How to Be a Freelancer When You’re Feeling Down and Depressed
You can navigate through the fog — and come out on the other side.
For many people, the thought of having your own business and being your own boss is the holy grail of income and lifestyle. You can start and finish work when you want while in the comfort of your own home. No workplace politics to worry about. What could be better?
According to Forbes, there are over 53 million freelancers in America today. The current Covid-19 pandemic is creating a big shift towards remote working and thus playing into the hands of the freelancing community. More businesses are choosing to outsource work that freelancers can capitalize on.
For some, freelancing is a roaring success, straight out of the blocks, while for others not so much. If you suffer from depression, then certain problems can present themselves that need to be overcome to move ahead.
If you are a freelancer with no sick pay cover, you can’t afford to lose work through illness
Social isolation and loneliness
A recent freelancer loneliness survey by Viking found that 56% of the freelancers interviewed suffered from depression as a result of their job. Another 62% said that they suffered from work-related stress.
This survey also discovered that freelancers find it difficult to switch off when on vacation. A third of freelancers take their work with them.
Jenny Stallard, lifestyle journalist, author, and founder of Freelance Feels says of this research,
“I would urge any freelancers to try not to put on a brave face with friends and family. It’s ok to say if you’re not coping, and if you are really struggling, there are charities such as the Samaritans that can help”
She also recommended that it's important to take small steps. This would include communicating with other freelancers via Facebook groups, the phone, and meetup events, as these resources can boost your mental health.
Self-sabotage
According to Psychology Today, self-sabotage is when we actively or passively take steps to prevent ourselves from reaching our goals. You may feel undeserving of success or happiness. This can be very dangerous as it can have a very negative impact on confidence and self-esteem.
Self-sabotage can also create the feeling that it is better to control your failures rather than believe in the possibility that you can succeed. This self-destructive mindset can be active when suffering from depression as confidence is damaged and procrastination starts to kick in.
Procrastination is when we continually find excuses to delay or not do something important to progress. As a freelancer progression is important if you want to make a reasonable living.
Perfectionism is another trait of self-sabotage. According to Entrepreneur, you might convince yourself that you can’t take action or move on until everything is perfect and all boxes are ticked. With freelancing, that may include feeling that you need to learn a new set of skills before you can accept a project, even though in reality you are already good enough.
Rather than self-sabotage, take the time for self-reflection and understand why you keep shooting yourself in the foot. Have a deeper awareness of what you want and what your desires and motivations are.
Successful freelancers will take the time to understand their decisions and actions. They learn from their failures, readjust, and move on. Only through self-reflection can you gain the necessary perspective, insight, and understanding to allow changes that will put you on the right track.
Prioritize your mental health
When it comes to freelancing and depression, it’s very important to look after your mental and physical health, which often go hand in hand.
Decent suggests that you should:
Add exercise to your routine
You don’t need to go running for two hours. Just make sure you take regular breaks and keep moving. Grab some fresh air, go for a walk with the dog if you can. If you feel like a more intense exercise routine, go for a light jog, cycle, or join the local gym.
Prioritize self-care
Burn out can be very common with freelancers, so it’s very important to take time for yourself. You are already taking on the important task of pleasing your client and doing a good job. By taking time for yourself, you will become more productive and happier at the same time.
If you have been putting your favorite hobbies off because you feel guilty that you need to dedicate all your time to your business, don’t do that. Create a good balance and find the time to have some fun. It will make you a better freelancer and a better person. Schedule it when planning your week.
Build up a support system
Networking is very important. By getting to know fellow freelancers and making friends, you can build up a support system to help you on your freelancing journey.
When you work for a company and you are in a team, you can often lean on each other for support, advice, and social chat. That isn't there as a freelancer, so you must create your own. Slack and Discord are two excellent ways to chat with fellow professionals if you need some advice or help.
Zoom and Microsoft Teams are now very popular if you want to collaborate on projects. The bottom line is you don’t need to go it alone if you are willing to reach out and make some friends. Networking is definitely a good way to combat depression and get help.
Final thoughts
Depression need not stop you from being a successful freelancer. You will, however, need to safeguard yourself against the potential pitfalls that can arise.
Social isolation and loneliness are problems that can be solved by being open with your family and friends about how you are feeling and seek personal support when you need it.
Self-sabotage can cause problems because you are getting in your own way. That can include procrastination and perfectionism. It is important to reflect on what you are trying to achieve and have a solid plan. Don’t let the finer details stop you from getting things done.
Looking after your mental health is another vital strategy. Be sure to take breaks and get some exercise to regenerate yourself and do your best work. Take time out to have fun and realize that life is not all about work. Build a support system of fellow professionals to seek help and advice when things get difficult.
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” –Albert Einstein
Do you suffer from depression? How is it affecting your freelancing career? Let me know in the comments.
