16 June 2010
by 
“I soon found out you can’t change the world. The best you can do is to learn to live with it.” — Henry Miller
Life is pretty chaotic for freelancers, isn’t it? I mean, besides the fact that there’s the whole family-work balance act going on, there’s also the work-cyber surfing thing.
First, let’s chat about real life.
Everything from family obligations to friends to extra jobs to emergencies to broken appliances and everything in-between calls us away from what we do: freelance work.
Since freelancers work from home, most people assume we’re always available for their beckon call. Granted, a lot of times these things are important and we really should tend to them, many times people just want a babysitter or gofer and think you’re it.
This isn’t tag. Remember that game?
Anyway, real life is chaotic. Cars need maintenance. Appointments need to be kept for family members — or ourselves! It never seems to end. And it won’t.
That’s why we freelancers are good at what we do: we adapt. Right? Right!
Now, let’s talk about cyber space.
Maybe there are tons of freelancers who don’t have a problem with getting lost in cyber space. Perhaps you turn your computer on, focus on research, write articles until quitting time and repeat the next day. I know quite a few who have a little trouble being that disciplined, though.
Why? There’s social media, an endless sea of awesome blogs and websites to read, games to play, and then there’s that thing called e-mail most of us find ourselves checking a gazillion times a day so we can keep our inbox whittled down to an e-mail count that won’t overwhelm us (like it does when you don’t check it a gazillion times a day!).
Just because you stimulate (aka relax!) your brain with social media, Internet reading breaks, or even play games doesn’t mean you’re a deadbeat.
And the balancing war
It’s all about balance, isn’t it? Moderation is key. A little social media, e-mail here and there, a game to reward yourself, getting up-to-date on your favorite blog once that assignment is half-way complete — all these things are stepping stones (read: resting spots so you can keep your sanity intact).
Being too hard on ourselves isn’t the answer. If you never take a break or allow ourselves the pleasure of reading a blog (or whatever it is that you find appealing) then you might grow weary.
Being a weary freelancer is no fun. You don’t have to shirk all your responsibilities and become a cyber beach bum but you certainly don’t have to deprive yourself of cyber fun either.
How do you win the war? What’s your secret to balancing real life, cyber life, and freelance work? Are you a stickler for pressing through even though you’re feeling burnt out and need a break? Or do you visit the social media water coolers or play games and then go back to your work once you’ve rested your mind from writing? Do you check your e-mail continuously? What works for you?
Photo Credit:Â svilen001
Quote Credit:Â Quote Garden
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sharon Hurley Hall, Michele L. Tune and RawJuiceGirl, laffarsmith. laffarsmith said: Latest at WRA: http://www.craftingfiction.com/?p=3993 (Freelancing: The War Between Real Life, Cyber Surfing, and Work) @laffarsmith [...]
Online there are so many things I’d like to read, people I’d like to chat with, links I’d like to follow. I could spend a few minutes on Twitter and see a dozen blog posts shared that look interesting. There must be millions that go through the Twitter stream when I’m NOT there and it took about three sleepless days before I realized that I just had to let the stream flow. I can’t be there to catch everything, there just isn’t enough time in the day. So I trust that the universe will make sure the ones I need come when I can receive them and I let everything else go.
To go with that I found it was important to give myself strict boundaries. I check my check my email and social networks at intervals instead of constantly. And I set time limits and deadlines on day to day tasks. There are things on my “must do every day” list that are non-negotiable.
But ultimately, the key for me is flexibility. Because of Bipolar there are times when I just CAN’T do something. Forcing myself to try makes things worse. I go with my gut and “relax” with a book, movie, or game when I’m struggling against my swinging moods. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and go where the flow takes me.
At times I suspect I could be steaming down the river of life much more quickly if I kept the motor running. Instead I’ll let the current carry me. I figure we all get there eventually and if I were speeding I’d miss the scenery on the way.
Hmmm…. I had responded to this. Wonder why it isn’t showing up?
Yes, there ARE a lot of things to read for sure. I have to be careful, too, or I could spend WAY too much time reading blogs and other interesting things or just looking at pretty pictures. I have to prioritize and turn my attention to things that NEED to be done. It’s hard, though!
I still think I need a break here and there to just keep my mind and spirit fresh and going.
Thanks for sharing, Rebecca. You’re SO right: At times I suspect I could be steaming down the river of life much more quickly if I kept the motor running. Instead I’ll let the current carry me. I figure we’ll all get there eventually and if I were speeding I’d miss the scenery on the way.
True, true!!!
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You said: I had responded to this. Wonder why it isn’t showing up?
Opps! I hope it wasn’t in the hour or so I was doing the switch from Writer’s Round-About to Crafting Fiction. I deliberately chose a time of day/night when most of our readers aren’t around because once I grabbed the database from one side and plug it into the other we risked missing the in-between.
Thanks for taking the time to reply, twice.
I think the hardest part is keeping the balance. Especially when it comes to networking online. We want to build community spirit so it’s important to interact but networking with others can be very time consuming. I know I could hang out and chat all day with people if I let myself. Instead I try to keep a balance, sometimes unsuccessfully. And I often feel like I need to get out and about with people online and off more than I’ve found time to do.
I guess, like your recent post, “Writing Time: Early Bird Or Night Owl?“, I have to schedule it. MAKE time, because I won’t find any more than the 24 hours each and every day already has.
Rebecca Laffar-Smith shares: Writer’s Round-About Becomes The Craft of Writing Fiction!
That may have been it — but it’s okay!
Yes, balance is the hardest part. Phew!
It is time consuming most of the time.
Right, we won’t find time. We have to MAKE the time… And thanks for plugging my latest post!
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl shares: Amazing Grass Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar Review
I really hope other folks think your post right here is as handy as I have.
I am a freelance writer too and it seems I am glued to the computer seat most of my waking hours.. I recently banned myself from the computer now from 6pm til 6am to spend more time with my family and actually talk!
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