Comments on: Self-inflicted Depression

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:23:00 +0000

More than once, I've received replies where you're supposed to go check out a site "to see if you'd want to write for them" and you have to subscribe or they're selling something. And there's the ads that when you reply, you receive some sort of invitation to join a writer's site. That one kept checking up on me. They emailed several times "reminding me" (???!!!) to subscribe and you have to pay for the service!!! ;-( I finally emailed back and told them to take. me. off. that. mailing. list!!!!

It does make a person sad and bonkers, I suppose. Imagine that!

Anyway, I hope you're cheered up now Lori!

And... Devon, so sorry to hear about your cat. It's never fun when a fuzzy/furry friend is not in good health.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Dana, I was floored when I read your post about that team member plagiarizing! Ridiculous behavior, and it doesn't belong in ANY economy, much less this one.

Amanda, it's sickening, isn't it? Reading those ads and wondering exactly where the real work is....

Maybe this is why Mardi Gras was invented - too many writers with mid-February blues. :))

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:05:00 +0000

This is exactly how I've been feeling lately. More and more, there are ads for free content and phishing scams, and trolling those boards day in and day out is deflating, to say the least.

I've actually been thinking of delving into more fiction and creative writing, as at least I'll get some sort of thrill out of it. Strange times, these.

By: Dana Prince

Dana Prince — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:11:00 +0000

It must be time for the annual February freelancer's depression...

I've had a few waves of hopelessness this month.

I had hopeless and helpless moment a few weeks ago after a few rough days and wanted to have a good cry and go back to the corporate world where you finish at 5:pm, say "tgif",get to go to the dentist twice a year for 'free' and go out for lunch with the girls, etc.

But thankfully it didn't last long. I some great feedback from a few clients and got a new gig and then a $150 bonus from a client and it was enough to pull me out of the depths.

Then last week a writer I subbed to plagiarised and that could cost me my reputation and a big client (who thankfully forgave me) so I had another hopeless/helpless moment thinking that I should pack in the team and only be responsible for myself because the team only takes the fun/good paying stuff and ignores my messages when I want them to write about safety equipment, industrial screws, and the like.

Then a team member pulled me out of a jam with a tight deadline and I was thankful for the team.

Sheesh this gig can be a bit of a roller coaster. Sheesh am I ever babbling today. Yep, February blues.

:)

Hope something good happens to pull you out of the depths, Lori.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:41:00 +0000

Eileen, I have found ongoing work via Craig's List and some job boards, but like I said, these are few and far between. I don't write them off completely, but I don't want to make these places part of my regular routine.

Michelle and Carrie, thanks. I felt better once I exercised and meditated. Just didn't want to spend the weekend worrying about work. Ugh!

Kim, maybe it's also a bit of the economic atmosphere creeping in - what do you think? We listen to gloom-and-doom all day and then we go looking for work. It's enough to make you want to find a tall bridge with a sudden stop at the bottom! LOL

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Lori, this is kismet. I feel very much out of it today. I wouldn't call is depressed exactly, but it is a srt of hopelessness. I'm quite frankly pissed with myself because I've allowed a client to suck away my time on a project that should have been completed last month. As a result, I've slack up on my marketing efforts and am really feeling it now. Ouch. Lesson learned.

BTW, I wouldn't say that I'm a fan of Craigs List and other job sites (I don't do bidding sutes though), but I have been working with a client for over a year that I contacted from Craigs List - one of my biggest, so I stop by there from time to time as well, because you just never know.

I'm going to get out in the sun and get some exercise in a couple of hours when I walk to pick up the kids from school. That usually makes me feel much better.

@Devon: So sorry to hear about your cat. I hope everything's okay.:(

By: Carrie Wilson Link

Carrie Wilson Link — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:23:00 +0000

No matter what career we’re in, there’s that occasional sense of “Why bother?” Hope yours passes and stays away for a good long time.

By: Michelle Miles

Michelle Miles — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:57:00 +0000

I’ve scanned a few of the job boards and I have to tell you, I’m not head over heels about any of the postings there. I’ve been trying to come up with other ways to freelance. Even though I’m not actively seeking, I’m actively thinking. I’m trying to put a plan into motion. 🙂

I’m sure things will get better for you!

By: Eileen Coale

Eileen Coale — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:47:00 +0000

IMHO, Craigs List and other job boards are hopeless. That’s why I just don’t go there.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:33:00 +0000

Devon, I got two jobs from those pay-to-view job boards. Two. One lasted about a year, so it justified my sticking around to find the second job, which was a ghostwriting gig (one of the two I've done that's actually worked out). Do I think I needed that board to find ongoing work? No way. I could've save my money and found work elsewhere that paid the same or better.

Sorry the cat's sick! My prayers to you that it's a quick recovery.

You'll find work. You're good and you've put in the legwork. Meditate on it. It'll come. :)