The Epidemic of Being Busy

Cedar Falls / Cedar Rapids / Eastern Iowa Boudoir Photographer

If you’re a business owner, you probably know the joys of being busy. Or rather, the pressure of making sure everyone on social media knows you’re busy. I remember in January when I was shooting sessions but not getting releases to share so I asked a Facebook group for photographers, “How can I look like I’m busy without having content to share?”

I spent so much time trying to pull off the allusion of looking busy and productive. Posting at peak times, getting people to like my Facebook page, etc. This past summer, to put it frank, I decided I didn’t give a shit about looking busy.

Maybe it’s a boudoir photographer thing, unlike family photographers, but I do not share a lot of the sessions I do. I am so blessed that so many of my clients grant me permission to share! That means that I may not always have a new post of the day or a new blog a day.

In the midst of busy Fall season (think tax season for accountants and you know how I feel right about now), I’m freaking busy. I’m busy taking photos, meeting with clients to shop for their session or show them their images, sitting at my computer editing or responding to emails and inquiries, or you know, being a mom and a wife and a human being.

Finding those small moments for myself is not always easy. Lately, for the past nine weeks to be exact, that safe space has been the gym. I’m finding peace and quiet and a place where I can channel all that pent up energy. I thought that stepping back from dog grooming for health reasons would mean more time for me to heal and focus on my family. What I have learned is that when I’m overworked, my family and my clients suffer.

I think it’s time we stopped aspiring to be busy. Those in between moments of clarity and rest are so valuable for our minds, bodies and spirit. I would rather make sure that I’m taking care of my clients than spend time trying to build up my social media. Connecting with my clients and making sure they’re getting taken care of is my top priority.

This is why I preach self-care in my group. You simply cannot pour from an empty cup! You know what self-care looks like for you, so if that’s going to the gym, taking a bath, going on a walk, grabbing fast food for dinner instead of cooking, freaking do it. You deserve it, even if you think you don’t.

I’m not gonna lie, recently I’ve been struggling. I overworked myself to the point where I’ve been struggling to eat and sleep. Never again will I let myself do that. There were two weeks where I shot ten sessions. TEN. Full time for me is three sessions a week since I’m so hands-on with my sessions, just to give you an idea of how outrageous ten sessions was.

I overstretched myself and I paid for it. I’ve now booked out the remaining part of the year and closed my books for the year and let me tell y’all, I feel fantastic about it. I feel accomplished and proud of myself to be doing this full-time but also accomplished in learning my limits and saying no.

I’m currently looking forward and planning for my Black Friday sale coming up, as well as preparing for my trip to Canada next summer to shoot boudoir and party for three days straight! I’m so excited for all that I’m going to learn and put to use when taking care of my clients!

When was the last time you treated yourself to some REALLY GOOD self-care? What did you do? Tell me below in the comments of this blog and I’ll choose a winner at random to win a $15 Starbucks (or Caribou Coffee if you prefer) giftcard!

Want to get on my calendar for next year? I currently have about half of January booked so if you’re planning on getting in in time for Valentine’s day prints please don’t wait until last minute! Contact me to set up your session!

With Love,

Lexy