It’s slow here right now, as I suspected. One client is sending work by the bucketload, but others are silent. I’m hoping it’s simply that it takes a week for them to get back into work mode and start aligning those projects again.
It won’t matter. My mother informed me she’s coming to stay with me next week. Love seeing Mom. Hate missing work right after I’d taken two weeks off for the holidays. But on my list of priorities, family is first. Therefore, I shall push back those feelings of “won’t meet my monthly goals” and entertain her. Then again, I may get a story out of our escapades. And I won’t tell her that I promised one client I’d check in nightly for any revisions/updates.
Maybe it’s the fear of starvation, but I can’t switch off the freelance mindset. Do you have this trouble? My hair’s grown about four inches since the last cut. I keep meaning to take time off to get to the salon, but work gets in the way. The dentist, luckily, was scheduled the week I took off for the holidays. But the daughter’s eye appointment wasn’t, and since I’m paying, I had to be there with her. Then yesterday she needed an SLR camera for her next course. Again, I’m paying, so I had to go with her. Tomorrow, we take her across the state and back to school, stopping overnight at the parents’ and picking up Mom (school and Mom within 20 miles of each other). It’s a weekend, so I’m okay with it. But imagine if I allowed myself to work weekends. I’d be typing on a laptop in the car (someone else driving, of course).
Because I have 9-to-5 clients, I work weekdays (and usually from 8-to-5ish). For that reason, I’m stingy with my weekends and I will not work over holidays. But oh, the guilt if I miss a weekday, even for a few hours! Next week I’ll be in my own professional hell because my mind will keep wandering back to work. I know myself. I can’t go fishing in Ontario without spending the first day thinking about what client may be having some sort of writing emergency.
Anyone else suffer this kind of guilt? How do you combat it?
I don’t have that kind of guilt because I don’t work “normal” hours. I work the hours I wand and need to work to get it done. I take floating days off, and, as far as I’m concerned, the reason I freelance is so I have a flexible schedule.
Also, remember, I’ve worked in theatre all my life. I’ve NEVER had Saturdays and Sundays off. In fact, when I do, I hate them because everyone’s rushing around, totally stressing about having to have a good time on their “days off”.
I create each day, each week to suit the deadlines and the rest of my life. Getting caught up in any kind of schedule, other than yoga first thing in the morning and my first 1K of fiction for the day, is counterproductive to me and works against the reasons I freelance in the first place.
My schedule is MINE. I get to create it to suit ME. As long as I meet my contracts, it’s no one else’s business when that happens.
That should read “want” not “wand” — my Freudian slip is showing.
I feel guilty about that most days I’m doing anything except working or looking for work. Even if I’ve purposefully scheduled time off and tell myself to enjoy it.
Boy do I know that feeling! Right now I’m apartment-hunting which is very necessary but takes a huge chunk of my time and attention. But I think that once I’m settled in a new space, I’ll be more productive. *hopefully*
There’s your financial goal that you aspire to, because “I CAN make this much money and I want to create a cushion for myself.” And then there’s the fiancial goal that is what you actually need to pay your expenses. Hopefully they’re far enough apart to give yourself some wiggle room.
Perhaps the “wand” is a peek into your next novel? :)))
I agree in theory, Devon. I love calling my own hours. But in most cases, my clients are here 9-to-5. I try to make myself available on their timeframe, though not always. The guilt is just born into me. Plus I’m a recovering Catholic… ;))
Totally true, Susan. Can and need are often too separate, aren’t they?
I’m going to relax more this year, Dont Forget to Write. It’s just smarter and better for my overall peace of mind.
I have trouble shutting off the freelance switch too. I make myself take off most weekends and holidays. Otherwise, I’d probably work them too.
And you’re not alone in the slowdown. It was a fairly slow week for me too.
Finally, if you do drive cross state today, be careful. We’re supposed to get a doozy of a storm up here. That’s on top of all the ice, which has rendered me currently stuck at the top of my driveway.
Thanks, Kathy. :))
You’re suffering from Freelancers Scrupulosity (-locity?). There are support groups. 🙂
Best word verification ever here today: unpoo!