She Strengthens

Embracing the Reality of Freelance Life

As a newcomer to the world of freelance writing, I had grand illusions about how I would structure my working day. I envisioned rising early, exercising, meditating, and then sitting at my tidy desk, tapping away on my laptop for hours on end. But reality had other plans. Instead, I found myself binge-watching Netflix, scheduling unnecessary meetings, and getting lost in social media.

The Freedom to Create, the Pressure to Perform

It wasn’t until I started talking to other freelancers that I realized I wasn’t alone in my struggles. We all seemed to be falling into the trap of applying traditional 9-to-5 measures of productivity to our freelance work. But the truth is, even in traditional jobs, people often spend more time on “busy work” and less time on actual work.

Breaking Free from Unnecessary Expectations

As freelancers, we need to give ourselves permission to adjust to our new way of working. We need to accept that we’ll have ebbs and flows in our energy and focus. And we need to stop comparing ourselves to others, because everyone’s journey is unique.

Lessons from Experienced Freelancers

To gain a deeper understanding of the common challenges freelancers face, I reached out to experienced writers, publicists, and illustrators. Here are some of the valuable lessons they shared:

• Take time to adjust: Don’t expect to hit the ground running. Give yourself permission to flounder and learn from your mistakes.
• Work smarter, not harder: Focus on investing your energy and attention into your work, rather than trying to work longer hours.
• Have an off-day plan: Learn to recognize when your energy is flagging and have a plan in place to recharge.
• Give yourself more time than you need: Respect your own working pace and don’t overpack your schedule.
• Beware of time vacuums: Be mindful of distractions like social media and unnecessary meetings, and find ways to minimize their impact.
• Give yourself permission not to work: It’s okay to take breaks and conserve your energy. In fact, it’s essential.
• Understand the power of a deadline: Use deadlines to your advantage and stay focused on your goals.
• Remember learning is still working: Invest in your own learning and development, and make time for self-reflection and growth.
• Make some financial decisions: Set income targets and track your progress to stay on top of your finances.
• Know you’re doing better than you think: Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that you’re working harder than you think.

The Power of Community

Freelancing can be a lonely journey, but it doesn’t have to be. By connecting with other freelancers and sharing our experiences, we can support each other and create a sense of community. So, let’s be good to each other, and to ourselves. And remember, a good nap can work wonders for your productivity!