It may seem like the freelance life is the perfect way to work, but it’s not for everyone. For some of us it’s a real struggle (as much of a struggle as it is for some people to get up and get to the office). Today I thought I’d look back to see how far I’ve come. I wrote this in 2010. I’m sharing it today to remind me of my progress and to encourage others that it can be done!
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I wish I could tell you that this post is all about how I’ve made it work, but it’s not. It’s about my constant shifting, trying to figure out what system works the best for me.
This summer hasn’t been the most typical, so I never got into a groove. I worked hard through the end of May and June to figure out a nice routine. I managed to meet my weekly deadlines, as well as research some new outlets and submit a few pieces. Things were clicking…
Then I took three wonderful weeks off in July to visit family. I accomplished virtually nothing in the writing world, but I don’t mind a bit. I spent hours each day with two nieces and a nephew whom I only see for a week or two at a time every 4-6 months. I would do it all over again. However…it completely threw off my routine.
I’m now two weeks into the home life and getting settled again. It hasn’t been easy. Even though I’m in my natural habitat, it’s been a weird summer. With 80+ degree days and 90% humidity in an un-air conditioned home, it’s been hard to focus. Add to that the joy of harvest season, and I find myself waist-deep in zucchini, cucumbers, and squash that all need to be cooked or processed before they spoil.
Thankfully my efforts in May and June weren’t wasted: I’ve still been able to meet all of my deadlines and keep up with the work that I have. Unfortunately, that’s all I’ve been able to do. I’m not picking up new work, and I’m not writing fiction – those are the two things I want to do more than anything else!
That’s why I’m going to schedule for it. Sure, it’d be nice to “wait on the muse” and turn to fiction when I’m feeling inspired, but that might happen in the middle of my workout, or during errands. By the time I finish, the moment is gone, so I shrug it off and do something else. Sadly that’s been happening for far too long. No more.
I’m not sure when I’m going to do it, but by the end of this week I’ll have picked a weekly time when I can research new outlets and a weekly time when I can work on fiction. Because of my bizarre schedule and my hubby’s crowded schedule, I need to figure out what will give us time together, too. I’m sure I can figure it out.
(Of course, all of this will change in about three weeks – that’s when my husband’s company moves them to a new building – it’ll change his work week, which will change mine. That’s okay…I’ll make it work).
This post originally appeared on www.karinbeery.com/blog.
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