What are we gonna talk about:
- What is Freelancer Burnout?
- What Causes Burnout?
- 7 Strategies to Prevent Freelancer Burnout
- Final Remarks: Can You Truly Avoid Freelancer Burnout?
Freelancing offers opportunities many full-time employees envy—you get flexibility and freedom to work when and where you want and can choose projects that interest you. However, being self-employed also comes with its unique set of challenges.
Burnout is one of the most prevalent issues freelancers face when boundaries between work and personal life get blurred. It’s also the main reason why some people can’t sustain this lifestyle and decide to switch paths.
If you’re a fresh freelancer or someone who’s been in the game for years, it’s essential to recognize and prevent freelancer burnout early. Understanding its root causes and learning how to avoid it can help you thrive and develop your freelance career in the long term.
What is freelancer burnout?
Freelancer burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion experienced by freelancers and provoked by chronic stress, overwork, and inadequate amounts of rest.
Burnout usually establishes itself gradually, and can first impact your energy levels, reduce professional efficiency, and eventually lower your motivation to continue doing what you used to like. Disturbances in sleep, irritability, regular headaches, willingness to procrastinate, and skipping social activities are all typical symptoms of burnout.
What causes burnout?
While burnout is a common modern-day theme among company workers and first responders, freelancers suffer from it rather frequently too. Every third self-employed person has experienced some level of it.
Burnout is often difficult to diagnose as it may be confused with other conditions, such as lack of Vitamin D, iron deficiency, depression, and others, especially in its early stages. It’s also natural to feel less motivated at times or have more challenging weeks which don’t necessarily lead to burning out.
Yet certain aspects of the freelancer lifestyle are particularly risky, increase the possibility of going in the red zone, and can be tackled early on.
Here are the main factors contributing to freelancer burnout:
- Irregular schedule—no fixed working hours leading to a lack of boundaries between work and personal life.
- Overcommitting to projects—taking too many tasks at a time and stressing about disappointing clients.
- Wearing several hats at a time—taking care of all aspects of your business and getting overwhelmed while juggling everything.
- Isolation and loneliness—no colleagues to consult with and rely on, lack of social interactions.
- Financial uncertainty—inconsistent workload and short-term projects leading to increased anxiety about future finances.
7 strategies to prevent freelancer burnout
Whether you have experienced burnout before or would like to take precautions to prevent it, these anti-burnout practices will help you avoid setbacks, and improve your productivity and overall well-being as a freelancer.
- Set working hours
Irregular work schedules are one of the key causes of freelancer burnout. Therefore, setting concrete working hours and sticking to them is essential for maintaining an optimal work-life balance.
Imagine you were employed and would need to be at work, say, from 9 to 5. You wouldn’t stay much longer or work extra shifts regularly. So, treat freelancing like a traditional job and decide upon your work schedule to ensure that evenings and weekends are reserved for relaxation, hobbies, and time with loved ones.
You don’t necessarily need to commit to a rigid schedule as the workload may differ from season to season but try to follow a few ground rules, for example, not working after 5 pm or taking Friday off completely.
It’s also a common practice for freelancers to work a few hours at different times during the day depending on when they’re most productive. When you do so, communicate your working hours to clients upfront, to set clear boundaries and avoid compromising your rest.
- Practice self-care
Self-care is non-negotiable if you want to avoid freelancer burnout. As with working hours, plan regular breaks throughout your workday to rest your mind and body. A short walk around the block during lunchtime, a quick yoga session in between calls, or healthy meals away from screens can lift your energy levels and increase mental clarity.
Setting up a comfortable, organized workspace is also important for self-care. A dedicated area in your house meant exclusively for work can help you mentally separate your professional and personal life. You may also benefit from a shutdown ritual that would help you shift out of “work mode” once your day is done.
If a change of scenery or socializing is necessary to keep you going, consider working from co-working spaces or cafés. Don’t shy away from taking longer coffee breaks or getting a massage in the middle of a workday. You’re the master of your own schedule, so do what makes you feel best and thrive as a freelancer.
- Take real vacations
Many freelancers are infamous for working without proper holidays. Because of the flexible working hours and the ability to work from anywhere, freelancing may seem like a vacation all year round. Yet, it’s no less demanding than a regular job.
Many freelancers also often feel they can’t afford to take time off as they’re solely responsible for their income. However, disconnecting from work completely is necessary for your mental health and energy.
If you’re short on cash, plan regular low-cost getaways over the weekend but if money isn’t a problem, take a couple of weeks off every six months. No emails, client calls, or checking project updates during your holidays. Vacations are meant to help you reset, come back with fresh ideas, and avoid the exhaustion from constantly being “on.”
- Don’t say ‘yes’ to all projects
It’s tempting for freelancers to accept any project that comes their way, especially if they’re just getting started. However, taking on too many projects at a time and overpromising can cause a lot of stress and quickly lead to burnout.
Be selective when accepting projects, considering your interests, availability, and skillset required. It’s interesting to work on new, challenging tasks but feel free to decline projects that don’t align with your expertise and would eat all the time necessary for other assignments.
Make sure to keep track of your project deadlines so that you always know if you have time to commit to extra things. It’s also beneficial to leave room in your schedule for unforeseen circumstances or simply for rest. Sometimes it’s important to say “no” to some things to have the energy to deliver high-quality for the remaining projects.
- Collaborate with other professionals
Freelancers are solo entrepreneurs but it doesn’t mean they have to do everything on their own. In fact, collaborating with other freelancers or hiring professionals for specific tasks can lighten your workload, reduce stress, and feel less lonely. Having another person join your projects can also bring a fresh perspective and new ideas.
Don’t hesitate to outsource accounting, editing, or design work to free up your time for more creative or strategic endeavors. Do invest time building a trusted network of fellow freelancers and specialists you can ask for advice, or share workload during busy periods. You’ll feel much more relieved knowing you’re not alone and have a shoulder to rely on.
- Make time for social activities
Social connection is a basic human need but freelancers often miss out on the human-to-human interactions that traditional office jobs provide. To avoid isolation and emotional burnout, make an effort to meet with other professionals and engage in social activities outside of work.
Join meet-ups or co-working spaces to meet freelancers and industry experts alike. Yet, it doesn’t have to be just about work, so find hobby groups, and sports clubs, or simply plan regular catch-ups with friends and family. Exchanging thoughts and ideas with other individuals will help you recharge emotionally and strengthen your sense of belonging.
- Master financial management
Financial stress is one of the most significant drivers of freelancer burnout. Irregular income paired with regular bills can make any person worry about their financial stability and future as a freelancer.
To mitigate this, create an Excel file or use apps like PocketGuard or YNAB to track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut costs. Consider canceling subscriptions you don’t actively use or could replace them with free alternatives. You may also adopt other money-saving practices, like eating at home or using public transport, to save and cover leaner times.
Alternatively, you could ask for upfront payments or deposits for lengthy projects to ensure consistent cash flow. Focus on establishing good relationships with your clients and delivering great results as that will increase customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.
All these practices will help reduce anxiety and allow you to focus on your work rather than worry about income.
Final remarks: Can you truly avoid freelancer burnout?
Freelancing is an exciting and rewarding career but it also comes with a fair amount of stress and instability. If you’re in it for the long haul, you have to be proactive and follow the strategies outlined above to avoid burnout and ditching your solo entrepreneurship.
Start by setting clear boundaries between your professional and personal life, engaging in social activities, and taking steps towards financial management. That will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and enjoy long-term freelancing success. Remember, prioritizing your well-being isn’t just good for you—it’s good for your business, too.
And if you’re looking for more ways to make your routine tasks easier, consider using Abillio—an invoicing, accounting, and payments platform designed specifically for freelancers alike. You’ll have one less thing to worry about!
