How I Maintain A Full-Time Job And Freelance Writing Without Losing My Mind on

I have always been a full-time worker. I worked my way through college, and then once I was out of school, I took the first job that came my way.

Luckily, it was at a place I loved working for, but even after a few years in the business, I started to feel like something was missing.

My job was great and all, but I wanted to write for a living to make money as a freelancer. It took me more than six months to land my first assignment.

And since then? Well, let’s just say that freelance writing is far from lucrative on its own. Sadly, it takes time to build up a reputation and clientele as someone who can be trusted with assignments.

After two years of juggling my full-time job with freelance writing gigs on the side, here’s what works for me:

How to Freelance Full-Time \ How to QUIT Your 9-5 Job

Takeaways
Balancing a full-time job and freelance writing requires careful planning and prioritization.
Setting clear boundaries and creating a schedule can help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Effective time management is crucial to maximize productivity and avoid burnout.
Building a support network and seeking assistance when needed can alleviate stress.
Taking care of mental and physical well-being is essential to prevent overwhelm and maintain focus.

Table of Contents

I Stopped Being A Perfectionist

I stopped being a perfectionist. This is something that took me years to learn, but I finally learned how to accept that I can’t do everything perfectly.

I also learned how to stop trying to do everything at once, because it will never be perfect and it will never be finished.

If you try and force yourself into doing all of the things at once, they won’t be done well or promptly.

Lastly, I learned not to beat myself up when things didn’t turn out exactly the way that I wanted them to.

Some things just don’t work out for everyone all of the time; there’s no shame in asking for help if something isn’t working out correctly!

I gave up on a lot of things.

I stopped being a perfectionist.

I stopped worrying about what other people thought of me.

I stopped worrying about what other people thought of my writing.

I stopped caring what anyone thought of anything I did, and that has made all the difference in my life, especially as far as freelancing is concerned (and also as far as life goes).

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I Get Up Early

This may be a controversial position, but I think it’s okay to prioritize your writing and freelance career over everything else. When I say “prioritize,”

I don’t mean that you should cut out all other activities and spend every waking moment at your desk (though if you’re disciplined enough to do this, go for it I’m not here to judge).

Rather, my point is that if you want to succeed in freelancing or any business of your creation, there will inevitably come times when you’ll have to make sacrifices.

You might need to miss an important birthday dinner with friends or turn down the opportunity for a great weekend getaway because an opportunity has arisen in your field that could change everything for you.

For freelancers like myself who work from home full time with spouses and children nearby stay sane while maintaining regular hours outside our homes during daylight hours (which means sleeping during daylight).

We have learned when our energy levels are highest/lowest so as not interfere too much with our personal lives during what little free time we have left after working full-time jobs all day long…

I Make Lists And Set Deadlines

I find that when I’m working on a freelance project 00 have other responsibilities, so it helps to schedule my work into chunks.

For example, if I have a writing deadline for an article due on Tuesday at 8 p.m., I’ll set aside Sunday afternoon through Monday night for that task.

Then I’ll schedule time for the next task (a blog post or product review), which is due Wednesday at 10 a.m., and so on.

Setting deadlines also has another benefit: It helps me feel more productive!

When I know something is looming shortly, it motivates me to get things done sooner rather than later so they’re out of the way and don’t stress me out any longer than necessary (or at all).

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I’m Okay With Not Being Focused

This means that on a given day, I might not be focused on my work. That’s okay! If I were to do this every single day, it would drive me insane.

But if you’re able to maintain some semblance of focus for even an hour or two each week, then your freelance writing career will thrive.

These days, I’m good at switching gears when needed: When inspiration strikes and I have to write something immediately.

Or if there’s an important phone call coming through I can put down my laptop and pick up my phone without feeling like I’m abandoning my projects completely.

I’m Okay With Not Being Present In My Personal Life Sometimes

I’m okay with not being present in my personal life sometimes. As I’ve mentioned, it’s very hard to keep up a full-time job and freelance writing at the same time.

I find myself having to constantly remind myself not to let my work get in the way of everything else that goes on in my life.

I don’t want my friends and family members to feel like they’re getting less attention than they deserve because of me spending too much time on my laptop or phone instead of them.

So I try to be more available during the weekends and evenings when we can all hang out together.

The thing is: I know it won’t always be possible for me to be there 24/7 for everyone who needs me at any given moment; however, this doesn’t mean that I’m going back on what was said earlier about making sure all your relationships are healthy ones!

I’m Willing To Stay Up Late When Necessary…

You have to be willing to stay up late when necessary. You can’t expect yourself to always be working at peak productivity, so you need to set up some boundaries for yourself.

It’s okay if you’re not focused on what you’re doing all the time and it’s okay if your focus fluctuates from day to today.

I had a friend who told me that he was going to write every day because he had decided that he wanted to win NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

He kept track of what he wrote by writing down the exact amount in his journal at the end of each day and was focused on writing for several hours each evening (after work).

This is great! This is exactly how many people start as writers: they decide they want to write something and then do it every single day until they reach their goal.

Nowadays, this person has moved onto other projects but still writes quite regularly and never feels like he needs “time off” from freelancing because there isn’t such thing as “time off.”

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Sleep In When Necessary

When I’m not freelance writing, I work full-time. And when I’m not working or freelance writing, I am usually sleeping but only because those are my two favorite things to do in life!

I try to get up at 6:30 am and go to bed by 10 pm every night. The problem is that sometimes it takes me a while to fall asleep and then wakes me up too early in the morning.

Sometimes it takes forever for me to wake up after being woken up by my alarm (and if you don’t have an annoying clock radio, YOU ARE MISSING OUT).

I do what has to be done first and get it out of the way.

Identify what needs to be done.

Prioritize these tasks and get them out of the way.

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the big picture.

If something doesn’t have to happen, it probably won’t happen.

I don’t let myself get overwhelmed by the big picture.

When I was working full-time, I was always intimidated by the task of writing because there were so many other things on my plate.

But if you break down your day into smaller parts and tackle one thing at a time, it’s not as overwhelming.

For example:

If you have an hour free in the morning before your commute and can’t think of anything to write about, read something!

The best way to get inspired is by being inspired yourself. Read something interesting or fun, like a book or magazine article (I love magazines), or listen to podcasts while cooking breakfast or getting ready for work.

It doesn’t have to be related directly to what topic you’re trying to write about; just reading will help spark ideas and let them percolate in your subconscious until later when they come out in writing form!

Once you’ve got an idea for an article floating around in there somewhere (or multiple ideas!),

Take 10 minutes out of each day before bedtime and write down whatever comes up first that relates directly back to one of those topics even if it’s just “This would make a good article!”

And then move on to another thought from another day until all four topics are done; this will give them ample time without feeling rushed later when deadlines start coming closer together again!

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If Something Doesn’t Have To Happen, It Probably Won’t Happen

So, let’s say you want to accomplish a goal. Maybe it’s getting into better shape, starting your own business, or writing a novel.

You know what you need to do to achieve that goal but you’re not doing it because it doesn’t have to happen right now.

You might be thinking: “I’ll just do this later…when I have more time.” Or maybe: “I don’t need to work on this project right now.”

But those excuses won’t get the job done! It’s easy for me to sit at my desk and type up an article when I have nothing else going on but if I’m trying to finish something else (like an upcoming deadline), that article will never get written unless it becomes one of my priorities.

If something doesn’t have to happen, then probably won’t happen. If something isn’t urgent enough for me,

Then chances are good that eventually, I’ll forget about it altogether and never return around again until someday down the road when suddenly everything falls apart because there wasn’t anything holding things together in the first place

I Plan For Fun, Too!

You’re not the only one who can use a little help finding the time to do things for themselves. I have a full-time job, freelance writing clients, and a blog. For me, it takes planning and setting aside time for the fun to maintain my sanity.

And no matter how busy you are or what your schedule looks like, taking breaks is important.

You don’t have to enjoy every second of your free time sometimes it’s nice just to relax or zone out for an hour or two but make sure you’re giving yourself some kind of break during the day.

If that means curling up with a good book on your lunch break at work, great! If it means going out with friends after dinner once in a while instead of spending all evening catching up on Netflix shows…great!

Just remember that even if it feels like something frivolous is interfering with work (and sometimes it does).

Taking care of yourself will make you better at working later on because you’ll be more focused and clear-headed when you get back into it again.

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Conclusion

I do a lot of things, and it can be overwhelming at times. But I’ve learned to take a step back when I need to and put my mental health first.

If that means taking a few days off or even weeks, then so be it. I’m still here doing the things I love and love doing them.

As long as you have a backup plan in case things don’t work out with freelancing, you should be fine!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about freelancing:

How do I start freelancing?

Starting freelancing involves several steps. First, identify your skills and areas of expertise. Then, create a portfolio or showcase your work samples. Next, establish an online presence and market yourself through platforms or networking. Finally, start pitching your services to potential clients and build relationships in your chosen industry.

How can I find freelance job opportunities?

There are various ways to find freelance job opportunities. You can explore freelance job platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr, where clients post projects and hire freelancers. Networking and word-of-mouth referrals can also lead to job opportunities. Additionally, creating a professional website or online portfolio can attract clients who are searching for freelancers.

How do I determine my freelance rates?

Determining your freelance rates depends on factors such as your skills, experience, market demand, and competition. Research industry standards and rates in your field to get an idea of the average pricing. Consider your expenses, time commitment, and desired income. Experiment with different pricing strategies and adjust as needed based on client feedback and market trends.

How do I manage my finances as a freelancer?

Managing finances as a freelancer requires careful planning. It’s crucial to track your income and expenses, create a budget, and set aside money for taxes and savings. Consider using accounting software or hiring a professional to help with financial management. Additionally, maintaining a consistent cash flow by invoicing clients promptly and setting aside funds for lean periods is essential.

How can I maintain a work-life balance as a freelancer?

Maintaining a work-life balance as a freelancer can be challenging but achievable. Establish a dedicated workspace and set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Create a schedule that includes time for breaks, exercise, and leisure activities. Learn to prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary. Effective time management, self-care, and setting realistic expectations can contribute to a healthier work-life balance.

How Do You Manage A Full-Time Job And Freelance Writing?

It’s hard! But it’s possible. You’ll just have to be good at time management and planning.

For example, if I know that I’m going to need some quiet time after work while the rest of my family is running around doing their own thing, then I’ll plan that time into my schedule so that I can get some work done without interruption.

It might mean setting aside an hour or two later in the evening when everyone else has gone to bed so that I can be left with enough peace (and maybe even a glass of wine) for myself before turning in for the night.

Or it might mean taking advantage of those times when no one seems interested in hanging out with me like when most people are asleep and working during those hours instead of laying around watching TV all day long like some kind of lazy bum

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.