How to Achieve Work-Life Balance As a Full-Time Writer
Guest post by Michael Deane
Becoming a writer is a dream come true for many. However, when you’re a full-time writer, that dream can easily turn into a nightmare if you forget to take care of yourself. Without a set 9 to 5 schedule and a fixed income every month, one can easily lose track of how much work is enough for a day.
Usually, the fear of not being able to earn enough to make a living gets in the way and we lose control. But establishing a work-life balance is essential for so many reasons. It will improve your health and the overall quality of your life.
But how do you achieve a work-life balance when work becomes your life?
Achieving a work-play balance is hard, especially if you recently switched from part-time to full-time writing. Yes, you love your job but a line must be drawn somewhere.
We have a few tips for you that you could use to achieve a better work-life balance as a full-time writer.
Create a Schedule
If you are a full-time writer, you have the flexibility to choose your working hours which is great. But it can be tricky at the same time. Some writers prefer working at night and sleeping until late while others are early birds. Create a schedule that works for you but make sure to leave some time for free activities.
For example, if you work from morning until the afternoon, go to a lunch break in between. Catch up with a friend you haven’t seen for a while. Or if you want to spend the evenings with your loved ones, then try to finish work during the day so that you are free in the evening. If you predict some free activities in your schedule, it will be easier to stick to them and achieve a work-life balance.
Don’t Think About Work During Your Free Time
If you’ve worked on a particularly stressful project today, chances are that you will be thinking about it all evening. That can ruin your free time.
Stick to your schedule and handle personal things in your free time and work-related things during work hours. Think of it as if you were actually at a 9 to 5 job and clock off when it’s time to go home.
Close your laptop once you finish your set projects for the day. Instead of doing “just a bit of research” for the next one, go out or spend time with your loved ones.
Become Picky About Freelance Projects
Is earning money and saving for your retirement the highest priority for you? Or do you want to earn just enough to live comfortably and enjoy your free time? Before you try to achieve a work-life balance, you need to think about this.
We know that sometimes you need to sacrifice your personal plans in order to earn some extra money and pay your bills. But if you do this frequently, you’ll end up drowning in work and neglecting yourself and others. If you have to accept additional projects, then at least try to choose those that you actually enjoy writing about. Don’t be afraid to say no. Working on projects you find dull will take extra time and will drain you.
If you make time to unwind and simply enjoy doing what you like after work, you will be able to stay in love with your job for much longer.
Reward Yourself
If you are still not at the point where you can be picky and you do need to accept a lot of dull projects, we get it. However, there are ways to make the experience slightly more bearable. Plan a pleasant activity to do after completing the work. Invite friends for dinner or go for a night out, for example. This will motivate you to get the job done faster.
Don’t Answer Emails During Free Time
We have all met some clients who email you late at night or on weekends and expect you to be there. Don’t fall for this. We are not saying that you should be rude, on the contrary. Try to be attentive and responsible, and do your best to submit a quality piece. But do this during the work hours that you set. Make it clear that you are not available in the evenings or at the weekends, for example.
Also, don’t check your work email if you’ve decided to spend some quality time with your significant other or your kids. You need to respect your own boundaries if you want your clients to do the same.
Don’t Let Your Work Become Your Life
You’ve dreamed about becoming a full-time writer. But at the end of the day, it’s still work, and you still need to do it in order to pay your bills every month. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and separate the two. Not only will this prevent burnout, but it will make you a better writer too.