The good news is that rather than asking how you can find balance, the question should be, “What kind of life do I want to live?” Because if you’re a freelance worker, you get to decide how much work you want to do and how much time you want to spend with your loved ones.
You get to choose how much money you need and how far you’re willing to go to get it. It may sound obvious, but when you remove the idea of balance from the equation, it becomes clear that all you need to do is figure out what will make your life feel full and then get on with doing it.
Here are some questions and answers to help you balance your freelance career with your family life.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Balancing freelancing and family life requires effective time management and prioritization. |
| 2. Freelancing during maternity leave can offer flexibility and income while spending time with your newborn. |
| 3. Establishing boundaries and open communication with clients is key to maintaining work-life balance. |
| 4. Freelancing provides opportunities to continue pursuing creative endeavors and artistic passions. |
| 5. Networking and utilizing online platforms can help freelancers find relevant opportunities in their industry. |
1. How Can I Balance My Freelance Career With Being A Parent?
Balancing your freelance career with your family is no easy task, and it’s something that every freelancer has to figure out for themselves and change as their kids grow. That said, there are some good guidelines you can use when you’re trying to balance your work life and home life.
- Make sure you have enough help: If you have an infant or toddler at home, you need someone who can take care of them while you’re working—unless they are the kind of child who will play happily on their own in their room while you work, which is not very common.
If they are older and can entertain themselves for periods of time, then maybe all you need is someone to keep an eye on them during the times when they are in the house but not in school.
- If your kids are old enough to be in school or daycare full-time, then perhaps all you need is someone who can pick them up from school and watch them until you get home from work. You might even be able to find someone who’s willing to do this for free—maybe a friend or family member would enjoy having your child around during the day.
Time management is crucial for freelancers, especially when juggling work and family responsibilities. Learn effective strategies in our comprehensive guide on Time Management Tips for Freelancers to optimize your productivity and balance both aspects of life.
2. How Do I Explain My Job To My Family Members When We Visit?
This is a great question! If you’re like us, you’ve become accustomed to explaining your job as “social media” or “writing,” but that’s not exactly right. You’re a freelancer—an independent contractor who works on her own terms and sets her own hours. So don’t be afraid to say it out loud—and wear it proudly on your sleeve! (You can also print out shirts with the word “freelancer” on them if you feel like going all out.)
3. Does My Freelance Work Interfere With My Family Life?
It depends on what kind of freelance work you do. Some types of work require a lot of focus and may restrict the amount of time you’re able to spend with your spouse or children. Other kinds of jobs require less concentration and allow more flexibility in scheduling, so they don’t interfere as much.
Balancing freelancing with maternity leave requires careful planning and consideration. Discover valuable insights and tips in our article about Freelancing While on Maternity Leave to ensure a smooth transition during this important time in your life.
4. Can I Still Be Happy If My Freelance Job Takes Up A Lot Of My Time?
Yes! Many people find that balancing their careers with their families makes them feel fulfilled both professionally and personally. If your work requires more hours than usual, then it might be even harder for you to manage everything else outside of work like spending quality time with loved ones, doing chores around the house or getting enough sleep at night. But if that’s worth it because you love what to do then go ahead!
5. What Time Of Day Should I Work On My Freelance Career?
It’s very important to schedule your work time when you are at your most productive, be it morning or late at night. Some people do their best work in the morning while others prefer to work late into the night. It just depends on you, so try out a few different scenarios and take notes about what works best for you.
6. How Do I Know If I’m Working Too Much?
To avoid burnout and make sure you’re balancing work and home life properly, it’s important to set a time limit of how long you’ll work each day. This time limit should have some flexibility though so that when you have a deadline or a very busy week coming up, you can go ahead and give yourself some extra hours to get everything done.
7. What Kind Of Workspace Is Best For Freelancers With Families?
When it comes to choosing a workspace in which to do your freelance work, there are many factors to consider. First of all, it’s helpful if your workspace has empty walls that can be decorated with inspirational art or posters that help motivate you in your daily tasks. It’s also important that the space be quiet enough for you
8. How Do I Set Up A Workspace That Won’t Get Ruined By My Children?
If you don’t have the luxury of a separate room for your office, you have to take other steps to ensure you are using space efficiently. Use efficient storage solutions or cabinets to store items when not in use. Ensure that all cords are safely tucked away. Keep your desk clear of pens and papers, as these can easily become projectiles in the hands of your little ones.
9. What Is A Flexible Schedule?
A flexible work schedule allows you to work outside the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. window, and according to the Department of Labor, there are two main types of flexible schedules: flextime and compressed workweeks.
Flextime gives workers some control over when they start and end their day, while compressed workweek lets full-time employees get their full hours in over fewer days than usual
Freelance writing can be an ideal side job, offering flexibility and additional income. If you’re considering it, explore our list of 18 Reasons Why Freelance Writing May Be the Perfect Side Job and see if it aligns with your goals and interests.
10. How Can I Help My Kids Understand What I’m Doing?
If you’ve got a toddler or preschooler who’s just starting to ask questions about what you’re doing, try using these analogies:
- Explain that you’re “like a doctor” or “like a teacher” who helps people with certain things (like improving their writing or managing their finances).
- Describe how much fun you have working with clients on projects that make them happy.
11. How Do I Make The Most Of My Time?
We recommend setting up a calendar that includes your work hours, the times you need to be at home, and planning to include yourself in some activities that are just for you. When you have it all laid out in front of you, it’s much easier to see what’s really going on!
12. What If I Don’t Have Time To Do Everything On My List?
That’s completely normal! Setting up a calendar helps with this too. Just be sure to write down the things that are absolutely necessary (work, family commitments, etc.) and leave space for other activities. If something doesn’t get done because of this, then it probably wasn’t as important as you thought anyway!
13. How To Give Yourself A Break When You Need One
When you’re a freelancer, it can be hard to tell when you need a break and when you don’t. If something is due in two days, or if there’s an issue with your client, it’s probably not the best time to take a break—you’ll probably feel guilty about it later.
But if the kids are out of school and you have a few hours while they play with the neighbors? That’s the perfect time to take a break.
14. When’s The Best Time To Work?
We all have different schedules. You might be an early bird who hits the ground running at 5 am, or maybe you get most of your work done late at night. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of your natural sleep cycles—whatever they are. It doesn’t really matter when you get stuff done, so long as whatever deadline is looming is met.
So set yourself up for success: If you’re a morning person, schedule a Skype call with a client mid-morning, when you’re feeling fresh and ready to go. If you’re more of a night owl, save tasks like writing or editing for after dinner. And if you’re not sure what kind of worker you are yet, try scheduling multiple calls or meetings at different times of day until you find the time that works best for YOU!
Make the most of your maternity leave as a freelancer by following our comprehensive guide on How to Prepare for and Get the Most Out of Maternity Leave Despite Freelancing. Proactively manage your work and family life to ensure a fulfilling experience.
15. How To Keep Yourself Motivated
I recommend setting up office space and sticking to a schedule. Find an area of your home that is dedicated to your freelancing career and only do work in this area. Don’t clutter it with papers and other distractions – if you feel overwhelmed by the clutter, you’ll lose focus.
To keep yourself on track, create a schedule that works for you and stick to it, but don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go according to plan sometimes. We all have bad days where nothing seems to go right or feel like they’re falling apart at the seams; just remember that tomorrow is another day full of new opportunities!
16. How To Maintain A Healthy Relationship With Your Spouse
The key is to communicate, communicate, communicate.
This may sound obvious, but it can be all too easy for freelance professionals to neglect this aspect of their relationship especially when you’re constantly busy with client deadlines and other professional responsibilities.
It’s also important to draw boundaries that allow for time for yourself as an individual and for time with your family this way, you can get the alone time you need and avoid overwhelming your spouse with work talk.
Make sure you are talking about things other than work, and when the inevitable work talk happens? Try not to blame them or make them feel responsible for your stress or unhappiness, even if you’re feeling that way. Remember that they’re most likely dealing with their own unique set of stressors, too.
17. What Do I Do If My Partner Doesn’t Support My Freelance Career?
It’s really important to remember that your freelance career is a big deal, and it takes a lot of work to build it up and make it successful. Your partner should know this, and respect you for the hard work you’re putting in. If they don’t seem to be supportive of your decisions or are making you feel guilty, it’s time to have a serious talk.
- Try talking about how much you love working from home, and how much you appreciate the flexibility it gives you to spend more quality time with your family. Explain that your goals, as well as the goals of your family all, align with your freelance career and that by supporting you, they’re helping everyone achieve those goals.
- If they still don’t seem to get on board after that, then maybe it’s time to look at other options. One option would be to find another place within the house or outside of the house where you can do your work. This way you can focus on what you need to do without feeling like someone is hovering over your shoulder.
- You could also try switching up your routine a little bit by working while they’re sleeping or when they’re away from the house so that when they come home they won’t see any changes in their daily routine.
18. I’m A Freelancer And A Mom. How Do I Find Time To Work?
This is a great question! When you’re a freelancer and a mom, you have to be able to juggle all of your responsibilities and sometimes that can feel overwhelming.
If you’re working from home, make sure that your kids are occupied in another room while you’re working. This can be done with TV or an activity like drawing or playing with toys (depending on their age), or if possible have the child’s other parent be at home so they can watch them. If you’re going out of the house, consider taking them to daycare for a few hours so you can focus on work without any interruptions.
It may also help to set milestones for yourself as far as what goals you want to accomplish each day. Having something tangible that you can check off of your list will help keep you on track and moving toward your goals, even when it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day.
19. Is It Possible To Be Successful As A Freelancer If You Have Kids Or Are Married?
YES! It is not only possible, it’s also been done before. There are thousands of examples of freelancers who have successful careers and happy families. The key to making this combination work is to be present for each part of your life.
In order to be present for your family, you have to limit the amount of time you devote to freelance work. If you make an agreement with your family that you will only work up until a certain hour each day, then stick with that agreement by setting an alarm on your phone or computer to remind yourself when it’s time to turn off the computer and walk away.
This will help prevent you from accidentally missing a quality experience in your personal life because you got so wrapped up in your work that you lost track of time.
20. How Do I Set Boundaries With My Family?
Setting boundaries is a huge part of balancing your freelance career with your family. When you don’t set boundaries, you risk burning out and being less productive—which is no good for anyone!
One way to set boundaries is to have a specific time of day when you’re done working. Let your partner know that from 9:00-5:00 every day you’re going to be working and that they shouldn’t expect anything different of you during those hours. Then make sure they understand that after 5:00, you’re done working until the next day. Setting this kind of clear expectation upfront will help ensure you’re able to focus on work during the day, and also that you don’t end up resenting your family for pulling you away from your work.
21. How Do I Set Boundaries With My Clients?
You can’t work all day and all night, and not just because you don’t want to put your family on the back burner. You have to take care of yourself, too. If you’re burning out, it’s going to be harder for you to consistently do good work for your clients. It’s also going to have a negative impact on your family life.
The biggest key to setting boundaries is letting your clients know what those boundaries are. Let them know when you’re not available for work—for instance, if you won’t be able to respond on weekends, or if you need at least two hours after dinner before you can even think about checking email.
Don’t feel pressured into working during times that are off-limits—and make sure your clients understand that they shouldn’t expect an immediate response from you during those times either.
Freelancing has its ups and downs, and it’s essential to maintain a positive perspective. Our article on Freelancing Isn’t Always Great, But It’s Always a Good Time delves into the realities of freelancing, helping you navigate challenges and cherish the rewarding moments.
22. What Do You Do When You Feel Overwhelmed?
I am a huge proponent of meditation, and I have found that if I just sit for 10-15 minutes with my eyes closed and try to focus on my breathing, I can usually clear my mind and refocus on the task at hand.
Another thing I do is write things down. By writing down what’s going on in my head, I can get it out of my mind and onto paper, which frees up space for me to focus on the task at hand instead of worrying about all the other things that need to get done.
This is especially helpful for me when I’m working on multiple projects at once—it helps me keep track of all the moving parts without getting overwhelmed by them.
23. What Kind Of Office Space Should I Have?
If you’re going to be freelancing from home, it’s important to set up a dedicated space for doing so. If you have an extra room that’s empty, that’s the ideal situation, but if not, don’t worry! You can make just about any space work.
Set up the room with your computer and anything else you’ll need. If you have a printer/copier, scanner, fax machine, or anything else along those lines, it doesn’t need to be in the office. Some people like to set up their office outside of the house—that works too! Just get whatever space works best for you.
The most important thing is to make sure it’s a place where you can relax and focus on your work. That means making sure it’s comfortable and free from distractions (so no TVs). Don’t put up photos of your family—or if you do, make sure they’re out of reach so you aren’t tempted to stop working and chat with them when they pass by!
You might also want to consider having a “closed-door” policy. That way anyone who comes over will know that unless it’s an emergency, they shouldn’t come in or disturb you until you’re done for the day.
24. Can I Tell My Clients I Have Kids?
Absolutely tell your clients you have kids. You’ll see why in a bit.
First, you should know that you’re not alone in this. The majority of freelancers are parents, so they understand what it’s like to juggle work and home life. Many of them are parents themselves!
The fact that you’re asking this question shows that you care about your clients and put their needs first. That’s exactly the kind of person clients will want to work with. It shows them that you’re invested in the work and that you value your relationship with them.
Second, telling your clients about the other people in your life will help humanize you for them. They’ll have a better sense of who you are as a person, not just as a business owner or a freelancer.
Most freelancers focus on being great at what they do, but we don’t often share much about ourselves beyond that—probably because we’re scared of seeming unprofessional (or maybe we just hate talking about ourselves!).
But the truth is, talking about things you love besides work is one of the best ways to build rapport with clients and grow your business. And if some of those things happen to be the people closest to you (like your kids), then why hide it
Takeaway
Finding a way to balance your freelance career with your family can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Whether you’re married, with kids, or both, the tips shared above should hopefully put you on the right track to success. Keep these tips in mind, and be sure to research your options thoroughly before diving in.
And never forget that this is a journey, and one that doesn’t have to—and shouldn’t—be approached alone. Good luck!
Further Reading
Creative Freelancing: Explore insightful musings and tips on creative freelancing to elevate your freelance career and artistic endeavors.
How to Balance Freelance and Family Life: Discover effective strategies for striking a harmonious balance between freelancing and family responsibilities.
5 Tips for Freelancers Juggling Work and Kids: Learn valuable tips from experienced freelancers on how to manage your workload while caring for your children.
FAQs
How can I improve my time management as a freelancer?
Efficient time management is crucial for freelancers. Start by creating a detailed schedule, prioritizing tasks, and using productivity tools to stay organized.
Is it possible to maintain work-life balance as a freelancer?
Yes, work-life balance is achievable as a freelancer. Set boundaries, allocate time for personal activities, and communicate openly with clients to establish a healthy balance.
What are the benefits of freelancing while on maternity leave?
Freelancing during maternity leave offers flexibility and the ability to continue earning income while spending time with your newborn. It allows you to transition back to work gradually.
How can I find freelance opportunities in my industry?
Utilize online platforms and freelance marketplaces, network with industry professionals, and showcase your skills through a well-crafted portfolio and online presence.
How do I handle irregular income as a freelancer?
To manage irregular income, create a budget, build an emergency fund, and consider setting up payment terms with clients that include partial upfront payments.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!