How I (mostly) avoid burning out as a freelancer
It's almost impossible to completely avoid, but there are things you can do to minimize it
Don’t have time to read the article? Feel free to listen to me read it (almost) word for word here. You get the bonus of hearing my dog wander around in the background (that clacking sound is him leaving the room because he thinks I talk too much).
Hi Friend,
Freelancing is a bit like being a squirrel—constantly gathering nuts when the weather’s nice, never sure if there’ll be enough when the cold season hits. And just like a squirrel, I’ve learned to hustle when times are good and hide under the nearest tree stump (or blanket) when it all gets too much. Let’s face it, burnout in freelancing is as inevitable as finding a cat napping on a keyboard—you can try to prevent it, but sometimes it’s just better to accept that it’s gonna happen (and you’ll need to figure out how to work around it).
So, how do I keep myself from burning out? It’s all about creating boundaries and giving myself some grace, while also accepting that freelancing is, by nature, a boom-or-bust kind of career. Here’s how I navigate those cycles while staying (mostly) energized.
1. Embrace the Squirrel Mentality: Say Yes, But With Caution
Freelancers are often tempted to say yes to every opportunity that comes our way. After all, when the projects are plentiful, we tend to overdo it, knowing that another dry spell can be just around the corner. But saying yes to everything leaves us frantically trying to carry 12 projects at once, people pleasing all over the place, and neglecting our own needs.
So, what do I do? I ask for slightly longer deadlines than I think I need. If I know I can get something done in a week, I might ask for ten days. Why? Because life happens. Maybe the dog gets sick, or a surprise client emergency pops up. Having that cushion helps me avoid the frantic last-minute scramble.
Asking for longer deadlines also gives me the flexibility to handle a few projects at a time without losing my mind. I can prioritize, plan, and pace myself—all of which are key to avoiding burnout.
2. Keep Fridays Sacred (Mostly)
Picture a wise old owl hooting “Fridays are for me, not for thee.” That’s the energy I bring into my Fridays. Freelancing can blur the lines between personal and professional time, but I make it a rule that clients can’t book meetings with me on Fridays unless there are absolutely no other options. Why? Because Fridays are for tying up loose ends, working on my own projects, or doing those little tasks that have been nagging at me all week.
Keeping Fridays casual allows me to wrap up my week in a relaxed way. If a project really needs to be finished by the weekend, fine—but I won’t be stressing about new work or attending any meetings in a button-up shirt. It’s the day I wear my metaphorical (and literal) slippers.
3. Automate Like a Boss (Or a Honeybee)
Honeybees are some of the most efficient creatures on Earth, and their ability to automate tasks within the hive is impressive. As freelancers, we should strive to be a bit more bee-like in our approach. For me, that means automating what I can. Whether it’s using tools that help with invoicing, scheduling, or social media posting, automation is my friend.
Why spend time sending follow-up emails or chasing invoices when I can set up a system that does it for me? The less time I spend on the boring admin stuff, the more time I have for actual work—or better yet, a walk outside.
Yes, some freelancers prefer to schedule their meetings through email because it feels more personal for the client. But I’ve had situations where the back-and-forth took weeks, only to have the meeting fall through. After our first meeting, I’ll be more open to scheduling via email. But as much as possible, I guide people to my calendar.
4. Take a Walk (Like a Dog, Not a Workaholic)
Speaking of walks, I take them almost every morning. I’m not saying I’m out there hiking like a mountain goat, but a quick stroll around the park does wonders for my sanity. Fresh air, a change of scenery, and a bit of movement help clear my head.
There’s something about walking that helps me process ideas, break through writer’s block, or simply get out of my own way. It also acts as a bit of a commute, without actually being in traffic (and thus experiencing road rage). I use that time to transition my brain into work mode, think about what needs to be done, and get myself ready.
5. The (Actual) Lunch Break: A Freelancer’s Rare Treat
Let’s not pretend freelancers always take proper lunch breaks. We all know the drill—grabbing a sandwich while working through the latest draft of a project or cramming food in between client calls. But here’s the thing: taking an actual lunch break, where I step away from the screen and eat like a human being (not a stressed-out squirrel), makes a huge difference.
I used to not take a lunch break, telling myself I’d end work an hour early to make up for it. But here’s the thing—I never ended work early. I just ended the day at my usual time with way less energy because I worked through lunch. Now that I take a lunch break, I still end my day at the same time, but I feel more energized and less sluggish. I also have more creativity.
6. Protect Weekends Like a Mama Bear
When the weekend rolls around, I protect it like a mother bear guarding her cubs. Sure, there might be rare occasions where I need to finish something off, but generally speaking, the weekends are for rest. That means no work emails, no Saturday editing, no sneaky project creep.
Rest is productive. If I work straight through my weekends, I’ll be dragging myself through the next week, half-asleep and grumpy like a badger that’s been woken up too early from hibernation.
7. Prioritize (Not Every Task is a Fire Waiting to be Put Out)
Freelancing can sometimes feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle—everything seems urgent, and it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that all tasks need to be dealt with at once. But here’s the thing: not every task is a five-alarm fire. Learning to prioritize has been one of the biggest ways I’ve avoided burnout.
Creating task lists is my saving grace. I jot down everything I need to do, then go through and decide what really needs to be done now, what can wait until tomorrow, and what can be moved to next week. This keeps me from feeling overwhelmed and ensures that I’m not trying to do everything all at once. Prioritizing is about focusing on the most important work without being consumed by the noise of everything else.
Acknowledge that burnout will happen
Burnout is part of the freelancing journey. But by taking these small steps, I’ve managed to avoid the worst of it. The key is being kind to yourself, setting boundaries, and understanding that freelancing is always going to have ups and downs.
In the end, freelancing might be a bit of a wild ride, but with the right habits, you don’t have to feel terminally exhausted. Whether you’re a squirrel, a bee, or a cat taking long naps, the trick is finding the balance that works for you and your business.
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Here’s to your ongoing freelance success,
Heidi
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Heidi, I am curious as to how I can avoid exhaustion with similar rules when starting a freelance side business while working full time. Any advice?