Freelancing is one of the most fulfilling career paths out there. But, as someone self-employed, it can also be lonely. Here are ways you can use freelancing as a way to spend more time with your friends and family.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Building a support system and maintaining friendships is important for freelancers |
| Balancing work and social life is crucial for a healthy freelancer lifestyle |
| Utilize technology to stay connected with friends and colleagues |
| Actively seek out networking opportunities and join professional communities |
| Prioritize self-care and make time for social activities outside of work |
| Communicate openly with friends and loved ones about the challenges and benefits of freelancing |
| Embrace flexibility and find ways to adapt to different schedules and lifestyles |
| Take advantage of coworking spaces or shared workspaces to combat isolation |
| Seek mentorship or join mastermind groups to gain support and guidance |
| Regularly evaluate and adjust your work-life balance to ensure overall well-being |
Get Active Outside Of The Office
You’re used to being around people at work. You’re used to having a routine and having something to do every day. But, as a freelancer, you won’t have those things anymore.
And if you don’t find ways of getting out there and meeting new people, it can be pretty hard on your social life.
The best way I found to make friends when I first started freelancing was through sports and hobbies. When I joined an amateur rugby team, I met a whole bunch of guys who had similar interests as me but didn’t live in the same city or even country.
Finding something that was fun for me (and maybe something that wasn’t), making it easier for me to talk with other people about what they were passionate about too!
Avoiding common mistakes is crucial for success as a freelancer. Learn from the experiences of others and discover how to avoid these pitfalls in our article on 10 Mistakes I Made Freelancing as a Designer.
Be The One To Make Plans
If you have a flexible schedule and can plan your days well in advance, this is great news for your social life!
If you’re wondering what to do with your friends on Thursday night, just text them that you want to hang out. If they’re up for it and they haven’t got anything else going on, they’ll say yes! You could even invite them over for dinner or drinks at home if it sounds like a good idea (I’ve done it).
And if not? That’s okay too! Making plans requires negotiation skills and some flexibility. You might need to change one of your plans because another friend had something else planned first or couldn’t make it at all.
Then again though… maybe not! Maybe everyone else has other stuff going on too so now everyone’s free tonight and wants to get together. The point is: don’t stress about making plans; just do it!
Make Time For A Lunch Break
You must take a lunch break. Go get some air and enjoy being outside, even if it’s just for an hour or even 30 minutes!
You also need to do something different during your lunch break. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy or elaborate, but it should be different from what you do during the rest of the day. For example:
- If you eat at your desk all day long, go somewhere else for lunch (but make sure it’s safe).
- If you like going on walks or jogging in the morning before work starts, try taking one during your break instead.
Go To Events
There are so many ways to meet people in the freelancing world, but if you’re not sure where to start, consider getting involved with local events.
There are plenty of conferences, workshops, and meetups that are geared toward freelancers and even if you aren’t a part of one yet, it’s easy enough to find something on Meetup and RSVP for the next event or two that sounds interesting.
When you go to these types of gatherings (which might be in person or online), don’t just talk about your business all night long; branch out
Getting to know people who can help build relationships outside of work, too it’s important not only for personal fulfillment but also for professional success down the road. You never know when another freelance writer will become a great friend or your coworker might offer up fresh leads for new clients.
Sometimes, the motivation to become a freelancer stems from unexpected sources. Find out the surprising reason why I decided to quit my job and pursue freelancing in our thought-provoking post, The Surprising Reason I Quit My Job to Become a Freelancer.
Remember To Dress Nicely
If you’re a freelancer, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. You don’t have an office to go to or co-workers who give you fashion advice, so sometimes it’s hard to know what is appropriate for different occasions
The best thing you can do is dress nicely at all times even if the job does not require formal attire, and always present yourself as though you’re on your way to a job interview. And don’t just look good; make sure that everything fits properly and is clean (no stains!).
For example: If I’m going out with friends for dinner tonight, I will wear jeans with my favorite shoes and maybe even some jewelry or makeup if appropriate for the kind of place we’re going but I’ll also make sure my hair looks nice and perhaps put on some earrings before leaving the house!
Stay Healthy
This is the one you may have thought was obvious, but it can be easy to forget when you’re busy working. It’s important to get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. Taking vitamins or supplements can also help boost your immune system and overall health.
If possible, having a yearly physical done by a doctor will ensure that any issues with your body are caught early on so they can be addressed quickly before they become problems in the future (especially important if you ever want children).
If possible, try meditating daily for at least 10 minutes or taking breaks during the day where you’ll relax and calm down from whatever happened during work hours whether it’s listening to music while resting or going for a walk outside with friends (or by yourself).
You deserve those moments of quiet time just as much as anyone else does!
Sponsor Your Friends Just As Much (Or More) Than They Sponsor You
In an ideal world, your friends would sponsor you just as much (or more) than you sponsor them. The best way to show them that you care is by sponsoring them, and not just in the sense that you want to help them out by supporting their ideas or business ventures.
But sponsoring someone doesn’t have to be all about money; sometimes it’s also about doing favors for each other and helping each other out with tasks around town.
Mentorship plays a significant role in shaping a freelancer’s journey. Read about my personal experience and the transformative impact of freelancing mentorship in the inspiring article, How Freelancing Mentorship Turned My Life Around.
Use Your Commute To Make Calls And Catch Up With People
The final tip is to make the most of your commute. Try using this time to call people or chat with them online, and you’ll be surprised at how much more productive and happier you feel. If you’re not a fan of phone calls, try catching up with friends on social media instead!
If you’re lucky enough to have a long commute (or if it’s just easy for some reason), then consider making the most out of this time by catching up with friends, family members, or even your spouse.
Join A Community Group, Gym Group
You (as a freelancer) may not be able to go out with your friends as often, but you’ve got to find some way to get out there and meet new people. Join a community group or gym group that meets regularly, whether it’s an art club, volunteer organization, or sports team.
If you’re not interested in joining any of those things but want something more social than sitting at home watching TV after work, try finding an activity that helps build your language skills (take a class!). Or join a yoga class.
Prioritize Human Interaction Over Mobiles, Laptops, Etc.
Do you know what the most popular app in the world is? Facebook. And that’s great, but it’s also a good example of how technology can be used to help us connect.
However, social media should be more of a supplement than a substitute for face-to-face interaction. As crazy as it sounds, one of the best things you can do for your mental health is to prioritize human interaction over mobiles and laptops.
Have A Standing Weekly Meetup With Friends
It’s important to have social support, and for freelancers, this is especially true. Having friends who know you outside of work will help keep your sanity in check when things get hard or if you’re having trouble finding freelance gigs.
You should also try to make sure that these meetups aren’t just about work they should be fun! You want them to be relaxing and enjoyable, not stressful because all anyone talked about was work.
Join An Online Community Relevant To Your Niche
You can find a lot of communities on Facebook and LinkedIn, but there are also many specific niche communities you can join. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, check out this thread for writers on Reddit (r/freelance). If you’re a designer, maybe check out the Designer News forum on Hacker News.
There are many ways to build your network while also helping others in your industry:
- Make sure to be active and participate in conversations as much as possible this will help establish yourself as an expert in the field!
- Ask questions about something that’s been said or written by another member of the community; this shows them that they have value to offer (and they’ll likely welcome any opportunity to help).
When someone responds with useful information or advice or simply encouragement thank them publicly so that others know how generous and kind-hearted you are!
The landscape of journalism is evolving, and freelance writing is gaining momentum. Discover the reasons why freelance writing is thriving while journalism jobs face challenges in our insightful piece, 10 Reasons Journalism Jobs Get the Boot and Freelance Writing Is Thriving.
Look At Things From The Other Person’s Perspective
Now that you’re out of your head, it’s time to look at things from the other person’s perspective.
This is a big one. If you want to be able to see things from others’ points of view, you need to be able to see what’s going on with them and that means getting out of your head!
One way we like to do this is by using a mirror and looking at yourself from all angles (not literally). Sit down in front of a mirror and imagine yourself as being the other person that’s sitting directly across from you.
Now imagine asking them about their life and what they’re going through right now: “What kinds of challenges have come up for you lately? What would help make these challenges easier? How do I fit into this picture? How can I help?”
Get Involved With Local Charities And Non-Profits Where You Can Help Others
This is one of the most important things you can do when you’re a freelancer. Giving back to your community is vital to ensuring that we all have a better world to live in. You may not be able to donate money, but donating time and skills are just as valuable.
Volunteering will help make you feel good about yourself and it will give you opportunities for networking with new people.
If I had to pick one thing that has helped me become a successful freelancer, it would be giving back to my community through volunteering my time and skills. The feeling of helping others makes me happy and fills me with self-confidence two things every freelance needs!
Have Quality Social Media Profiles That Show You Are A Real Person
How to do it:
Give your profile a personal touch by including your interests, hobbies, and passions in the bio section.
It’s sometimes hard to find the right balance between professional and personal on social media, but there is still room for both. Make sure that whatever you post reflects who you are as a person. If you don’t feel like sharing something publicly (like vacation pictures), then don’t do it just because everyone else does.
Instead of posting meaningless statuses or quotes from books or movies (which is what most people do), share something that shows who you are as a person – maybe even tell a little backstory about yourself!
This way when someone visits your page they’ll know exactly who they’re talking/working with instead of having no clue whatsoever (because let’s face it sometimes these things matter more than we think).
Keep everything consistent throughout all platforms so people recognize which platform belongs were without having to look too closely at which ones belong where (for example Facebook may not be considered professional enough for LinkedIn but should be used if applying elsewhere).
Social media profiles should always include contact info along with links back into other online spaces such as websites or blogs so potential employers can easily find info about qualifications etcetera.”
Connect With People On Social Media Regularly
Keeping up with friends and making new ones is one of the most important parts of being a freelancer.
While you may not be able to spend time in person with your real-world friends, social media can help fill that void by allowing you to keep tabs on what’s going on in their lives. It’s also an excellent way to meet new people and form connections with like-minded individuals who share your interests.
As long as they aren’t too busy, many freelancers will enjoy connecting with clients via Facebook or other social media platforms as well.
Balancing freelancing and travel is an exciting endeavor. Join me on my journey and learn how I manage to freelance effectively while traveling in the engaging post, How I Freelance on Phone While Traveling: The Story.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. My favorite ways to be a freelancer and still have friends. I know firsthand how hard it can be to work from home, but with these tips up your sleeve, you’ll be able to make sure that your networking stays strong and that you stay connected with the people who matter most in your life. Good luck!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful for further reading:
Top Tips to Stay Connected as a Freelancer: Explore this insightful blog post that provides practical tips on how freelancers can stay connected and maintain a sense of community while working independently.
How Do You Make Work Friends as a Freelancer?: Discover strategies and insights on how freelancers can build meaningful connections and develop work friendships in this thought-provoking Medium article.
Make Friends When You’re a Freelancer: Check out this helpful blog post that offers advice and suggestions for freelancers on how to make friends and establish a support network while navigating the freelance lifestyle.
People Also Ask
Can I Have A Normal Life As A Freelancer?
Yes! You can have a normal life and still be a freelancer. The key is to prioritize your work so that you don’t let it eat into too much of your time.
You’ll want to make sure that you’re not working past the point where it’s healthy for you or your family, but beyond that, you should feel free to enjoy other things in life as well.
How Do I Find Clients?
The best way to find clients is by networking with people who are already working in your industry.
It’s also helpful if you build up a portfolio of previous projects so that new potential clients can see what kind of work you’ve done before. You can also approach companies directly if they’re looking for someone with your skillset (but please be aware that this may not always be possible).
How Do I Keep My Job And My Friendships?
You’re going to want to make sure you’re scheduling yourself in a way that allows you to have time off during the week to meet your friends.
This might mean only working on Fridays, or it could mean working more hours during the week so that you can take Fridays off. It’s up to you! Just make sure you’re doing your best to take care of yourself, and don’t feel guilty about it.
How Do I Build A Freelance Business?
The first step is to know what you want to do. If you’re looking for a job, that’s great but if not, that means you’ve got to think about how you want to spend your time. Do you want to work from home? Are there any skills you can teach or services you can provide?
Once you have an idea of what type of work fits best with your lifestyle and schedule, it’s time to start building a brand! Think about how you want people to see your business: do you want them to see it as professional? Fun? Exciting? Friendly? Once you’ve got the right brand identity, it’s time to get out there and market yourself!
How Do I Market My Business?
There are so many ways out there these days! Social media is one of the top ways freelancers market themselves it allows them to create content and interact with their customers regularly.
Other options include blogging, email marketing campaigns, and even in-person events like book signings or speaking engagements at local businesses.
What If I Don’t Know Any Other Freelancers?
You can always look for groups on Meetup or Facebook groups in your area (or even just online) that have events where people can get together without being tied down by work. If there aren’t any in your area, try reaching out to some other freelancers online and see if they’d be interested in starting one up.
What If I’m Nervous About Meeting New People?
Don’t worry. There are lots of ways to meet people without feeling awkward or out of place.
For example, you could attend a networking event where everyone is there for the same reason as you to learn more about freelancing and then just strike up a conversation with someone who looks friendly or interesting.
Or maybe there’s some kind of group activity going on near where you live.
Can I Still Have Friends When I’m A Freelancer?
Yes! Having friends is important, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your career goals to make friends. If you need help finding people to talk with while you’re working, consider joining an online community like Reddit or Facebook groups that are related to your industry or interest area.
How Do I Stay Productive When I’m Working From Home?
It can be hard to stay focused when you’re at home all day and night especially if no one else is around to keep you on track with your work.
But there are lots of ways to stay productive even when working from home: set up accountability meetings with clients or colleagues; get dressed for work each day; go for walks around the neighbourhood, and keep track of how long it takes for you and how much money it takes for each task so that you know how much time you will need to perform all task.
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.