Introducing Jason Repovs, Photographer and Writer
Jason is a writer and photographer who travels Canada and the world shooting nature photography. When he’s not travelling, he’s writing for his website, Zen and the Fishbowl, which focuses on the intersection between Travel, Art, Personal Finance and Careers, exploring their combined effect on our happiness.
Tell us what you do? and how you came about your side hustle(s)?
Following a trip to Bali in 2017, I realized that many of the pre-conceived notions I held about what it meant to be successful in life were wrong. I didn’t want to work until 65; I wanted to retire while I could still enjoy all that life has to offer. So I started looking for a side hustle, and I started a blog called Zen and the Fishbowl. Turns out that people and companies are willing to pay good money for a writer! Also, while I love nature and landscape photography, I occasionally shoot engagement photos on the side as well.
What about your work brings you true joy?
I love both writing and photography. They’re different forms of self-expression, but by examining the subjects you choose to write about or photograph, you learn a lot about yourself in the process. I also love the flow state that you get into when you’re completely immersed in your work… that feeling when time loses all meaning, and you get so engrossed in your work that you’re surprised when your significant other tells you its dinner time. I love that!
What has been your most valuable learnings?
One: kindness will get you everywhere and everything in this world. Too many people believe that they need be tough in order to be successful, because they don’t understand the difference between kindness and weakness. But being kind, even when others don’t deserve it, is one of the toughest things you can do, in my opinion.
Two: happiness doesn’t reside in what you acquire; it resides in what you share. Share your time, your money, your ear, and your experiences with others, and you’ll receive something much greater in return.
Two: happiness doesn’t reside in what you acquire; it resides in what you share. Share your time, your money, your ear, and your experiences with others, and you’ll receive something much greater in return.
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Images (c) J. Repovs
If you could learn to do anything, what would that be?
This is an easy one: I’d learn to dance. I love dancing… the only trouble is that I’m absolutely terrible at it. I want to learn to do a little better, not so that I can start dancing, but so that I can stop embarrassing myself when I do!
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
I think I’d like to be Gandalf, from Lord of the Rings. He’s wise, doesn’t take himself too seriously despite his incredible intellect… and he’s a freakin’ wizard. Who wouldn’t want that?
Can you describe an experience/incident that happened that made you a stronger person?
Ages ago, in what feels like another lifetime, I worked in one of the most toxic environments imaginable. It broke me, but it also taught me important principles and values: resilience, compassion, and integrity. In being surrounded by all of the things I didn’t want to be – both as a leader, and as a person – I was able to develop a clearer sense of who I did want to be, and what I wanted to stand for.
If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?
Don’t ever give anyone else the power to define your worth. You are the only person who gets to make that choice. Everything else is just noise.
Banner Photo on landing page Jason Repovs