Is Lightroom glitching lately? Clients not understanding you, and that reel you’ve been making for the last 45 minutes, suddenly disappeared? Nope, it’s not just you – it’s probably just Mercury retrograde.
Mercury retrograde is an astrological event that occurs three to four times a year when the planet Mercury appears to move backward in its orbit (at least from our perspective on Earth).
It’s a period when communication tends to be disrupted, with tech glitches, general misunderstandings, and client communication issues.
However, you can make the most of this energy in your photography business by using it to review and reflect, back up your work, and generally review all your client communication!
These rituals are designed to help you navigate this (often disruptive) time with more ease and awareness.
Ritual one – grounding and setting intentions during Mercury retrograde
This is a quick and easy ritual to follow when dealing with a tech or communication issue.
They are bound to happen, so when you want to throw your laptop at the wall or see the spinning wheel of doom appear on your screen – take a huge, deep breath.
There is no point in fighting it; what matters most is how you hold yourself through those difficult moments. The next time it happens, place your hand on your heart and take a few deep breaths.
Allow that feeling of calm to wash over you!
Panicking and clicking your screen 1000 times could make the issue even worse. Getting angry with a client or being too defensive will not help resolve the situation.
Try to see the root cause of the issue to find a solution. It could be as simple as walking away and taking a break. If not, try to remain calm and remind yourself that it’s most likely to get sorted eventually.
Whatever happens, there’s always an opportunity for learning and growth, so once the issue has been resolved, spend a little time reflecting and seeing the lesson from the situation. You may need to step away from your desk for a little while and let your computer catch up, or you may have to find better ways to back up your files. You may need to add a new clause to your contract or find better communication methods with your client.
No matter what happens, you can do this, and you will come out stronger on the other side 💕
Ritual two – use this time as a reminder to look at your digital clutter and communication.
Another ritual you could do while Mercury is retrograde is to do a simple technology or digital cleanse.
Spend an hour or two to ensure your backups are all in order and clear out any digital clutter! You can delete unnecessary files, organise your Google Drive, tidy up your inbox, and unsubscribe from newsletters that clutter your inbox.
You could also spend some time thinking about any communication gaps in your workflows or processes.
You may need to reword some canned emails or find ways to better communicate with your clients. You may also need to update your contracts or package descriptions to avoid future misunderstandings. Again, it’s about seeing the things highlighted for you during this time and using them to raise awareness and change things.
Ritual three – don’t fight it; if you find yourself experiencing lots of issues or feel super exhausted, prioritise rest!
And lastly, this is a perfect time to slow down and recharge!
It doesn’t matter how busy you are; you can always find a moment to rest. You can start by creating a restful environment for yourself. While working or editing, you could dim the lights and play soothing music (like a soft folk playlist or relaxing sounds of nature). Find ways to make your space as comfortable and cosy as possible—like adding an extra-soft cushion to your seat or a soft plushy carpet under your desk—and take your shoes off.
Take time between editing to reflect on how far you have come and acknowledge the incredible people you have worked with recently.
Acknowledge your efforts and write down any lessons learned or insights gained.
Then, take a short chunk of time to do an activity that will restore your mind and nourish your body – this could be meditating, journaling, or simply lying down and resting your eyes for a couple of minutes.
Focus on letting go of all the tension in your body and allowing your creative energy to recharge!
These help you get through the next few weeks or when you have a little technology or communication issue.
Be curious and gentle. Try not to judge yourself or create meaning. Is there anything you can learn from this experience?
Embracing this season is not just about surviving the potential hiccups but also about finding a way to thrive. By using this time to restore your energy and reconnect with yourself and your business, you can create a strong foundation that will hold you through this season and beyond.
You don’t need to see this time as disruptive but as more of an opportunity to pause, reflect, and renew. So the next time you hit a little glitch and you think it could be Mercury retrograde, have a little chuckle, try to find the lesson, and maybe take a nap, and hopefully it will all be sorted soon 💕💕
If you enjoyed this ritual, you can sign up for my email newsletter, Rituals and Remedies. I love to share my personal practice and rituals for running my business in alignment with the wheel of the year and the natural rhythms of life.
You can also find out more about working with me 1:1 – I love getting under the skin of your business to find unexpected ways to make you shine. I know you have everything you need to create a peaceful, satisfying, and thriving business! Sometimes, you just need a little help seeing your own magic!
