I N T R O V E R T

Ever since I started preschool, I’ve been so painfully shy. I was a crazy, talkative kid until you threw me in a room with a bunch of strangers. Who else can relate!? Luckily, I participated in sports because that’s where I was able to make most of my friends! And as odd as it sounds, this introvert was a cheerleader! No idea what I was thinking haha!

My picture today was taken by the river on my parents farm which was my refuge when I felt overwhelmed in high school. This is where I felt the most comfortable, by myself where I couldn’t feel the judgement of the world. (I do this today by taking naps hahaha)

My shyness has always been a struggle for me. In class I remember the teachers asking what the answer was, and even though I knew it and I wanted so bad to say the answer, I never got the strength to raise my hand. 

I’m a very happy person, and I try to show it as often as I can, but this face has gotten me in a lot of trouble. When I’m in a new social environment, a lot of times I freeze up. Not because I’m not enjoying myself, or I don’t like you. I’m just scared to death I’ll say something wrong. I overanalyze every situation, and while I’m busy trying to figure out how not to look like an idiot, people around me just see me as angry.  

I’m lightyears better than I was in school, but I constantly struggle putting myself out there. (Hence why these blogs are so hard) But I have to say, every single time I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone, something beautiful has happened. I will always feel awkward, and my stomach will always be full of butterflies, but I made a promise to myself to make these changes. My life is worth more than hiding from this world, and so is yours.

So if you’re a fellow introvert, please listen to this advice. 

Put yourself out there. Don’t overthink it, just do it. 

You will not always feel comfortable. At first, you will come home and analyze the situation until you make yourself sick. But it gets easier every step you take. I’ve met so many amazing people, but if I ran away to the river every time I felt overwhelmed, I wouldn’t have built those relationships. Push away all those fears and feelings that you are not worthy, and take that leap. I’ve been able to be a light in others lives, and I’ve been blessed by so many people. 

So if you’re a fellow introvert, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Whether its joining that exercise class you’ve been eyeing, posting that photo of yourself that you love but are afraid what others will think, or reaching out to that someone you’ve been avoiding.

My hope from this post is that you will be able to see past my shyness and see the real me. And hopefully my unfortunate case of RBF will never offend you! 

Thank you for stopping by for another #gettingtoknowcrystin post. I appreciate anyone who is willing to take the time to visit my blog and get to know me. Drop by my contact page if you want to talk!

S I M P L I C I T Y

So this is where it all started! Little baby Crystin used to run barefoot through these greenhouses. In my photo, I’m surround by thousands of tobacco transplants. Not only does my family raise tobacco in the fields, but they grow the starter plants in greenhouses. All of those tiny tobacco plants are floating on water in styrofoam trays. Some of my favorite memories are of my brother and I pretending to “fall” in those waterbeds so we could splash around. My parents would get so mad! But those are such sweet memories. 

I feel like such a redneck dork saying this, but I used to LOVE frogs! They would lay their eggs in the waterbeds and I would watch the tadpoles sprout little legs. It was my favorite thing to do! (You can tell we didn’t get out much ha)

This was my childhood! As I mentioned earlier, my parents are tobacco farmers in southern Kentucky, so our life would revolve around the farm. My parents are very successful and work so hard for everything they have. They are such an inspiration! Most nights, dinner was served in the bed of my dad’s truck. We took one vacation a year in the winter and the most exciting events at our house were UK Basketball games. Our life was pretty simple, and I like to believe I carried that with me into adulthood. 

I find the simple things in life to be the most beautiful. 

I think my photography style is a reflection of that. I use very little props and my editing style is not very elaborate. My favorite moments in life are those honest, raw moments that touch your heart. Those moments aren’t photoshopped, they aren’t fake, and they aren’t there just to look pretty. They are beautiful because they are real. 

Thank you all for coming along on this journey with me. The goal of these small snippets is for you to be able to learn more about me, what I do, and why I love it so much. I hope you’ll stop by next week! 

For an explanation of this photo series, click here!

Here are some more pictures from the greenhouse! Plus a bonus picture of my handsome baby brother! 

My Portrait Photo Series

I’m really stepping out of my comfort zone here, y’all. 

I’m not usually in front of the camera, but I’ve challenged myself to let you all get to know me better. All the love, grace, joy, and heartache in my life. 

Over the next few weeks, in a effort to be vulnerable, I’ll be posting a portrait series that represents a word that describes me. There will also be a blog post to go more in-depth. 

I just want to be real with y'all. I want you to know who I am, what I do, and why I love it so much.

This blog is going to be filled with things that fill my soul. God has given us all a platform, and I believe this is mine. 

I’ll be posting these for my Friday Introduction’s each week, so be on the lookout for the first post tomorrow!