This year is MY YEAR! I’m calling it today! The reason is that I have picked my words for 2016. To give a little background, I came across this idea while reading other blogs, so I have a few photographers to thank for this idea but I love it! The goal is to find a word or words that encapsulate what you want to be or achieve in the New Year. This past weekend my husband Sean and I drove up to Vermont to ski for the day. On our long ride up (no, I’m not a fan of long drives) to Vermont I mentioned a blog I had read. I asked Sean what his word would be for 2016. After he answered I said mine are “Authentic and Adventurous”. This blog post is me being the real me and not having the “Instagram Perfect” picture or language before I post.
One of the reasons I chose these words is that I’m a planner, and always have been. Disclaimer: I can be a too much of a planner! Yes, and I recognize this can be one of my weaknesses as a person. I thought back to many moons ago, and remembered that some weekends that were not planned ended up being the best adventures! I want more of that this year. I guess it’s me telling myself “Hey, take a chill pill”. So I’m going to take one and relax a little bit more.
How does this factor into my business you might ask? Well, the first thing is that you will see a lot more of my REAL LIFE on Instagram. Of course who doesn’t love beautiful, gorgeous pictures out in front of the world, but I’ve noticed the more real I have been the more people can relate and connect with me. I really want to take and use this observation, so I will be posting the silly, clumsy Jen more often. Of course there will still be all the pretty and gorgeous pictures as well……at least I hope they’re pretty and gorgeous! Let’s be honest my life is not anywhere near close to perfect. So why reflect it that way all the time? Being more Authentic and real will create connections with more people. This is one of my goals for this year. 
I challenge you to take more authentic and real pictures of your life. One day when others reflect my life I want them to think of me as an authentic person who laughs, smiles and has a LOT of fun!
Thank you to Stephanie Rita for my headshots!
xoxo Jen Araya
thank you for these words. i have been sooooooooo focused on Instagram and Facebook and posting what will attract my ideal clients, that people may not even know me at all. authentic me in 2016!
Corinne LOVE IT!!!! Kick some booty with being authentic! xoxo
Beautiful headshots!
Authenticity is something I want to convey more of this year, too! I think IG perfect images are nice and all… but they aren’t always realistic for me? Sometimes I want to take a picture at night when the lighting is subpar, lol!
I hope 2016 is a wildly happy and fulfilling year for you!
Niki it’s tough! I totally get it. Same to you! xoxo
Gorgeous photos, you look so happy! Good luck with your 2016 goals!!
Thank you Elizabeth!! xoxo 🙂
I have seen lots of people picking their words for the year, and I haven’t seen these yet! Very “authentic”
Samantha have you picked your words yet? I’d love to hear what they are 🙂 xoxo
You have inspired me! This post is me to a “T”! I have been thinking about making the same changes, but I have been hesitant to take the leap. If you have the courage to do it though, then so can I! I love your idea of picking a theme for the year, and the sense of purpose it gives. I may have to barrow that. 😉
Do it Sam!!!!! It will be worth it 🙂 xoxo
I love that you have focus words for the new year! Looking forward to seeing more of the real you in 2016 🙂
Thanks Stacy! Your lil munchkin is so cute! xoxo