Years ago, when practicing the art of photography, I found meaning in something professional photographer Chase Jarvis said. Prior to expanding upon his wisdom, it may be useful to provide context regarding why Jarvis’ words resonated with me.
Admittedly, I was a photography gear head, which one source describes as “a slightly derogatory term, the guy who’s constantly on the lookout for new stuff yet is quite unable to comprehend or use the things he (or she) already has.”
Yes, I’m outing myself as the sort of individual who maintained thousands of dollars of equipment though who didn’t know how to properly use the gear I retained. Regarding this fact, I unconditionally accept myself for the money, time, and other resources I wasted on a now-forsaken hobby.
Back when I shot models and landscapes, I irrationally believed that that an expensive lens would offset my lack of skill. Additionally, my absurd use of the sunk-cost fallacy resulted in the purchase of bigger, better, and faster gear when all I needed to do was properly use the gear already available to me.
One day, I came across a short Jarvis video in which the photographer stated, “When the iPhone first came out, I started taking pictures with it every day and I used those pictures as a visual notebook to inform my professional work. But then I realized something more. I realized that the best camera is the one that’s with you.”
Although this simple bit of advice may seem obvious to the average individual, it was precisely what I needed to hear. This is because it wasn’t always practical for me to pack up my gear each time I left my home.
However, I kept a point-and-shoot camera in my car and typically had my smartphone on me at all times. After all, my photography equipment was little more than a tool—a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.
I didn’t need to lug around expensive Canon “white lenses” or pieces from my L-lens “red stripe” collection. Besides, I already had at least two functional tools on me whenever I left home.
Moreover, I foolishly collected gear rather than actually deploying my tools in the first place. Therefore, with Jarvis’ guidance, I realized that the best tool to use was the one that was with me.
Now, as I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite my clients to consider this lesson. Aside from psychoeducation regarding the ABC model and unconditional acceptance, I teach a number of other useful techniques which clients may employ.
Furthermore, I offer a wide range of Tools within my blog. Along with the ability to utilize an effective technique, I encourage people to understand that the tool you use is the one that matters.
This includes the use of other psychotherapeutic modalities, religious or spiritual practices, activities of self-care, or alternative methods for improving one’s level of functioning and quality of life. As such, I stand by what I expressed in a blogpost entitled Useless Tools, “The tools we use less are useless.”
With all of this in mind, what will you do in regards to your mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being? Will you act as a gear head, collecting helpful tools while rarely using them? If so, I invite you to consider that the tool you use matters more than the tools you hoard.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Flowchart. (2017, March 30). Definition of a gear head? Digital Photography Review. Retrieved from https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59347253
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Blog – Categories: Tools. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/blog/categories/tools
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (2022, May 31). Holistic approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/holistic-approach-to-mental-health
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, May 18). Irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irrational-beliefs
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2023, June 6). Sunk-cost fallacy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/sunk-cost-fallacy
Hollings, D. (2022, November 9). The ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-abc-model
Hollings, D. (2022, July 11). Unconditional acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2022, October 20). Useless tools. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/useless-tools
Jarvis, C. (2009, September 22). Best camera by Chase Jarvis | ChaseJarvis [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/0lotlwm38OM?si=7Ce8-fuXLAs5q-XM
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Chase Jarvis. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_Jarvis
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