How I Am Managing The Stress of Busy Season

As is fairly common during this time of year when you are a photographer, life and work are incredibly busy! I had a really slow summer which was nice and unexpected but am now transitioning from that into a very full season of weddings and sessions. Thankfully, I knew this was going to happen and have been working to prepare for it the best that I can. I will not sit here and say that I am balancing it all well but I thought I would share a few tips with you about how I am at least managing the stress of this busy season the best that I can.

Quiet journaling or meditative prayer.

Because this season is so busy and I am constantly being distracted and reminded of how much I still have left to do, it has been crucial that I take time each day to be quiet for a few minutes without distractions. This has usually been happening in the morning as I eat breakfast and read my current bible study. I was listening to one of my current favorite podcasts (Rhythms for Life by Rebeka Lyons) all about learning how to rest. They shared on one of the podcasts that if we each spent 10 minutes a day in meditative prayer that it would change our lives! Our brain would thank us and the constant feeling of overwhelm wouldn’t affect us as much. I’m looking forward to trying this out and will let you know how impactful it is!

Taking 6 deep meaningful breaths in 60 seconds when I feel stressed or overwhelmed.

This was also a tip I learned from the podcast shared above and it has literally been a game-changer for me. Curt Thompson (the guest speaker on the one of the episodes) says that when we start to feel overwhelmed wherever that may be (in front of a computer, pile of laundry, dishes, etc.) that by taking a few moments to consider how your body actually feels when you are overwhelmed and then focusing your attention on slow, deep breaths for 60 seconds, it will literally change how you feel. Then whenever those moments rise back up in your daily life, instead of getting that feeling you can then actually do something about it that your body actually appreciates. Go listen to the podcast for real because I know I can’t explain it as well as they do!

Scheduling dedicated downtime alone or with my family and friends.

This has been crucial for me in making sure that I stay energized to serve others. It is totally worth it to take one or two days or evenings off of work during the week, even if you don’t feel like you have the luxury, to not think about work and just have a little bit of fun. I’ve been going to dinner with my husband at least once a week and getting outside to enjoy nature as often as I can. Taking the time to refill my cup helps me fill others when I need to and prevents me from burn out!

Writing out the things that I need to do and checking them off as I go.

My dad has always been a list maker and I am too. Typically I can mange my to do lists in my daily agenda (this is the one I use) but when you are super busy and it doesn’t all fit on one page, I find it helpful to write it all out in the order that it needs to be done. Then when I complete something, I cross it off and it feels so good!

Planning some time of relief for the future when things die down.

For me, my schedule starts to slow down in late November and early December. In the last couple of years, I have started blocking off my schedule for the whole month of December so that I can spend time with my family and recover from the crazy fall. I delete Instagram and make sure that all of my work is completed by then so that nothing is lingering in my mind. Maybe you can’t take the whole month off but at least dedicate a couple of weeks around the holidays if you can. I promise you, it is totally worth it and helps me get excited about the upcoming new year!

I hope these tips help you in whatever busy season of life you are in. You don’t have to be a photographer to have a busy fall. These tips can be used practically in any month and any time of the year that you feel overwhelmed!