"Pandemic Fatigue"!

Updated: Jan 26, 2022

This image is a stock photo and is not owned by yahumpphotography

Going into the New Year we have no idea what lies ahead for the business of Photography or life in general. To say the least it is a stressful time for people trying to make a living in the arts.!

This is the longest most of us have not worked and it is an adjustment. I been using some strategies to help deal with “Pandemic Fatigue” and the new world of Photography.

1. Be Kind to Yourself and Others – none of us are exempt from Covid-19. We should find some happiness everyday no matter how big or small. When dealing with others remember we are all in the same boat.

2. Stay healthy – Get enough sleep, exercise, and stay connected to family and friends as this helps reduce stress and anxiety.

3. Social Media Balance- Keep informed but take a break from social media and the news. It is a must to know what is going on but being a doomsday person who spends all their time focusing on Covid-19 is unhealthy both physically and mentally.

4. Risk and Benefits- Before you do anything that maybe Covid-19 dangerous think about the specific behaviour and how it directly affects your risk of being infected and your chance of spreading the infection to others.

I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on television. These are some common-sense things I am doing to deal with the stress of the pandemic and not having very much social interaction.

This image is a stock photo and is not owned by yahumpphotography

I am trying to get out of the house every day and do an outdoor activity, but weather plays an important role. No one wants to be out side in a snow storm or heavy rain and wind. Exercise has played an important role in keeping my stress level down. My daily walk helps, and I find that I need to walk different routes to keep in interesting.

Disconnecting from my cell phone and the internet for a day or two helps to decompress from all the pandemic news 24 hours a day. The free time as allowed me to reconnect with some hobbies that I did not have time to pursue.

This time has been valuable for me to look ahead and figure out what direction I will take the photography business in the future. I have taken some online courses and sharpened some of my current skills.

We can only deal with the here & now, look to the future, and not dwell on the past. Many of us have lost so much during this pandemic, but we need to step up, rebuild our lives, and come out of 2020 stronger.

Through my life I have always been grateful for what I have, what I have accomplished, and the wonderful people in my life. I try to take this "Attitude of Gratitude" into my photography and show the beauty of life.

Five Ways To Live With An "Attitude Of Gratitude"

1. Choose to focus on appreciation

2. Choose three things to be grateful for every day

3. Surround yourself with grateful people

4. Be intentional in the present

5. Change your thinking

The simplest way to develop an attitude of gratitude is to choose to appreciate things in your life. Start by writing down or saying three things you’re grateful for each day and go from there.

If you do this consistently, you’ll develop active gratitude habits, and your life will change. You’ll feel happier, more positive, and more excited about life. As well, you will appreciate the people and things that matter most to you.

I find such joy in taking pictures and I am so grateful that I was able to share this joy with my uncle who was also the one who got me interested in photography.