Welcome to Writer Rants–where every Friday a writer just lets loose on whatever the heck is bugging her this week. Enjoy.
My dear Virginia, I know it seems as if I am constantly working. After all, you see me working on weekends, early in the morning, and late at night. The computer is not actually glued to my lap; it can be surgically removed.
Yes, I do check for assignments on my phone whenever we are out doing errands. No, my phone is not attached to my left hand. In fact, I can put the phone down and leave it in the house for more than the time that it takes to charge. . . no, wait. . .I don’t want to leave it right now!
If you feel like your computer and phone are becoming part of your body, it is time to take a vacation! Not only are freelancers allowed to take vacations, they are necessary to refuel and reinvigorate your creativity. We, humans, are not designed to work continually without taking a break. That is why we invented weekends and lunch time.
However, freelancers often do not take advantage of lunch time and weekends and, therefore, we need to take vacations from our work.
No Budget For Travel?
You don’t have to leave your home town for a vacation. You can turn off your phone and computer and LEAVE THE HOUSE. Visit a museum, take in a play, or go to a baseball game. Invite friends over for tea or a beer or two.
Freelance travel bloggers can even use the time to vacation somewhere that they haven’t visited yet and add the trip to their repertoire.
What About Clients?
Let your clients know ahead of time that you are taking time off. After all, they take vacations, so they have heard of the concept. Ask them to plan their deadlines before or after your time off. If you must, you can check for jobs once a day while you are gone. Just don’t get sucked into working on your vacation.
What If I Miss Something?
As a freelancer, you do not have to do everything by yourself. Many freelancers are control freaks and hate to delegate; however it is better than losing your sanity by never taking a break. Hire a virtual assistant to help with administrative tasks or leave your voicemail on.
I Am Not the Center of the Universe.
The world will go on without you for one or two weeks.
- Book a non-refundable vacation so you don’t have a choice of backing out.
- Set firm rules for yourself of when and how you will check in.
- Plan ahead and let your clients know your departure and return date.
- And as said by Alex Fayle in How to Plan a Freelancer Vacation So You Can Refuel,
“Give yourself permission to relax knowing that the world will not end while you’re away having a life (for once).”
Paula A will be taking a vacation to Niagara-on-the-Lake with her family and turning off her computer and phone for several hours at a time.
