Self Reflection: Dealing with Slow Times In our CAREERS

     I’ve been fortunate enough to manage to keep busy for the most part during my time working in the film industry in LA. But I’ve found that when you’re working in film you’re either way too busy, on set 6-8 days in a row before getting 1 or 2 days off, or barely working at all.. 1-2 days a week or sometimes none at all. Normally after a long string of jobs, I embrace these slow times. However after about 4 days I start to become a bit anxious. When will I start working again? What should I do with all this free time??

​ During these slow times it’s especially easy to fall into a slump.

 Free time -> Social media consumption -> Jealousy on how “great” your peers are doing -> Lowering your self confidence -> Overall worse decisions and lower productivity

     When work is going well and you’re making a ton of money it’s far too easy to turn your brain off and forget that you need to find new and creative ways to push yourself. The sudden shift from working 12 hour days every day to having no days of work on the horizon is always a hard transition. It’s easy to be fall into despair and self pity in times like these, but remember that it’s up to you to create your own opportunities. These slow times are your chance to do so!

Here’s some ideas of things I try to do while I'm dealing with a slow month:

• Go out for lunch with a peer (if you aren’t already broke)
• Read a book/magazine
• Cook a meal/meal prep
• Go on a hike
• Visit a museum
• Work on a experimental project to test a new technique
• Work out
• Build something
• Go to the movies
• Call your mom
•Meditate

Things to avoid doing:
•Facebook
•Instagram
•sleeping in for every day (1 or 2 days is okay)

There's many things I didn't put down because there's many things I still need to learn about myself and what works for me. I'll attempt to update this list as time goes on.