i’ve been trying to use my days off to actually relax for a change. it’s been a hard thing to do. after the first four hours, i get bored and anxious that my story is suffering and wish i was at work. if i work though, i feel burned out and wish i could just stare at a wall for four hours. a frustrating place to be. i’ll figure out the balance eventually.

Yes, it’s easy to get bored when you’re off — you think about pictures and what you’re missing and the sense of urgency to get back in the field. However, it’s crucial that you take plenty of time to slow down and relax. Plus, make sure to sleep enough. The combination of sleep deprivation from activities like late-night blogging (uh, wait, that’s what I’m doing right now) and the constant “on” attitude can really get us into trouble when shooting during the day. In more extreme cases, try to shut out anything photo for awhile and find a new topic to munch on when you’re keeping the couch held down to the floor. It works surprisingly well for me and I generally head back to work feeling refreshed and excited for the day’s activities. What are some other ways in which we all find that perfect balance?