Freelancing: How to have guilt-free getaways
When some people think of freelancers, they picture someone tucked away in a cozy corner of a coffee shop, typing away on their laptop for a few hours before heading home to post about their work day on Instagram. However, as a self-employed person myself, I can tell you that my day is rarely that peaceful - things go wrong, deadlines get moved up, and software doesn't always behave (not cool, Adobe!).
When I was making the jump to self-employment, I read a lot about how entrepreneurs worked around the clock and I thought I wouldn't be successful unless I worked every waking hour. However, I've found that taking time off is crucial for my productivity and mental health. According to a study, only 1 in 4 freelancers in the UK take an annual holiday, and of those who do, 45% take their work with them. Personally, I don't need a long vacation in the sun. I'd much prefer to have a staycation here on the Isle of Man and catch up with friends and family, or take a weekend trip from time to time. My husband is also self-employed and we're on the same page - the idea of sitting by the beach for a week or two would drive us crazy. We prefer a weekend getaway as a family.
As freelancers, we work to our own schedules, but that doesn't mean we don't need to plan ahead like any other business. You can't just disappear in the middle of a project and assume your out-of-office email will be well-received. It's important to be courteous to your clients and plan your projects around your holiday to avoid missing deadlines or project proposals. After all, you wouldn't want a plumber to disappear to Venice in the middle of installing your new bathroom without giving you any notice, right?
We set up our own businesses for many reasons, and one of those reasons is the freedom to live life on our own terms. So, it doesn't seem fair that we're tied down by freelancing and putting off holidays. Taking time off is essential for our well-being and can actually improve our productivity. Two weeks off at Christmas really sets me up for the new year. Before diving into January, I set aside a day to catch up on emails and upcoming projects so I know what's what, and it makes all the difference.