The benefits of freelancing include flexibility, freedom, and the ability to work when and how you choose. But let's face it: balancing multiple clients, meeting deadlines, and dealing with uncertain income can be stressful. Your long-term success in freelancing requires being able to manage stress effectively.
TIPS ON MANAGING STRESS AS A FREELANCER
1. ORGANIZE! I cannot emphasize this point enough. When your schedule is all over the place and a cluttered mess in your head, it becomes challenging to take charge of all your tasks and responsibilities effectively. And this can result in a lot of stress.
Also, don’t try to handle too many clients at a time so that you can give yourself time to breathe and deliver your best to your clients.
Being well-organized makes your job easier too.
Remember that you are an independent contractor, you determine how you want your workflow to be, so it’s up to you to organize everything.
2. An important part of self-care is a regular workout routine.
As an independent contractor, your time is important because clients are paying for your time. So I understand some freelancers need to want to maximize their earnings by working round the clock! But this is not exactly good for your health. As much as you want to earn more, you can only work when you’re fit and healthy. So take time out each day to exercise and practice mindfulness.
Exercising helps build your body (and mind), while mindfulness will help you to relax and stay present.
The time you spend on these is worth it. It's a rejuvenation of your body and mind.
I came across this mindfulness video on YouTube. I use it occasionally to help me relax and refocus, try it out.
3. I love my clients but I set Boundaries.
Remember that you’re an independent contractor earning with your time! Some clients can be very demanding, especially for freelancers in assistant roles. They want you to be available round the clock!
Let clients know that they have to be respectful of your time. Setting boundaries will prevent burnout. So you need to:
Define your office hours.
Don’t Overcommit.
And at the end of your workday, mentally and physically “clock out.” Leave your workspace, even if it’s just your kitchen table.
5. No one thrives or is expected to live in isolation, isolation is boring and stressful, yet freelancing can be isolating. To prevent isolation as a freelancer, consider joining freelance communities. Building a network outside work, and connecting with friends and family members are effective ways of overcoming boredom and isolation.
You’re not an island so don’t isolate yourself from the rest of the world.
6. One of the downsides of Freelancing is the unpredictability of your income. Most jobs are contract jobs that may last months or shorter. Your job may even stop abruptly if a client’s condition changes.
This is part of the reason why some freelancers keep multiple clients.
You need to plan your finances.
The unpredictability of freelance income can be stressful, so you must create some financial cushioning that works best for you.
Here are some tips:
- List out your recurrent expenditure. You can track your expenses for 1-3 months to determine what these are. Use budget and expense tracking applications like Expensify, You Need A Budget (YNAB), or Mint.
- Once you know your recurrent expenditures, try to put three to six months' worth of spending in an emergency fund to ease your mind about erratic income.
- Have clear contracts with clients, including payment schedules, so you're not left hanging.
These tips give you some clear, actionable strategies for handling freelancing stress! Let me know if you’ve found this insightful.
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