Slaying the Hustle, Embracing Freedom, and Mental Health
Ahoy, my fellow rebels,
Hope you're all basking in the summer glow. Before I set sail on a much-needed vacation, I've got some thoughts to share. In this edition, we'll dive into the unexpected joy one email can bring, my latest Netflix obsession that's a visual feast, the brutal truth about hustle culture and mental health, and the liberating bliss of taking a break. Let's get into it!
One Email Can Brighten Your Day
Ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? Yeah, me too. Last week felt like a parade of setbacks, one after another, marching right over my sanity. Just when I thought I couldn't take any more, an email popped into my inbox.
"One simple email turned a dreadful day into a great one, and that's the magic of this journey we're on together."
It was from a past client, inquiring about an anniversary session. But this wasn't just any session. They had a wild, brilliant idea in mind that instantly made me smile from ear to ear. The sheer excitement and creativity in their message were contagious. In a heartbeat, all the stress melted away, replaced by the pure joy of knowing that my work had left such a lasting impression
As they did when they inquired about their wedding, they blew my mind once again. Because they are awesome, because they love my work so much, and because we've grown to become friends over the years. Yes, they are fellow wedding photographers. Their appreciation and the joy they find in my work are truly priceless. One simple email turned a dreadful day into a great one, and that's the magic of this journey we're on together.
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Currently Watching: Ratched
Alright, let's talk TV. I've been glued to Netflix lately, diving into the dark and twisted world of Ratched. For those who don't know, it's the prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (which, by the way, is a must-watch classic). Ratched is a psychological thriller that explores the origins of Nurse Mildred Ratched, one of the most iconic film villains, played masterfully by Sarah Paulson.
"The show, developed by Ryan Murphy, is a visual feast drenched in stunning, almost surreal aesthetics that scream Kubrick, Anderson, and Tarantino."
Set in 1947, the series follows Nurse Ratched as she begins working at a psychiatric hospital. Beneath her stylish exterior lurks a growing darkness. The show, developed by Ryan Murphy, is a visual feast drenched in stunning, almost surreal aesthetics that scream Kubrick, Anderson, and Tarantino. The over-the-top costuming, bizarre lighting, and theatrical nature make it a must-watch for fans of these directors.
The first season, which debuted on September 18, 2020, features an all-star cast including Sharon Stone, Judy Davis, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Cynthia Nixon. The plot delves into Nurse Ratched's journey from a nurse to a full-fledged monster, with a story rich in psychological manipulation and dark twists.
If you're into gripping stories with complex characters and mesmerizing visuals, Ratched should be at the top of your list. So, if you're looking for something to binge-watch that's a mix of beauty and madness, give Ratched a try. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
Watching Ratched got me thinking about the dark side of our own lives. Sure, we're not dealing with homicidal nurses (I hope), but the psychological thrillers of our everyday hustle can be just as intense. Between chasing deadlines and juggling a million tasks, we often forget to take care of the most important character in our story – ourselves.
While Nurse Ratched manipulates her way through a mental institution, we might be unknowingly manipulating our own mental health with the relentless grind. It's a plot twist we don't need. This brings me to a topic that's incredibly close to my heart – the importance of mental health, especially amidst the glorified chaos of hustle culture.
The Hustle Culture and Importance of Mental Health
Let's get real for a moment. Hustle culture is glorified everywhere, especially for us self-employed folks. The grind, the 24/7 hustle, the never-ending chase for the next gig – it's all celebrated. But what's often left out of this narrative is the toll it takes on our mental health.
"Taking care of your mental health is not a luxury; it's a necessity."
As a self-employed photographer, I constantly battle the fear of missing out on jobs or bookings just because I dared to take a break. It's an endless cycle of pushing harder, working longer, and always being "on." This relentless drive can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a constant state of stress. It's like being on a treadmill that keeps speeding up, and there's no stop button in sight.
But here's the truth: taking care of your mental health is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Without it, the quality of your work and the joy you find in it can suffer immensely. I've had to learn this the hard way, but it's a lesson worth sharing.
First, let's acknowledge the pressure. The fear of missing out is real. The industry makes us believe that if we're not constantly hustling, we're failing. This mindset is toxic and unsustainable. We need to shift our perspective to prioritize mental health as part of our professional success.
Adding to the chaos, we get blasted by all these coaches – be it life, business, or whatever – on all social media platforms. Everyone is promising the "six-figure business" and more, and it can feel like you are not making it, not hustling enough. It's exhausting and disheartening to constantly compare yourself to these seemingly perfect success stories.
But remember, those highlight reels often don't show the whole picture.
I've been close to burnout myself, and I've seen friends hurt from it. It's not just a buzzword; it's a real and painful experience that can take a long time to recover from. Recognizing the signs early and taking proactive steps to prevent it is crucial.
Here are some strategies that have helped me navigate this balance:
Strategies for Balancing Hustle Culture and Mental Health
Set Boundaries: Clearly define your working hours and stick to them. Mention your working hours in your email signatures and use away messages to inform clients of your availability. Encourage others to take their time, much like those "no need to print this email" messages, but focused on mental health.
Example of an email signature: "I'm all about that work-life balance! My working hours are 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday. Your well-being matters, so take your time and respond when you're ready. Let's keep our mental health in check!"Take Breaks: Regular breaks are essential. Step away from your work, go for a walk, or engage in a hobby that relaxes you. These breaks can rejuvenate your creativity and productivity. Plan these breaks in your calendar; I use time blocking to schedule my to-dos and include breaks and personal off-time.
Time-Blockwhut? Time blocking is a simple yet effective technique where you schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks or activities throughout your day. Think of it like creating a timetable for yourself. Instead of multitasking or having an endless to-do list, you dedicate set periods to focus on one task at a time. This helps you stay organized, reduces procrastination, and ensures you make time for breaks and self-care.
Example:9 AM - 11 AM: Client Meetings
11 AM - 11:30 AM: Break
11:30 AM - 1 PM: Editing Photos
1 PM - 2 PM: Lunch Break
2 PM - 4 PM: New Project Work
4 PM - 4:30 PM: Break
4:30 PM - 6 PM: Emails and Admin Tasks
By scheduling your tasks and breaks, you can ensure you remain productive while also taking the necessary time to recharge.
Stay Connected: Don't isolate yourself. Connect with fellow creatives and share your experiences. Sometimes, just knowing you're not alone can make a huge difference. Building a supportive community around you can provide much-needed encouragement and perspective.
A great way to do this is by organizing regular lunch dates. Before the pandemic, I used to have a lunch date once a week with a fellow creative. It's something I need to get back into. You can even post on your socials to see who's up for a lunch meeting – it's a fantastic way to reconnect with people you haven't seen in ages or to meet new creatives. This not only helps in building your network but also provides a refreshing break from your routine.Prioritize Self-Care: Whether it's meditation, exercise, or simply reading a good book, find what helps you relax and make it a regular part of your routine. Self-care is not selfish; it's essential. Treat it as a non-negotiable part of your schedule. Add it to your time-blocking schedule and prioritize it. Push a work task to a later time rather than skipping personal well-being.
Seek Professional Help: If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. There's no shame in getting the help you need. Therapy can offer strategies to cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Mind Your Mindset: Cultivate a mindset that values progress over perfection. Accept that it's okay to make mistakes and have off days. Celebrate small victories and acknowledge your efforts. Positive self-talk can go a long way in maintaining mental health.
Delegate and Automate: Whenever possible, delegate tasks or use automation tools to handle repetitive work. Freeing up your time allows you to focus on what truly matters and reduces unnecessary stress.
How AI Can Help a Wedding Photographer:
Editing: Tools like Imagen can streamline the photo editing process. By learning your style and preferences, AI can handle bulk edits, ensuring consistency and saving you countless hours that you can spend on other tasks or personal time. As a bonus, if you're new to Imagen, use my affiliate link to get 1500 free AI edits and see how it transforms your workflow.
Content Creation: AI platforms like ChatGPT can assist in writing blog posts, social media updates, and even email responses. For instance, you can use it to generate outlines, brainstorm content calendar ideas, or create drafts that you can quickly tweak to fit your voice. Did you know you can feed AI your relevant info to make it learn your tone and voice, especially with the pro version of ChatGPT? Give it a try; it might work for you.
Client Communication: AI can help manage client interactions, such as sending automated responses to common inquiries, scheduling meetings, and follow-ups. This ensures timely communication without the constant need for manual intervention.
Personalized Marketing: AI can analyze client data to help you create personalized marketing campaigns. By understanding your client base better, you can target your marketing efforts more effectively, increasing your chances of booking new clients.
Workflow Automation: Use AI to automate repetitive tasks such as invoicing, appointment reminders, and contract management. This reduces the administrative burden and allows you to focus more on the creative aspects of your work.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your workload and stress levels. Adjust your commitments and priorities as needed. Be flexible with your plans and open to making changes that support your mental well-being.
Time-Blocking: If you're looking to streamline your time-blocking, check out Reclaim.ai. It's an AI-powered scheduling tool designed to optimize your calendar for better productivity, collaboration, and work-life balance. Here's what Reclaim.ai can do:
Automated Time Blocking: Automatically schedule time blocks for tasks, habits, breaks, and travel time. Reclaim.ai can reschedule tasks and routines around priority changes and new meeting requests.
Calendar Sync: Syncs with your primary Google Calendar, along with any additional personal or shared calendars, to provide a unified view of all your schedules.
Smart 1:1s: Simplifies scheduling recurring one-on-one meetings by finding the best time slots for all participants based on priority levels.
Stats and Analytics: Provides insights on your personal scheduling patterns and team performance to help optimize your time management.
Integrations: Works with various communication platforms like Zoom and Slack, task managers like Google Tasks and Todoist, and project management tools like Asana and Jira.
To explore more about how Reclaim.ai can help you, visit Reclaim.ai.
In our quest to succeed, let's not forget that our well-being is just as important as our work, if not more. The hustle isn't worth it if it costs you your peace of mind. Balancing work with mental health is a continuous process, but it's one that pays off in the long run. Let's keep the conversation about mental health open and ongoing. We all deserve to thrive, not just survive.
Vacation!!! Freedom!
Ah, the sweet taste of freedom is just around the corner! I'm beyond excited for my upcoming vacation. It's been a whirlwind of a year, and I can't wait to take a breather and recharge my batteries.
"Bikepacking gives us a sense of adventure and freedom that's hard to match.”
This time, my wife Jana and I are going on a bikepacking tour along the Danish west coast. We did this before in 2022, and it was the most free I felt in years. The open road, the fresh sea breeze, and the endless landscapes – it's pure bliss. I'm looking forward to exploring new places, taking in the breathtaking scenery, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
Bikepacking gives us a sense of adventure and freedom that's hard to match. It's a chance to disconnect from the daily grind, immerse ourselves in nature, and spend quality time together. No emails, no deadlines, just the joy of the journey and the thrill of discovery.
I encourage you all to take some time for yourselves as well. Whether it's a full-blown vacation or just a weekend getaway, make sure you carve out moments of freedom for yourself. We all deserve a break from the hustle and grind. Remember, taking time off is not just beneficial for your mental health, but it also boosts your creativity and productivity when you return.
So, here's to freedom, relaxation, and coming back stronger than ever. Take care, and see you on the other side of my break!
Big hugs,
Björn