Juggling Health and Hustle. Can You Get Sick as a Freelancer?
Managing sickness when you're the business.
Hope you’re well! Firstly, apologies for the radio silence last month. A combination of burnout and then getting COVID meant some well-earned rest was in order.
But it definitely got me reflecting on the balancing act of self-care and freelance life, because it really is a skill you have to learn and intentionally work at.
I was a teacher for five years before becoming a freelance writer so — in many ways — I’m grateful I don’t have to work through illness and can take time off without causing much disruption.
BUT that doesn’t mean taking time off comes easy to me, or freelancers and self-employed people in general. We do tend to work ourselves beyond the point where we should stop, and it makes sense, oftentimes we’re the only way money is coming in.
So here are a few ways to handle being sick as a freelancer and give yourself some grace!
1) Listen to your body
We've all had those moments where we power through a sniffle or a headache. But sometimes, you have to pay attention to the louder call from our bodies (and minds!) and press pause. Taking care of ourselves means we can deliver our best work and not burn out long term.
2) Keep clients in the loop
As soon as I realized I’d need a breather, I reached out to my clients. Openness matters, and I've always believed in keeping things transparent. Nine times out of ten, they’ll give you an extended deadline, reduce your workload if that’s an option for you, or figure out another solution.
It’s always a better option than missing deadlines or submitting work that isn’t up to your usual standard. And most people are nice and want you to be well!
3) Setting boundaries
Health setbacks can be humbling. They remind us to set boundaries and maybe reschedule, delegate, or decline certain tasks. Make sure you know your limits and don't continuously take on more work than you can handle.
Boundaries also apply when taking a vacation, a lot of self-employed people will work on vacation and effectively not take a break at all. Practice scheduling holidays and letting your clients know in advance. Your body will thank you later!
4) Have a backup plan
Whether it's some financial cushioning or colleagues/fellow freelancers who can step in if needed, preparation can make things smoother.
Not everyone can have some money saved in case they need to take time off, but an emergency funds account is definitely something to prioritize if you’re able.
You can also reach out to people in your network who can potentially take some tasks off your hands. Managing your own business is hard work, mentally and physically, and relieving yourself of even the smallest task can make all the difference.
These moments, while challenging, offer a chance for introspection. It's reaffirmed my appreciation for the flexibility freelancing and self-employment offers and the supportive community that comes with it. 😊
5) Try and build some passive income
Passive income has become a bit of a buzzword and it’s certainly not as easy as many people on the internet make out.
But if you can find some way to have a portion of your income come in passively, it can take a lot of stress out of being sick, or other life moments that may stop you from working as effectively.
A few ways to do this include:
Try and find one that can stem from what you’re already doing so you don’t take on extra work, or you are interested in.
I’d love to hear how you manage those unpredictable moments in freelancing. Let's share and learn from each other!
Nomad Favourites
Check out our favourite books, podcasts, videos, and products just for nomads.
The Guidebook Podcast: Polly Clover quit teaching to become a freelance writer & SEO expert
Polly is our amazing lead writer on Nomad Fin and has helped from the very start, so it was very exciting to hear her on The Guidebook Podcast! She talks about her journey from being a teacher to a writer, launching her SEO Blogging Course, and doubling her freelance rates. Don’t miss this inspiring episode.
Rainbow Light - Counter Attack Supplement
I don’t normally recommend supplements but a friend sent these to help my wife and I get over the last vestiges of Covid and they were genuinely amazing. I was only taking two a day rather than the recommended four and felt genuinely renewed. A great thing to have in your drawer or travel bag!
Rose Han’s Youtube Channel
Rose Han shares new videos each week about all things finance and living life on your terms. Her channel is relatable and has very diverse and interesting content! Her videos discuss topics that help you get more of what you want out of life.
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