Try approving of yourself and see what happens
Louise Hay
When I first became a freelance copywriter, I knew there would be some hurdles, like finding good clients (who actually wanted to work with me), staying focused, and of course, learning not to inhale an entire pack of biscuits now there weren’t prying eyes watching my every move. Ah, the sweet, crumbly taste of freedom! But there are two feelings I didn’t bank on (plot twist!) – freelancer guilt and isolation.
Fortunately, there are some great ways to manage these unwelcome guests so you can actually enjoy working for yourself. But it takes effort. Even after a decade of freelancing, I still have to remind myself not to let these feelings crash my girl boss party.
Here are some key things to know.
Freelancer Guilt
Non-freelancers often think being your own boss must be one of the easiest things in the world – where we’re calling all the shots while lounging in coffee shops. What they don’t see is the internal monologue freelancers face reprimanding us for daring to have a break. But if it’s a lifestyle that supposedly provides more freedom, why don’t we use it?
Freelancers, self-employed professionals and business owners can struggle when it comes to taking advantage of the perks on offer, feeling the need to justify any break, holiday or staring-out-of-the-window session (which DEFINATELY counts as brainstorming).
So, we often work harder and longer hours to silence the nagging guilt about the freedom we should be enjoying. Is it just me, or does that seem completely mad?
It’s okay to choose a different way.
If you’re meeting deadlines, keeping clients happy and earning the right amount of money to satisfy your needs, why are you applying stricter constraints on yourself than an employer would?
A few weeks ago, my husband rang me on a Friday lunchtime and said he’d got on top of everything, was at a sensible point to finish until Monday and really didn’t feel like working the afternoon…but he had to…because he’s employed by a company (cue the violin music).
This is the benefit of being your own boss.
If you stop for the afternoon and decide to do some housework, see a friend or by some miracle, RELAX – who’s going to stop you? The ghost of your old boss?
As freelancers, we have to unlock the chains and free ourselves from what’s expected in normal workplaces. After all, we do so much ‘work’ that isn’t paid for like invoicing, quotes, phone calls and vacuuming biscuit crumbs under our desks (yum yum), so I think we’ve more than earnt the right to guilt-free time off. Just give yourself permission to do it!
Pro Tips for Freelancers:
- Find a routine that works for you – Enjoy a 9 to 5? Great! Or are you more of a ‘I work best after midnight when the world is quiet and mysterious’ type? Perfect! Freelancing means you can create a schedule that fits your life (and snack breaks).
- Your clients have no idea when you’re working. They don’t know if you wrote their blog at 6am when you were full of beans or 8pm when the kids finally passed out. Your working pattern is your choice.
- Be disciplined about when you don’t want to work. If firing up the Mac on a Sunday has left you feeling burnt out and shrivelled up like a raisin by Monday – stop! Block out and protect time that isn’t for work, then guard it like it’s the last chocolate in the box.
- Want a day off, but you’re worried about clients needing you? They probably won’t. But if it helps, check emails and messages once or twice a day (even to just let clients know when you’ll look at their request). Or, slap on that out-of-office auto-response like a badge of honour. As for weekends? My emails are disabled on my mobile, and I turn my work phone off – with a strict ‘no peeking’ rule. It’s a game-changer! Clients soon learn the boundaries you set.
- Going away? Let clients know. If I’m going away for a few days or weeks, I’ll always let clients know in advance, so they understand anything sent during that time won’t be looked at until I return. You won’t catch me looking at emails while on the beach! Send an initial direct email with a ‘dates to put in your calendars’ instruction, a reminder in the build-up and an out-of-office message letting everyone know when you’ll be back to respond to enquiries.
- Work FEWER hours with increased productivity. I often find working less hours = the same work completed. If I know I have less time allocated for tasks, I work more efficiently, procrastinate less and stay focused on tasks. And I’m more refreshed to do this successfully thanks to having increased freedom from ‘work mode’.
The more I release myself from the prison of what’s considered ‘normal’, and do what’s right for me, the more creative I feel. A freelance copywriter with a positive attitude and mental well-being is going to be in a better position to keep clients happy too!
Freelancer Isolation
Guilt is one side of the coin, but when you realise you have the true freedom to work and live as you define, there is another feeling that can creep in. Isolation.
I’m someone who loves working alone. On the whole, I really don’t miss working in a busy office – no more constant interruptions, annoying co-workers, awkward small talk or lack of flexibility. I LOVE freelancing.
But even I feel isolated at times – nobody to share the burden of my business with (other than my poor husband), the pressure on my shoulders to make an income, the feelings of instability (hello feast or famine cycle!) and that sudden rising panic when you realise you haven’t left the house or spoken to anyone else for a week.
Never underestimate the importance of building small networks, getting support from other freelancers and tackling loneliness head-on.
Don’t forget to:
- STAY IN TOUCH: For those of you with long-term clients, think of them as part of your team, and they may well consider you part of theirs. I regularly check-in with those I have ongoing working relationships with, having weekly or monthly catch-ups which can replace the normal working interactions you may be missing.
- TAP INTO YOUR FREELANCE NETWORK: I work with web designers and SEO consultants who bring copywriting clients to my door. Many of them are freelancers themselves, having been in the game for years (often decades) longer than I have. When I’ve had tricky situations, I haven’t been afraid to ask those I know well for a spot of advice from someone with more experience in the game.
- TALK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY: My nearest and dearest find my lifestyle fascinating at times because it breaks free of so many of the constraints they’re used to. But that doesn’t mean they can’t relate to the issues you have. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than putting the world to rights over a glass of wine or a cuppa. I’m very lucky that one of my closest friends also freelances, so we often check in with each other during the day. Finding a kindred spirit can help with the sense of camaraderie you’re missing – and they’ll often appreciate a listening ear too.
- JOIN ONLINE COMMUNITIES: If you’re a copywriter (or any type of freelancer!), there are tonnes of online communities where like-minded folk come together. You could also search for freelancer meet-ups in your local area, and there are plenty of coaches and mentors who offer services for people just like us. If you’ve completed any online copywriting courses, they often have member areas with lots of handy tips and advice from other freelancers. You’ll soon see that everyone comes at problems from different angles – there’s nobody out there who knows it all.
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE: It’s easy to feel isolated when there’s nobody around. You could try working somewhere else like a co-working space or even a coffee shop, but I find human interaction that’s not work related also works a treat. This could be anything from saying hello around my local neighbourhood on a lunchtime stroll, joining a weekly club or calling a friend. Do something that helps you feel like it’s not just you and your laptop for company.