I Took A Weekend Off And The World Didn’t End
As freelance writers, especially when we’re starting out, we often find ourselves working even longer hours than when we had a 9 to 5 job. I know I did – and still do sometimes. It’s a far cry from the dream of setting your own hours. I found myself working during the day, in the evenings and on weekends for quite a long time.
On the plus side, I was able to do phenomenal amounts of work and I boosted my freelance writing income considerably. On the minus side, I didn’t spend much time with my family and I was always tired. Something had to give – and I didn’t plan for that something to be me.
I decided to do something about it. After all, if I plan correctly, then I shouldn’t need to work every evening and weekend. So I worked out how much I wanted to write in a day and I took jobs that would average out to that level.
It’s amazing what a difference it has made. In most cases, I complete my work while my daughter’s at school, leaving plenty of time for supervising homework and playing. And although I usually do a late night email check (mainly because I have some UK clients), I no longer spend all night at the computer. Instead, I catch a movie, chat with my family and relax.
At the weekend, I go to the beach or the coffee shop, and only work for a couple of hours. And guess what? It makes me a much more effective freelance writer. I’m not as tired and I have more balance in my life. And the world didn’t end. How have you changed your working practices since you first started writing?
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Get Paid To Write Online by Sharon Hurley Hall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. Copyright for posts written by guest authors remains with them.Useful info
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I still work constantly but am getting to a point where I’m taking the odd day or half day off. I like where you’re at though and because I’m raising my rates and now have a team that I can outsource to, maybe in a few months I’ll have a “no working on sundays” rule again. That would be SO nice
Right now I’m at the point where…because I took most of last weekend off, I’m playing catch up and getting exhausted. I know that’s not ideal so I’m hoping to work it out so that I can pass work off when I plan to be off and not suffer for a few days afterwards
Once again, Sharon, you are my hero! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning, so tired that my brain is whirling in useless circles… After so many years in the freelance game, you’d think I’d have learned to pace it right. Maybe some of us just secretly like to believe that the world really *would* end if we let go for a weekend?!
This is so on target, it ought to be the first post every writer reads when they start to freelance. It can be frightening, at first, to give yourself some slack. However, as you point out, in the end taking a break leads to better quality work.
Took your advice, Sharon — I’m just back indoors from two (soul-restoring) hours of digging around in the yard and garden. Feel smarter already…
*chuckles* THANK YOU for this post, Sharon! I’ve been trying not to feel guilty for taking ALL of yesterday off (Except the hour I worked on my novel). It’s strange how we can get into a pattern of feeling completely unproductive if we haven’t had a true focus for the day. I often feel under-accomplished, like I should work more than I do.
I have to remind myself that if I push myself harder I’ll end up tearing apart my career and myself. My Bipolar doesn’t take kindly to 24/7 structure. I have to be very stern about what I take on each day and let everything else go.
Of course, it means I’m always feeling like I’m falling behind. I guess it’s better than being committed for a complete mental and physical breakdown.
Thanks for the wonderful guidance.
It’s nice when you can do that, isn’t it, Dana? I still have weeks where I play catchup, but I guess I’m more relaxed about it all. I read an inspiring post yesterday about a writer who works four hours a day and made $4500. There’s a goal to aim for
I think we’re all prone to that, Jen, but it helps to let it all go sometimes and discover that life goes on and we get to be a part of it instead of being chained to our desks.
It’s amazing how long it can take to learn that, Laura, but it pays off in the end.
Glad to hear it, Jen.
We all need some relaxation, even if it’s doing another job. I’m about to treat myself to an IM chat with a friend.
lol, Rebecca. I know the feeling. It’s been a difficult lesson at times, but I’ve learned to give myself permission to take some time off. Overall, I think that decision has improved my life – and my daughter’s life.