Stopping Just Before Burnout
As a freelance-community-organizer-facilitator-writer, I… need a break
Over the years, I became better at detecting burnout before it happens. This post is me catching myself just before I crash.
Being employed is different from freelancing. Obvious fact. But — and I want to highlight this — it’s not about elevating freelancing over your good old 9–5.
Each has its advantages and challenges.
In my case, freelancing feels like a blessing and a curse at the same time. I love it for nobody dictating where I need to be and when. I can fit work around other things. I can also oscillate between Poland and Scotland freely.
On the other hand, it does things to my mental health that I need to fend myself against. I am prone to overwork and overcommitting anyway. As a freelancer, this tendency is exacerbated even more because when I’m not working, I’m not getting paid.
So, I work. But how much can I fit on my plate?
As a freelancer, I expect myself to be 100% productive each day. When I speak to friends who are employed, I often hear phrases like “today I didn’t really do anything.” There are no consequences if they “waste” a day once in a while. And I think that’s right.
