As anyone who didn’t spend last week living under a rock has understood by now – summer has officially arrived.
The arrival of summer also means that a lot of freelancers are taking a break from work. Or, trying to at least. Because a 2015 study from the Netherlands for instance shows that 94% of freelancers remain reachable to existing and new clients while they’re on vacation. Half of freelancers continue to work while they’re on vacation.
Research from the U.S. shows a similar trend across the Atlantic, with 92% of freelancers there working while they’re off. The study suggests that these freelancers don’t feel great about this as 43% of freelancers try to hide that they are on vacation from their clients, while 41% try to hide from their partners or friends that they’re working while they’re on vacation. If this is you, you’re not alone.
I’m not going to tell you that you should leave your laptop at home and jump on a plane to a warm destination now that we once again can. Far from it.
Anyone who’s ever been a freelancer knows that taking time off can be a source of stress when you’re not able to rely on paid leave days, holiday pay or colleagues who can fill in for you. And sorry to remind you but … we are edging towards a recession. And for anyone who needs a reminder of how relaxing a staycation could be, just type “holiday chaos” into your news app.
Even though holiday periods can seem to bring together the worst aspects of being a freelancer, I would like to remind you of one of the biggest advantages we have as freelancers, which is that you are in control of your schedule. You decide when you are on and when you are off. Remember that and try to find a holiday mode that suits you this summer.
To help you with this, I’ve dug up three pieces of advice from our archives that should help you take a break from work, whether it’s a short or a long one:
👩💻 do you plan on being reachable all summer? Read this peptalk for a reminder that it’s OK to put boundaries around your working hours – even if some clients seem to think that freelancers are always on and available.
🍹 do you plan on being semi-reachable? Revisit this newsletter to find out how you can limit the time you spend on answering and reading emails by setting email office hours.
🏝️ do you plan on not being reachable at all? Follow my lead and turn off your phone to fully disconnect from all things work.
Need more convincing? Freelance interior architect Gwen Dubois had this to say on the importance of recharging your batteries when I interviewed her for this newsletter earlier this year:
We generate so much output as creatives, but we also need input. You need the time and resources to be able to take care of yourself, to work out, to take a holiday every now and then, and to recharge your batteries. That’s why I tell new clients: ‘I want to be able to fully throw myself into the assignment and not have any financial stress. When that’s taken care off, I deliver my best work.’ No-one can really argue with that.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Linda and I will also take time off over the next few weeks, which means that you won’t hear from us until late August. Until then, you can always continue to email us your freelance frustrations and successes at freelancerthefriendly@gmail.com
Have a great summer,
Selma