkshop for up to the minute updates! We’ve got an extra fun surprise up our sleeves for our first 2016 group! And if you’re hoping to snag a seat to our next workshop, our email community friends will be the first to have a chance to get them, and you can join in on that here!

View More: http://annamarieakins.pass.us/amyjordankatelynmichael

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

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In this FREE online class, we'll show you three major photo mistakes (and how to easily fix them) so you can take beautiful photos with whatever camera you have! No prior experience required! 

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Don't take another photo without learning the most common photo mistakes most people make (and how to fix them fast!) Get our secrets for amazing pics no matter what camera you have in this online photography training for FREE! No experience required!