The Magic of Lavender | Marlboro Family Photographer

Ambien-Related Ramblings of a Marlboro Family Photographer

Some of you may be puzzled by the title of this blog, as I am a Marlboro family photographer. Some of you may be wondering why this blog is about lavender and not photography. But today, I am going to talk about how lavender changed my life. You see, I was a sleep-shopper. In other words, my insomnia was so bad that I had to take Ambien; if you’ve ever taken Ambien, you know exactly where this is going. Being a mom and a New Jersey family photographer, life can get chaotic (emphasis on the “chaotic”). With mothering three daughters, four cats, two bearded dragons, and one dog, quality sleep has become a distant memory for me!

Ambien Sleep-Shopping

Cue: Ambien. In an attempt to actually get some sleep for once, I started taking Ambien. I knew it wasn’t the best for me, but for my lack of sleep, it was so necessary. What happens next is both expected, yet still somehow shocking. I began “waking up” in the middle of the night, still disoriented by the medication. Instead of being one of those people that sleep-walks to the kitchen to make something outlandish like a hot dog covered in syrup and sprinkles, or sleep-walks outside to the front yard with the door wide open, I engaged in something a little more up my alley: sleep-shopping.

Yes, I, Glenna Rosenberg, had become a verified sleep-shopper. Eight hundred dollars and a freshly purchased round-trip to Texas later, I knew I had a problem. I am not afraid to admit it. Amazon Prime was second nature to me, even in my lost state of mind!

Finding My Zen

Soon after the famous sleep-shopping incident (which, let’s be honest, may have occurred more than once), I began practicing meditation. Now if you know me personally, you know it’s hard to silence the millions of thoughts I have on the daily! But I was willing to do anything to de-stress and finally get to a place where I can relax enough to sleep. Being a freehold family photographer, I have always known that photography was my zen. Since it’s impossible to be taking photos 24/7, I realized I was in dire need of more. I ended up going to classes at the Yoga Suite in Matawan, New Jersey. When I say this helped me find my inner peace, I mean it!

It was a place of peace and relaxation, a place where my constantly-buzzing brain finally (and miraculously) slowed down a bit. I was hooked, and my sleeping problems began to fade away as I continued to focus on channeling my zen. Now believe me, it wasn’t all that easy to up and solve my sleeping problems. They were still there. But I realized that there are little things I could do to make falling asleep a little easier.

The Magic of Lavender

Here’s where lavender comes in! If you have ever smelled this soothing herb, you can definitely relate when I say that it is one of the most relaxing scents on planet earth. Seriously, this stuff is magic. Fun fact: lavender is widely used to treat anxiety, fungal infections, and even hair loss. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which is a definite plus. Even better, it tastes amazing in cupcakes (score!).

Personally, I like to use lavender essential oil to calm me down before bed. Whether it’s a roll-on, or through an essential oil diffuser, lavender is consistently soothing. If you’re looking to wind down at bedtime or even if you’re just looking for a way to destress right after your hectic work day, try rubbing a few drops of lavender essential oil into your palms or temples. You’ll be ready to fall into bed in no time.

Lavender Field Photoshoots

Inspired by lavender and all its goodness, I decided to pack up my gear and head to the lavender farm! Pleasant Valley Lavender is located in Morganville, New Jersey, and is quite literally a little slice of heaven on earth. Aside from smelling amazing and looking gorgeous, it also makes for a really great photoshoot destination. Here is the result !!!

Some fine art photography sessions in the lavender field!