As a freelance writer, a flexible schedule is one of the biggest perks of the job, but it’s not always easy to balance your work life and your personal life.
As much as you try, work time can easily seep into personal time and vice versa. It’s the Catch-22 of freelancing: You’re in charge of your schedule, but you don’t get paid unless you get the job done and that often means blurring the lines between office hours and leisure hours.
Ruta Fox, a freelance writer who has published in Vanity Fair, Los Angeles Times and USA Today, knows firsthand how difficult it can be to juggle date night and deadlines.
“If you don’t set boundaries your life will become one big blur, which can compromise your work and make leisure time less than relaxing,” Fox says.
Fox offers these five tips to help freelancers find a healthy work-and-play balance.
Ruta Fox
Don’t Start Work in Your Pajamas
As tempting as it is to work in your sweats and slippers, it’s best to get up, get dressed and plan your day, Fox says.
“Working in your pajamas is unprofessional,” she says. “You are a professional. You wouldn’t show up at a coffee shop or a co-work space in pj’s would you?”
Once you’re dressed and ready for the day, take care of any small chores that might get in the way of working. Do the dishes and toss in a load of laundry if you have to, but once you sit down (in your work clothes) and start working don’t get distracted by chores.
Set a Schedule
Make a work schedule and stick to it, Fox says. Whether you keep bankers’ hours or work later in the day, your schedule is up to you. Try to keep it consistent, though. Easier said than done, right? When you’re working on a big project and up against a deadline it isn’t easy to knock off at 5 p.m., Fox says, and that’s okay but don’t let it become a habit.
Set Family Boundaries
The freelance life can be difficult to define to family and friends, but it’s important to communicate your schedule and your obligations. Sure, you can treat your hubby to a birthday lunch or go to your child’s school play, but make sure the family knows that work time can only be interrupted for big occasions.
“Let the family know when you are working you are working,” Fox says. “Otherwise you won’t be able to give either your work or your family the full attention they deserve.”
Plan Vacations
If you were working from a cubicle you would have vacation time set aside. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have that same privilege as a freelancer, Fox says. She suggests taking frequent mini-vacations to stay on top of your creative game. A long weekend is sometimes all you need to recharge.
Continue to Socialize
Most freelancers work from home, which means little to no human interaction. You have to make an effort to add a dose of water-cooler talk to your routine, Fox says. Go beyond your Facebook friends and schedule a lunch or a dinner at least once a week. It keeps you from feeling isolated and gives you something to look forward to.
“Plus, you never know who you’ll run into,” Fox says. “It’s good to be seen out and about. You could garner valuable connections that lead to more work.”
How do you balance your freelance life? Offer another tip in the comment section below.
