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How to Find Peace in Uncertainty with JK Winders

COVID-19 has irrevocably changed life as we know it. It has dashed even the most carefully laid out plans — from career transition to major events prepared long in advance. Despite mounting uncertainty about the future, take comfort in the fact that it's still possible to make sense of this seemingly confusing journey.

In this episode, my son, JK, joins us to share how the pandemic tested his resolve. He explains his evolving relationship with social media and details what it takes to be a responsible content producer. He gives us a glimpse into his life after the lockdown and illustrates how it’s possible to find joy and meaning by confronting your fears.

Listen to the episode to unearth more productive ways of looking at life during the pandemic.

3 Reasons to Listen:

Discover how setbacks can still serve as valuable life lessons.
Appreciate the role of social media and be a responsible content creator.
Learn how to build the strength to face your fear and anxiety.

Resources

How to Get Lost and Find Yourself, a Seek Go Create episode with JK Winders
Off the Beaten Path: Volume 2 In A Series of Great Explorations by JK Winders
Episode Details

About JK

JK Winders is an artist of many trades: a photographer, creative director, documentarian, and avid explorer whose work has been featured in Bespoke Post and Folk Magazine. He is also the creative director for the Seek Go Create Podcast.

You can connect with JK on his website or Instagram.

Episode Highlights

[03:28] Introducing JK

JK Winders is a multi-skilled artist who provides creative direction and consultation to people and businesses.
JK recently became an uncle.

[05:26] Seek Go Create as a Family Project

SGC is a family endeavor.
As SGC’s producer, JK follows many different podcasts because every podcast has a unique spin.
JK believes SGC can provide a fresh insight on how they tackle the coming season as a family.

[11:18] The Challenges of 2020

For JK, "confusing" is the word that captures 2020, given the inconsistency and uncertainty of all that's happened.
Although he was used to working remotely, he still felt angst over the future.
JK worked up the courage to plan a large event in Yosemite, but it fell through because of COVID.
He felt defeated and personally attacked by the pandemic.
After sending refund emails, JK realized that he’s still proud of overcoming his initial reluctance to organize that event in the first place.

[16:56] “Even though it didn't happen, I'm still kind of proud of that willingness to just be like, ‘Yeah, so what if no one responds?’ I'm ready to put something like this out there for people.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[17:52] Test of Willingness

In retrospect, JK feels that most of the year’s happenings are a test of his resolve.
He would give himself a B+ or an A- for accepting the turn of events.
JK feels that he connected with his community and widened his circle in 2020 more than any other year.

[22:12] On Content Creation

As a photographer, JK initially hesitated to showcase his work on Instagram.
During the pandemic, he decided to up his social media game.
Now, JK believes that social media offers a platform to inspire people.
Even if you have a small following, people are listening to your story. As a content creator, you have a responsibility to release quality work and positivity.

[24:12] “And even if you have a modest following, that amount of people that are willing to listen to you and hear what your message is. . .there are people that are looking and reading and listening. And then it really became more of a responsibility. It's just like I got to make sure that I put good work, positivity out there.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[26:40] Best Social Media Practices

A strong social media presence starts with knowing that you have a story worth telling.
Lean into what makes you unique.
Unlike influencers that operate in a barter-like system, JK focused on developing relationships with brands and businesses like Bespoke Post and Folk Magazine.

[26:57] “The thing that I kind of started leaning into was just figuring out how to live my life as a story worth telling. And that has really made this great opportunity to document it in special ways to create my own sense of individualism.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[31:45] Building an Instagram Portfolio

Instagram has become the go-to place to assess a photographer’s work.
A photographer’s Instagram feed should be a good representation of his abilities.

[33:09] Spur-of-the-Moment Decisions

In May 2020, he bought a motorcycle on a whim even though he didn’t have a license nor ridden a bike before.
Although he was terrified during the motorcycle safety course, he realized that it was a fun experience once he got over that fear.
He believes that purchase was one of his best decisions since it allowed for many joyful moments during the pandemic.

[36:51] Overcoming Anxiety

JK left little room to make mistakes when he bought the bike. He couldn’t carry it nor had a license to drive it.
There were many what-ifs after the initial purchase, but his first travel to Sun Road proved it was all worth it.
Although the ride was dangerous, the experience ended up one of JK’s most inspiring.
After getting over his fear, JK found that it's easier to discuss his other anxieties openly.
Although most emotions may be valid, they’re not gospel truth.

[40:55] “So, it does make it a little bit easier to discuss not only just that fear, but fear in general with people and also to just admit when fear is present because I have very much come to the realization with most emotions and feelings, they may be valid, but they're not gospel.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[42:21] Cruising Through the Continent

JK bought the bike in May and took the motorcycle safety course in June.
By July, he was already at Columbia Falls. During August and September, he was at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. By October, he arrived at Grand Junction and planned to spend the rest of the year in Utah.
Buying the motorcycle came at a time when he needed rejuvenation.

[47:24] Holidays in the Winders Household

JK recalls that the holidays were always a happy childhood experience.
Decorating the house before Halloween and keeping it up until February or March was a household tradition.
One of his favorites was the family's gift-giving tradition, which shines the spotlight on the giver rather than the receiver.

[52:04] Expectations for 2021

JK looks forward to building his community even more next year.
He remains optimistic even though it might not be possible to host events as soon as possible.
Although things might permanently change, JK remains excited for a future where he can harness his creativity to navigate the future.

[53:21] “I still believe that things are gonna continue to change. We may never experience normal again, but I'm excited about using creativity to navigate the future as things just continue to evolve.” - Click Here to Tweet This

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To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim