Interesting topic for the last day of this business of photography challenge. But I think it’s an important one. So let’s dive right into the exercise!

Question 1: When do you most often feel anxious, overwhelmed, or down? Are there specific situations, environments, or interactions that tend to trigger these feelings?

Social situations lol. Yeah I don’t care for small talk or rooms filled with people I don’t know. (Unless I can take pictures, then I really have no problem – it’s my social buffer).

Question 2: What signs or habits indicate you might be heading toward burnout?

Smoke pouring from my ears.

lol but no, I tend to dig in and just try and work through burnout (which is probably not the right approach).

Question 3: How do these feelings affect your daily life, work, or relationships?

Negatively.

Question 4: What people, activities, or resources help you feel supported and recharged? Who in your life provides emotional support or understands your experiences?

That’s what my photography is for! Also video games and D&D. Of course the answer to part 2 is my wife, I’d also say my dogs (but they are more takers then providers lol).

Question 5: What tools, hobbies or practices help you feel calm, happy, and/or energized?

See above! Also camping.

Ok, on to the action plan part of the challenge!

Step 1: Identify one common trigger and how you can respond to it.

I hate roadblocks, being stalled and not making progress because of things outside my control is so so so frustrating.

How can I respond to it? Use downtime to take more pictures!

Step 2: Name one or two supportive people or groups you can reach out to:

My wife and my friend groups!

Step 3: List one activity or resource you can use when feeling overwhelmed:

My camera, and video games. (I feel like this is getting repetitive).

Step 4: Write a boundary you can set to protect your energy:

That would be the boundary between work and home. Nice thing with my current job is that it can’t follow me home (at least in terms of physical work).