There is a belief, part myth and part truth, that freelancers take breaks whenever they want to. Many will have left the corporate 9-to-5 to pursue the dream of flexible working, the chance to go on holiday whenever the opportunity arises, and a working day that lasts four hours rather than eight.
However, when you work for yourself, the reality is that it can be harder to take time off than it was in full time employment. Freelancers are therefore at risk of burnout. This might be especially true when transitioning from one project to another, or when trying to meet deadlines prior to holiday periods. So, how can you make sure you take breaks while also meeting client’s demands?
The Risks of Missing Breaks
It is easy to plough on with work, ignoring the signs of burnout until you are wiped out by brain fog, flu or exhaustion. Sara Schonfeld (@SaraSchon), Associate Editor at HarperCollins, went viral when she said ‘I had a therapist who once told me, “if you don’t schedule a break, your body will take one for you. And it probably won’t be at a convenient time’.
In my early days of freelancing, I ignored the warning signals of exhaustion and was definitely at risk of my body or mind forcing me to take a break. I loved being self-employed because it offered the flexibility I needed with two young children, but I also needed the experience and would therefore take on more than I had capacity for. This meant working late nights once the children were in bed, early mornings before they woke, and weekends when they were occupied with friends or clubs. I wasn’t working 9-to-5, but I was certainly working more than full-time hours.
With experience, I am learning to schedule the breaks I need. The school holidays help with this, a steady reminder to block days out so that I can spend them, uninterrupted, with my family. I have also become better at looking ahead, speaking to clients about any upcoming periods of leave and scheduling work around my days off to make sure everyone is happy.
Knowing When to Recharge
The problem with not taking breaks is that you don’t get time to recharge physically or emotionally. This will lead not only to grumpiness, but to reduced creativity, too.
When you’ve been on a professional treadmill for some time, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to get off. The following are all signs that you might be ready for a break.
- Feeling tired, despite getting enough sleep
- Being struck down with coughs, colds and other viruses regularly
- Having difficulty finding time to eat lunch or take a break during the day
- Being so busy you decline social events or celebrations that you would have enjoyed
- Lacking creativity, feeling empty, or noticing that each project feels like a slog
- Falling productivity and difficulty meeting deadlines
- Wondering whether you would be better off being employed elsewhere
- Feeling like quitting because work is just too hard
Say Yes to Time Off
In 2015, a Contently study into freelancing found that the two biggest daily obstacles for freelancers were securing enough work (34%) and time management (26%). As a driven freelancer, you are likely to work hard to find long-term clients, but this may mean committing to long hours or turning work around within a short deadline.
The Brazilian author Paulo Coehlo said “when you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself”. There are several ways to make sure you say yes to taking a break, before your body forces you to.
- Get organised. Preparation is the key to taking a break. Speak to clients about any current or potential projects to ensure clear deadlines and boundaries. You may also need to put money aside to cover the cost of a holiday, or to make up for reduced earnings while you are off.
- Book days off, and take them. If a big project comes in nearer the time, set expectations with the client and push the deadline back. You booked those days off because you need them – take care of yourself by honouring your days off. 92% of freelancers report a positive effect from taking time off, 59% claim it improves their work life balance, and 44% say having a break reduces stress and anxiety.
- Take a break every day. If you plough through work non-stop every day, your creativity will start to dwindle. Make time to eat a proper lunch, and for an extra creativity boost, get out for a walk each day, too.
- Make the most of days off. One of the perks of freelancing is the flexibility. If you can feel exhaustion creeping in, take the next day off. If a quiet spell naturally falls before a big project, embrace it. And, if you have to work on a Saturday, make sure you take a weekday or two off in lieu.
- Change the scenery. You are probably used to working remotely, so embrace this perk and enjoy a change of scenery. Rent a holiday home or apartment, or visit friends for a few nights. If you have your laptop, internet connection and phone signal, you can probably work from anywhere in the world. Yes, you’ll still be working, but change is refreshing.
- Book a holiday. Nothing beats a proper break, so make plans and start saving. When you go away, try not to think about work and spend time recharging instead.
- Avoid, or limit, work while you are off. The boundaries between home and work can become blurred as a freelancer, but on your days off, try not to get sucked into work-related activities. If you need to quickly respond to an email, make sure that’s all you do.
Final Thoughts
If you leave it too late to take a break, your body or mind will take it for you. Chances are, it will be right in the middle of a project, or on the first day of your holiday. Rather than putting off rest and recuperation, schedule it in regularly. With careful planning, it is possible to make time for yourself to support your professional and personal wellbeing.