Freelancer Downtime: How to Manage Freelance Guilt
Being a freelancer means having control over your personal and professional life: how you spend your time, when you work, what projects you take on, and ultimately, how much you earn. That’s what I find so appealing and exciting.
However, this autonomy, while having many benefits, can blur the lines between work and life. An irregular schedule, juggling multiple clients or projects, and the pressure to always be available can make it challenging to set clear boundaries. I’m sure we’ve all been victim to that.
Unlike traditional employees with set hours, an office, and a manager to report to, freelancers are their own bosses. This self-management can sometimes make it difficult to allow for downtime, especially when you feel entirely responsible for your income and workload. The unpredictable nature of freelance work can create a sense of urgency to take on as much as possible to ensure financial stability.
However, constantly overloading yourself leads to burnout, which can negatively impact the quality of your work, client relationships, and overall career. Downtime is essential for maintaining your mental health and creativity.
When you’re overworked and burnt out, the quality of your work suffers, potentially resulting in lost clients or missed opportunities. This is something I’ve experienced before - taking on too much work and ultimately not performing my best. Taking breaks allows you to recharge, bringing fresh ideas, a clear mind, and better work to the table - leading to happy clients, more referrals, and, hopefully, more work. Remember, it's quality over quantity!
The benefits of downtime include:
Clearing your mind
Increased productivity
Improved creativity
Better focus and motivation
Greater client satisfaction
Opportunities for reflection
Once you've set aside downtime in your schedule - a fantastic first step - you might still find it hard to truly switch off. It’s common to feel guilty or anxious about not working or not working hard enough, especially when home - usually a place of relaxation - doubles as your workspace. This blurred line between work and rest can make it challenging to disconnect fully.
While it’s normal for freelancers to feel this way, there are ways to manage this guilt and make your downtime more effective, allowing you to recharge properly and be ready for work when the time comes.
Start by setting clear boundaries - both mental and physical. Mentally, adopt a mindset that values rest as much as work. Understand that relaxation is not a luxury but a necessity; it’s essential for recharging and returning to work with creativity and focus. Practise this mindset regularly to make it easier to switch off. Also, remember, you don’t need to ‘earn’ rest or days off - it’s a fundamental part of staying productive. Reframing your mindset around downtime can help you see its importance.
In addition, set physical boundaries by scheduling downtime in your calendar daily and weekly. I’m such a big fan on Google calendar and time-blocking. I block time out before an dafter work hours for my favourite activities (like swimming or the gym) and seeing family or friends.
Aim to disconnect before starting work, take breaks during the day, and have time away after finishing up. Consider taking two full days off a week, along with at least a few weeks off each year, to allow yourself to relax and refresh fully.
For more tips on scheduling downtime, check out our blog post, "How to Plan Your Week as a Freelancer," HERE.
If you still find it difficult to switch off during downtime, consider connecting with other freelancers who face similar challenges. They can offer support, share strategies, and help normalise the need for rest. Being part of a community can also help hold you accountable. You could even plan downtime activities together, like grabbing coffee - as long as you don’t talk about work!
By combining these strategies, you can create a more sustainable approach to freelance work, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. For more tips, industry advice, or to join a community of like-minded freelancers, subscribe to our newsletter HERE.
