Freedom or Fatigue? Navigating Burnout in Freelance Life
Posted by Paul Silver
This is a guest post from copywriter Rosie Buckley
The freelance life is exciting; it’s no secret why people choose this path for their career. You can be your own boss, follow a flexible schedule, and work anywhere you want to. Even though freelancing has many benefits, these can be pushed aside if you start to experience burnout. Luckily, there are ways that you can prevent feeling drained and enjoy your job to the fullest.
Why Do Freelancers Get Burnt Out?
There are many reasons why freelancers can find themselves feeling burnt out. One reason is that some freelancers are self-employed and don’t have the help of a team around them. They may find themselves juggling multiple tasks and putting a lot of pressure on themselves without even realising they’re doing so. Keeping clients happy, meeting deadlines, and getting ahead of their game can all be things on their plate. It’s easy to tell yourself, “I’ll do just one more task,” and then you end up working more hours than you’d planned to. Having a work-life balance is super important to prevent burnout from occurring.
Early Warning Signs You Could Be Burnt Out
You might be so immersed in your work that you haven’t even realised that you’re burnt out.
- Procrastination: Everyone puts off tasks occasionally. But if you find yourself lacking the motivation to do your job every day, this might be a sign of burnout.
- Trouble focusing on tasks: Yes, distractions like a phone and a noisy workspace can prevent someone from working to their full potential. However, if you find yourself struggling to focus every day because you’re feeling tired and drained, then this could be a sign of burnout.
- Lack of passion for your job: Many freelancers enjoy what they do because they choose to get a job in an area of work that they’re passionate about. If you used to love your job, and now you’re enjoying it less, it might be time to reclaim your balance.
How To Reclaim Your Balance
- Try working in a coworking space: Freelancing can be isolating, but using a shared office space gives you the opportunity to work around other people. It’s also a great way to make connections and possibly expand your business.
- Maintain a work-life balance: This can be tricky to do if you’re a work-focused individual, but it’s all about setting boundaries with yourself. Make time for breaks in between tasks, continue to do your favourite hobbies, see your friends, and stick to your work hours as closely as you can.
- Prioritise important work: Be selective about how much you take on. Prioritising important work means you can get essential tasks done, and then you can focus on anything less significant when you have time.
- Be kind to yourself: Stress is sometimes caused by negative self-talk and making out that things are worse than they are. With the right plan and organisation in place, things can often be sorted with a calm mindset. Saying something like “it’s the end of the world” or “I’m so bad at my job” can make a situation seem worse than it is.
More Serious Symptoms of Being Burnt Out
- Feelings of isolation and detachment: If you’re swamped in work, you might feel detached from the world around you. You may also experience a strong sense of needing to be alone to recharge. It’s important to recharge, but doing this too much can lead to self-isolation.
- Physical symptoms like headaches and trouble sleeping: Stress is a common cause of uncomfortable headaches. If you’re hyperfixated on work, thinking about it can also keep you awake at night. If you’re tossing and turning at three o’clock in the morning and thinking about your deadlines, then it’s time to make a change. A lack of sleep can lead to further stress and is very uncomfortable to deal with if it happens often.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, then getting professional help could help you feel like yourself again. If you’re not sure where to start with getting help, you could speak to your GP, who might be able to point you in the right direction. They can recommend useful services to go to for mental health support and give you helpful advice. Remember that your friends and family are your support network. They’ll be happy to listen to you rant or distract you from work by meeting up with you for a coffee!
Conclusion
Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of a person’s health and happiness. By recognising the signs of burnout, freelancers can take the right steps to look after themselves and make sure they can maintain a work-life balance. It’s important to remember that you aren’t alone and you’re doing amazing!
I’m Rosie Buckley, a freelance writer with a passion for writing and a love for exploring diverse topics. I enjoy diving into subjects close to my heart and bringing them to life through engaging well-researched content. I studied English Literature and Creative Writing at university, where my passion for writing was sparked. I have since been working as a part-time freelance writer, constantly learning and growing.