Great Q! I like what you've outlined at the end there - that's healthy. I've been doing the own-thing for nearly 15 years now and always worked too much arguably but I was young and often on my own and thought of things in bubbles - sometimes the work bubble was really big, other times the family or love or relationships or grief or travel or hobbies or charity or environmentalism or community or whatnot. I was always quite strict on never having email or Slack on phone, opening inbox twice a day, no immediate responses, limiting social media significantly, always always time for making food as a method to switch off, minimalism/essentialism etc which helps a lot.
I made a major life switch a year ago after a decent management/tech-industry-as-a-woman burnout and changed my work life quite a bit. I think it's also getting a bit older that helps with perspective too. I make sure to:
Have nice and slow mornings, do some stretches, make a tea, read, go to the markets, have breakfast and do my own project things - before I just launch into paid work
Assign paid / client work to 4 days only, strictly and no more than 8 hours of real work time unless I'm on research interview sessions (I time all my client work anyway)
Ask myself lots of questions before I take something on (namely: does this threaten my relationship, my health, my values or my creativity? and if it's one of those - it's a no now)
Work with the seasons; it's winter, I'm "wintering", and I'm working much more when you add clients + my own projects, being cozy indoors and being creative, I know for the warmer season (of 6 months here really) I'll be camping, hiking, swimming, exploring significantly more so way less work
Don't have too long streaks here on WIP (I only use WIP for my own creative projects and admin so I shouldn't ever go too long, if I do I'm not balanced in rest of life)
Live in the mountains (nobody gives a shit about your work which really helps!)
Super privileged position and just a reflection of society at the moment but the harder thing for me was that it's taken me about 5 years to actively wind back productivity guilt in my head and the constant "need to be doing" and "money making activities" (I think this also comes from being from a poorer family). I still have to push it out of my mind some of the time but as a whole I can say after five years I'm now pretty clear of it. Having a partner I really want to spend time with and make sure I'm really actively present in the relationship has helped (hopefully some lessons I've learned from the past).
I also have a LONG LONG list of things I love love love to do outside of paid work and so so so so so many things I want to learn. Reminding myself constantly that these are totally valid and excellent (arguably much better - I made paper from egg cartons the other day and still can't believe I've made paper) ways to spend time has really helped me spend way more time on meaningful life stuff that has nothing to do with work and projects.
I think I mentioned on a WIP post previously but also just writing out a list of 12 things that make a good week for you (and therefore a good life), and rating how often you engaged with them that week works wonders for quick realignments when you need them :) Again - privileged because when I've had 0 money it's just all hustle and noodles and I'm facing significantly less issues than so many, but if you're able to, it really helps.
Thanks for the thorough reply! Your approach does seem very intentful and indeed informed by experience :)
Today being my first official freelance day, I'm taking it slow and deliberate after reading and reflecting on this. Bills will get paid, but life has to be lived!
Great Q! I like what you've outlined at the end there - that's healthy. I've been doing the own-thing for nearly 15 years now and always worked too much arguably but I was young and often on my own and thought of things in bubbles - sometimes the work bubble was really big, other times the family or love or relationships or grief or travel or hobbies or charity or environmentalism or community or whatnot. I was always quite strict on never having email or Slack on phone, opening inbox twice a day, no immediate responses, limiting social media significantly, always always time for making food as a method to switch off, minimalism/essentialism etc which helps a lot.
I made a major life switch a year ago after a decent management/tech-industry-as-a-woman burnout and changed my work life quite a bit. I think it's also getting a bit older that helps with perspective too. I make sure to:
Super privileged position and just a reflection of society at the moment but the harder thing for me was that it's taken me about 5 years to actively wind back productivity guilt in my head and the constant "need to be doing" and "money making activities" (I think this also comes from being from a poorer family). I still have to push it out of my mind some of the time but as a whole I can say after five years I'm now pretty clear of it. Having a partner I really want to spend time with and make sure I'm really actively present in the relationship has helped (hopefully some lessons I've learned from the past).
I also have a LONG LONG list of things I love love love to do outside of paid work and so so so so so many things I want to learn. Reminding myself constantly that these are totally valid and excellent (arguably much better - I made paper from egg cartons the other day and still can't believe I've made paper) ways to spend time has really helped me spend way more time on meaningful life stuff that has nothing to do with work and projects.
I think I mentioned on a WIP post previously but also just writing out a list of 12 things that make a good week for you (and therefore a good life), and rating how often you engaged with them that week works wonders for quick realignments when you need them :) Again - privileged because when I've had 0 money it's just all hustle and noodles and I'm facing significantly less issues than so many, but if you're able to, it really helps.
Thanks for the thorough reply! Your approach does seem very intentful and indeed informed by experience :)
Today being my first official freelance day, I'm taking it slow and deliberate after reading and reflecting on this. Bills will get paid, but life has to be lived!
So darn happy for you! I think that last sentence is worthy of sticking on a wall as a reminder - I'm going to use it too!