5 Tips on Having a Good Work-Life Balance as a Freelancer

Being a freelance proofreader is an excellent opportunity to be completely in charge of your own working hours. However, that sometimes can turn into all work and no play – which isn’t the healthiest of scenarios. To achieve a good work-life balance as a freelancer, make sure you follow these tips:

1. Don’t forget the importance of social contact, especially if you work independently from home.
2. Set yourself some downtime, away from the computer, to do the things you love.
3. Pay attention to your workspace, and make sure you have a dedicated working area.
4. Create a flexible but clear routine to avoid letting work bleed into the rest of your life.
5. Set healthy boundaries to avoid distractions and burnout.

Read on to find out about these tips in more detail.

1. Make Time for Human Interaction

Freelancing can be isolating, especially if you work from home. Without any coworkers and watercooler chats, it’s normal to feel lonely sometimes. However, it’s essential to maintain human interaction in your work life, so:

• Consider signing up for a coworking space. This can keep you in touch with other freelancers and even boost your productivity.
• Connect with other freelancers online. Whether you network via a proofreading society or informally on social media, feeling part of a community can increase your general wellbeing and minimize feelings of loneliness.

If it’s possible for you, you could also suggest meeting your clients in person from time to time. Making sure to factor human interaction into your days will help to stop work feeling all-consuming.

2. Make Sure to Do the Things You Love

The financial side of freelancing can be stressful at times; after all, if you’re not working, you’re not earning. It’s therefore easy to let work creep into your leisure time in the hopes of making more money. But that will only get you one step closer to burning out!

So remember to take time to do the things you enjoy, whether that’s socializing, exercising, watching TV, or just spending quiet time alone. 

Set yourself a finishing time each day and stick to it, and remember to take breaks throughout the day. You should also keep a budget so you can afford to take proper downtime, including holidays.

3. Create a Productive Workspace

It’s tempting to turn every room into a workspace when you work from home: the living room couch, the kitchen table, the bed… And although a change of scenery is nice, remember to set up a proper workspace if you want to concentrate properly on your proofreading work.

The perfect home workspace should be tidy, comfortable, and, ideally, separate from your other areas (even if it’s just a designated desk in the living room). 

4. Have a Routine that Works for You

Creating a daily routine can boost your productivity while giving you a better work-life balance. 

If you add some structure to your day, you’re more likely to stick to your schedule without letting work interfere with leisure time, creating healthy boundaries.

There’s no need to be spartan here: a flexible routine also works. And flexibility, after all, might be one of the reasons you decided to become a freelancer – so allow for some wiggle room and don’t be too hard on yourself. 

5. Know When to Say No

Boundaries are important if you want to maintain a good work-life balance. It might feel scary to turn down a potential client. But saying no to work can be a necessary way to avoid burnout, especially if you already have a lot on your plate or there are changes to your personal circumstances.

This need for boundaries also applies to friends or family members that assume you’re always free for a chat – or even available for running errands – just because you work from home. If this is the case, politely make it clear when you will (and won’t) be available for non-work activities.

Becoming A Proofreader

We hope you found these tips on having a good work-life balance helpful. And if freelance life sounds good, why not take a look at our Becoming A Proofreader course? Sign up for a free trial today.