Last Thursday I started my own type of mini-series geared to mommas working at home in a photography business. While last week was geared toward mainly photographers, this week’s topic can really be geared at anyone that works from home, mom’s and dad’s alike.
It is an area that I wrestled with even writing about because it is not necessary outsourcing your money, it is your time. The thing I want to focus on this week and did help me to have balance along the way was leaving my house.
I know that sounds a little crazy, but whenever I was at home, my type A personality would kick into overdrive and I would have to be doing something. Of course work was always staring me in the face! Mind you, e-mails had to be written, invoices sent, and photos needed to be culled and edited, but I just knew that I couldn’t get quality time with my kids because my work was always there.
So one of the ways I outsourced my time was physically leaving my house. I did lots of play dates with friends in the mornings before my kids napped. We did story time at the library, went to our local gym, swimming at the beach, or even on a walk to the park. It was anything I intentionally did with my kids and myself to physically take me away from work. When I left, I had separated myself from the chores that had to be done and the work that I seemed to slip back to.
Now I have to preface this with the backing of this was early into the smart phone days. It is crazy, but even 8 years ago the smart phone was more of a luxury item. We did not purchase our phones until my oldest was in first grade, so I was blessed to not have it as a temptation. I’m sure it would have demanded my time then as it does today, but it was easier to separate myself from work. Now when I am out with my kids I physically have to zip it up in my purse or even shut it off (but this is a topic for another day as I am still wrestling with this device!)
So there is my small piece of wisdom for today. Now I am shutting down and headed out to pick up kids, phone zipped in purse and all!
(And below is from a recent session with some good family friends… mind you we left our house together!!)
Minneapolis Family Photographer