Everything I wrote in one week
A week in the life of a comms pro, writer, and photographer. It's not about skills as much as it is about doing the work.
Dear friend,
Last week I wrote about how writing is a perfect match with photography—and why I think every photographer should write.
That made me think about all the times I’ve heard colleagues and mentees tell me they don’t know how to write, or that they don’t have a unique voice.
As I was thinking about this, a Note by
popped up in my feed:It’s that Seth Godin write as you speak tip all over again. Love it.
So, I decided to document my pretty normal workweek, and see what—and how much—I actually write.
I’ll also share the images I took after Thursday’s shoot in Espoo, Finland. Minimalism gets me every time.
Monday is for Substack
Usually, I don’t do client work on Mondays. I start working between 8.30-9.00 am, once either myself or my husband has dropped our son off at daycare.
If I do take on client work on a Monday, I only do it before 10 a.m. The rest of the day is reserved for Substack and running errands.
Our weekly Substack writers’ group begins at 10 a.m., and I try to focus intensely on anything Substack-related for the next two hours.
Now that the photography season is in full swing, I also do some client work in the evenings. I try to avoid this, because I’ve learned that a four-day workweek suits me well.
Before I didn’t realize how much creative work takes—I only focused on what it gives.
That’s why I usually plan my whole week on Monday. The first day of the week gives the whole week a kind of rhythm.
I love Mondays.
It’s been my favorite day of the week for the past 13 years, ever since I became a full-time photographer.
What I wrote on Monday?
Social media posts / Substack Notes / messages / comments: 9
Mainly sharing the love for my Monday blogletter
Substack posts: 1
I always try to start next Monday’s post during our writers’ meeting.
Emails: 2
As you can see, I’ve honed my email game pretty well. I send very few during the week.
Txts/Whatsapp: 6
Asana: 1
One of my clients uses Asana for task management.
Client blogs / www: 1
Tuesday, first day of the work week
For me, Tuesday feels like the first day of the working week. I don’t like it as much as Monday—but I like my job, so Tuesdays are okay.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the busiest days, and I try to get as much done as I can. This suits me fine.
I love the feeling of getting things done, which is why I don’t eat the frog first. Instead, I do tiny tasks—proofreading social media posts, writing handouts, sending emails—things I can tick off my to-do list.
On Tuesday, I also started editing photos from a documentary family shoot I did on Sunday.
What I wrote on Tuesday?
Social media posts / Substack Notes / messages / comments: 12
Mainly for clients
Substack posts: 1
This post
Emails: 5
Txts/Whatsapp: 12
It speeds up
Asana: 4
Client blogs / www: 4
I love to plan ahead! Unfortunately, it’s not always possible.
Wednesday’s team meeting
I have a couple of ongoing comms clients I work with 5-13 hours per week. In total, I bill for about 25 hours per week. I visit one of my comms clients’ offices weekly, and this week I did that on Wednesday.
I always have mixed feelings about leaving my home office. I do my best work here, in a quiet environment without interruptions. But to keep doing my best work, it’s important to meet with the team(s) regularly.
The drive takes 60 minutes each way, so if I don’t listen to an audiobook, I think about the day’s work—or just listen to the radio. I love driving.
What I wrote on Wednesday?
Social media posts / Substack Notes / messages / comments: 26
Substack posts: 1
This post
Emails: 3
Txts/Whatsapp: 6
Asana: 2
Client blogs / www: 2
Thursday, an annoying day off
Okay, it wasn’t a normal workweek. Ascension Day is an official holiday in Finland—except a business owner doesn’t get paid.
I usually don’t mind working weekends either, probably a remnant from my full-time photography days.
On Thursday evening I did a graduation shoot, but didn’t start working until 6 p.m. We hung out with local kids and moms and went to a birthday party.
I admit: public holidays stress me out. I don’t like taking weekdays off. But our family’s schedule is such that I try to sync with my kid. When kindergarten is closed, so is my business.
I was thankful there was still one day left in the work week.
What I wrote on Thursday?
Social media posts / Substack Notes / messages / comments: 3
Substack posts: 0
Emails: 0
Txts/Whatsapp: 6
Asana: 1
Client blogs / www: 0
Friday ends it with style
Friday was my last workday this week. I might have a shoot on the weekend, but I only take one per week these days—and that was already done on Thursday.
I tried to keep Friday light and fun, but honestly, I ended up getting so much done during the five hours I worked efficiently. (I don’t believe anyone can stay productive for much longer than that. Or maybe it’s just the way I’m coded?)
During the off-season, I usually don’t work after 3:30 p.m.—that’s when my kid comes home, and I want to spend time with him. But in peak season, I often edit photos—my favorite thing—after he’s gone to bed.
I was still happy with the photos I took on Thursday. The foggy frames reminded me that I need to get out and shoot more. Personal work is always up close and… personal.
What I wrote on Friday?
Social media posts / Substack Notes / messages / comments: 8
Substack posts: 1
Emails: 3
Txts/Whatsapp: 43
Asana: 5
Client blogs / www: 2
Saturday & most of Sunday without creative work
When the Saturday morning arrived, I was so glad I hadn’t booked a shoot.
We visited my mom, and in the evening I went mountain biking.
Four weeks ago I sent my first weekly blogletter. I decided I wanted to commit to my readers, and to this publication.
During previous weeks I’ve had plenty of time to write the next letter outside of billed hours, but this week was busier. This sentence, right here, was written on Sunday evening at 5:59 pm.
When I went to bed last night, I didn’t tell myself it’d be okay if I skipped this Monday’s blogletter. Instead, I thought: I’ll stay up all night writing this, if I have to.
All in or all out. That’s me.
What I wrote on Saturday & Sunday?
Social media posts / Substack Notes / messages / comments: 7
Substack posts: 1
This post
Emails: 0
Txts/Whatsapp: 18
Asana: 0
Client blogs / www: 0
Let’s wrap up
Last week, I told you I’m a better photographer because I write.
This week, I’ll say I’m a better writer because I text with my mom daily.
I might not write morning pages or scribble in my notebook as often anymore, but I still feel like I’m writing 24/7. Notes, emails, captions, messages. It adds up.
Many years ago, I wished for this kind of working life: to work from my home office, just type away for myself and others. And now I do just that—day in, day out.
Does it feel like I thought it would?
Absolutely not. But I’m still content with what I have now.
See, it’s not about knowing where to put comma or being brilliant with words or having a humongous vocabulary. It’s about doing the work—with words, with voice. Speaking out loud (or quietly), and letting your voice be present in every sentence (except with clients’ 😁)
If you write a lot without noticing, maybe that’s your voice already showing up.
Don’t make it too hard on yourself.
Just write. (As you speak.)
Until next week,
Nani
