The Importance of Taking Breaks from Photography
You may or may not have noticed that there wasn't a newsletter last weekend. I had a mini holiday. Partly because it was my birthday, partly because I hadn't actually taken a solid chunk of time off since the start of the year.
I'll tell you what, I did not realise how tired I was until we got a few days in to our break, and I started sleeping in REALLY late.
If you know me personally, you know that I like to go to bed early, but get up early as well. I've never been much of a morning sleeper. Even when I was a teenager, I got up pretty early. So when I began waking up at 8:30am (which is late for me), I was shocked! But it did tell me something: I've been needing rest.
After a solid 10 days where I did (almost) no work, I got back to my desk on Monday morning and I was so ready. I felt refreshed, rejuvenated, high in energy, and really excited about the next few months.
June is often a busy month for me. It's when brands want to shoot their collections because the sun is (mostly) out in the UK, and the days are their longest. Before I know it, my diary is full. This year, I feel like I'm going to be so ready for that busy month - partly because I know to expect it.
So how often do I take a break? Well, I usually try to take at least a week off at some point around this time of the year. This year is different, because I'm actually going away again on Wednesday - this time to Switzerland to see my parents and family who I haven't seen in almost a year. So I'll be taking another week off work.
What I do make a point of is this:
I take solid time off every evening. I don't work late - ever. I can't. If I work past 6pm, I don't sleep! It's the weirdest thing. My evenings are pretty sacred, and I've worked out what works best for me.
I also try to take solid time off on the weekends (unless I've got a big shoot). You'll see me spending far less time on social media, and far more time chilling out on a weekend. Recharging my batteries is SO important.
Whenever I take a break, my creativity soars. It really is true that if you want to perform at your best, you need to put your self care first. If I'm over worked, over tired, and stressed, I am not as good a photographer.
So I make taking a break a priority, and I encourage you to do the same.
I know it's so difficult, but schedule it in. Make it a non negotiable to care for yourself. Book a week off - even if you don't feel like you should. You DEFINITELY should.
Your art, your business, your team mates, your body - they'll all thank you.
