Freelancing and Finding That Elusive Work-Life Balance: My Messy Journey
Is Work-Life Balance Even Possible When You Freelance?
Honestly, that’s a question I’ve asked myself pretty much every day for the past five years. Freelancing sounded amazing, right? Set your own hours, be your own boss, work from anywhere. And don’t get me wrong, parts of it *are* amazing. But the “balance” part? Ugh, what a mess. It’s more like a constant juggling act where I’m always dropping at least one ball, usually involving sleep or social interaction.
I mean, the flexibility is incredible. I can pick my daughter up from school. I can work in my pajamas (and often do, let’s be real). But that freedom comes at a price. The lines between “work” and “life” blur into a chaotic Jackson Pollock painting. Who even knows what’s next? One minute I’m on a client call, the next I’m building a Lego castle, then back to editing a blog post at 11 pm because that’s the only time I had uninterrupted focus. Was I the only one confused by this? Probably not.
The “Always On” Trap (And How I Fell Right Into It)
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is the “always on” mentality. When your office is also your living room, it’s hard to switch off. There’s always *something* that needs doing. An email to answer, a proposal to write, a deadline looming. And because I’m constantly thinking about work, I feel guilty when I’m *not* working. It’s a vicious cycle.
Funny thing is, it started subtly. A quick check of emails “just in case” turned into hours of responding to clients at all hours of the night. I felt this pressure to be immediately available, like if I didn’t respond within five minutes, they’d think I was slacking off. The irony is, my clients probably wouldn’t even notice if I waited until the next morning, but that’s anxiety for you. This “always on” thing? It’s a recipe for burnout. Speaking of which…
The Great Burnout of 2022 (Yeah, It Was Bad)
2022. Just saying the year sends shivers down my spine. I was taking on too much work, saying yes to every project that came my way because, well, money. And I was working all the time. Weekends? What weekends? Sleep? A distant memory. I ended up completely burning out.
I remember one specific moment. I was supposed to be proofreading a document, and I just stared at the screen, completely blank. I couldn’t process a single word. My brain just shut down. I felt this overwhelming sense of dread and exhaustion. It was terrifying. That’s when I knew I needed to make some serious changes. I had totally messed up by pushing myself too hard. I ended up taking a week off (which felt like an eternity), but even then, it was hard to fully disconnect.
Setting Boundaries: Easier Said Than Done (But Necessary)
Okay, so after my epic burnout, I knew I had to set some boundaries. Easier said than done, right? I started small. I set specific work hours and tried my best to stick to them. I turned off email notifications on my phone after 6 pm. Baby steps.
The hardest part was saying “no” to projects. I still struggle with that, honestly. There’s always that fear of losing a client or missing out on an opportunity. But I realized that saying “no” to some things meant saying “yes” to my own well-being. It meant having more time for my family, for my hobbies, and for just… existing without feeling completely overwhelmed.
My (Still Imperfect) Work-Life Balance Toolkit
So, what tools have I found helpful in this ongoing quest for work-life balance? Well, first of all, a good calendar is essential. I use Google Calendar religiously to schedule everything, from client meetings to yoga classes (which I sometimes actually attend).
Time blocking has also been a game-changer. I allocate specific blocks of time for specific tasks. It helps me stay focused and prevents me from getting sidetracked. And honestly, just putting my phone in another room while I’m working has made a HUGE difference. It’s a simple thing, but it works. I also started using Freedom to block distracting websites (I’m looking at you, Twitter).
The Importance of Self-Care (And Why I Still Forget About It)
This is where I always fall short. Self-care. I know it’s important. I know I need to prioritize it. But it’s always the first thing to go when I’m busy. And then I end up back in the burnout zone.
I’m trying to be better about this. I’m trying to carve out even just 30 minutes a day for something that makes me happy. Reading a book, going for a walk, taking a bath (without my phone!). It’s a work in progress, to be sure. But I’m slowly learning that taking care of myself isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
A Recent Mistake: Overpromising and Underdelivering
Okay, so I’m not perfect. I still mess up. Just last month, I overpromised on a project. I told a client I could deliver something by a certain date, and then I realized I had completely underestimated the amount of work involved. I ended up pulling multiple all-nighters to get it done, and I was a stressed-out, sleep-deprived mess.
The lesson learned? Be realistic about my capabilities and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Or even push back on deadlines. It’s better to be honest and upfront than to overpromise and underdeliver. Plus, a cranky, exhausted freelancer isn’t going to do their best work anyway.
Finding My “Why”: Remembering What Matters Most
When I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I try to remind myself why I chose freelancing in the first place. It wasn’t just about the money (although that’s definitely a factor). It was about having more control over my time and my life. It was about being able to spend more time with my daughter.
So, I take a step back and ask myself, “Am I living in accordance with my values?” If the answer is no, then I know I need to make some adjustments. It’s a constant recalibration, a continuous process of figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It might be helpful if you are as curious as I was, you might want to dig into other topics like mindfulness techniques or effective time management strategies tailored for freelancers. There are tons of great resources out there.
The Journey Continues: Embracing the Imperfect Balance
I don’t think there’s a magic formula for work-life balance as a freelancer. It’s not something you achieve once and then you’re done. It’s an ongoing journey, a constant evolution. And honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever have it perfectly figured out.
There will always be days when I’m overwhelmed and stressed. There will always be times when I feel like I’m failing at both work and life. But that’s okay. I’m learning to embrace the imperfections. I’m learning to be kinder to myself. And I’m learning that it’s okay to ask for help. Maybe you’re feeling this too?
And who knows, maybe someday I’ll actually master this whole work-life balance thing. But until then, I’ll keep juggling those balls and hoping I don’t drop too many. I am curious to hear about your experience with freelancing or work-life balance if you want to share.
