When it comes to running a business and having a family – things can get a bit muddled. Especially when you have dinner to cook, a house to clean, children to get here and there, along with 5 weddings on your hard-drives to edit, and a double header coming up. It can get overwhelming. And fast. But hey- we've all been there. And isn't this kind of busy-ness better than the alternative? You know – having no weddings to edit and no weddings coming up?

If you're struggling with all the juggling this wedding season – here are three life saving tips that can help get you through with your sanity, and family, intact.

1. Meal Plan / Prep.

   Meal planning can be a game changer. Sitting down at the beginning of the week and planning out your meals saves you time, and sanity – from having to stress out about what you guys are going to eat, and it also saves you money at the grocery store! All the dollars you can save by not picking up more than you need is definitely a game changer. You can also take this game changer to the next level by prepping your meals ahead of time. When you're making chicken pot pie (shout out to the Southerners out there! We hear it's a staple for y'alls) – make two. Or three! Freeze the extras for when the days are long and you're in dire need of a ready-made meal. You can also meal prep your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But if that's just too much planning for your creative brain, rest assured, there's always pop tarts.

2. Blog Ahead.

   Writing blog posts ahead of time can be a huge time saver. If you're in the writing zone, write three or four blogs so that when you're busy pushing out those edits, your blog is already taken care of. To kick this up a notch, go ahead and make that social media calendar you've been needing to settle down on. You can plan out your blog, Instagram and Facebook posts in advance to help you when you're in need of time and motivation. Having 3-4 extra blog posts written as saved drafts can always get you out of a pinch! And if you're really struggling- have a few guest posts. Invite your blogger friends to help you out and get a feature spot to reach a new audience.

3. Rest days.

   We all need rest. Usually we photographers take rest days when it's forced upon us – you know, when you get the flu or some other unplanned sickness. But really, rest days do us a LOT of good if they're planned. Take a day off. Schedule your posts, set your vacation responder on your email and unplug for the day. Have at least one of these a month and enjoy a good book that's not about business. Or re-watch The Notebook for the millionth time. Binge watch Netflix with popcorn and wine. Or take it outside and have a day full of R&R poolside with the kids. Whatever you do to rest and relax, make sure to plan to take the time to do it. It'll do wonders for your life and your business.

As with all things – a plan is a road map to success! Success in your business, but also in your personal life. It doesn't sound very fun or spontaneous. But do you know what is better than fun and spontaneity? Money in the bank, food on the table, and happy people to share your success with!

PC: The talented Cassie Jones of CassieJonesPhotography.com

Cassie Jones

Cassie Jones is a wedding photographer located in Romance, Arkansas. She loves peanut butter M&M's, vanilla lattes, rapping in the car, her two children and her husband.