Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Henley.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
A few years back, I became very restless. I had the “goal” that most people picture: husband, kids, house, big backyard, etc. But I was restless; something needed to be fixed for not being content with working the same job and living in the same house until I was old and maybe retired. But most people don’t feel content with that forever. So, we did a huge plot twist on life. We sold our house most of our belongings, quit our jobs, bought a camper, and left our small town in Tennessee. We knew Florida was our long-term place but needed to figure out where. We also knew we wanted time to make memories as a family. I discovered “workamping,” and it was terrific for us. We spent last summer working at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest. So we cleaned campsites, I worked as a lifeguard, we worked the gatehouse, anything needed, and we could live there for free while we worked. This season, I have taught us so much. Our kids were able to be free and outside; we met some of the most amazing people, and we learned what we like about camp spots and this lifestyle. For me, this opened up a new journey into deciding what I wanted life to look like, how I wanted to raise my kids, and what I wanted to do. It allowed the noise of society to tell me what I should do to be silent. We get to decide how we live our lives, which is beautiful. It does not have to look like everyone else. I am now working as a freelance photographer and content manager, which is the opposite of what I did before! I am creating a clothing brand and a podcast because I enjoy it and want to. If my story speaks anything to anyone, I want it to be this: You are not stuck; you have your skills and desires for a reason. Take time to silence the outside world and figure out what you want your life to look like. Be authentic, and never apologize for it.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like every journey, there are always bumps in the road. So many times we had blown tires on our camper, we had to replace the engine in our truck, and that is just the mechanics of it! We are a family of five, so going from a house to a camper was a big adjustment. We had to learn to live in a tiny space and still love each other, haha! There were some difficulties, but ultimately, it was the best thing for us. We have grown so much closer as a family; we are outside way more, not on screens, and can live life on our terms.
Thanks for sharing that. Can you tell us more about your work next?
Honestly, this is all so new for me. I never thought I was creative, and it turns out I am! I have done well in photography, and I never thought I would. I bought myself a camera, started taking pictures, and now I get paid for it. I do a lot of product/food photography for clients, but my passion is nature photography and street portraits of strangers telling their stories. One day, I want to be known for my merch brand and podcast. The idea of the podcast is exactly what I have done:
- Living life the way you want
- Healing
- Finding happiness that is not based on worldly things
I am incredibly proud of myself for taking risks. Fear is the biggest obstacle, but on the other side, it is either a lesson or everything you have ever wanted. I am proud that I have taken these leaps of faith, not knowing the outcome, to create the life I want. What sets me apart is that I have zero desire to be like everyone else. I used to be the opposite. I tried to fit in, even on social media; I wanted to do the trending thing. But, I have learned that is not who I am or want to be. So, I decided “F it.” I don’t care what people think. I will post what I want, I will make and create what I want, and I will not care what others think because it is my life, not theirs’ 🙂
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My answer for this is going to be very different from the norm. Everyone needs to do breathwork. I have a “mentor,” but she is a certified breathwork facilitator. I could go on and on about the benefits of breathwork, but it comes down to this: your body holds stress, trauma, and unprocessed emotions. It is all held in your body. Breathwork is a tool to heal this, get it out, and process it, and then there is clarity on who you are, who you want to be, and what you want to do. Self-healing/breathwork has completely changed my life in more ways than I can express. Every person should do it. And if you need a facilitator who can help remotely, I have a great one!
Contact Info:
- Website: candicechangeyourmind.com (comingsoon)
- Instagram: @candicenotcandace_ and @soulsandscenery
