Have you felt totally drained from work lately? Like you just can’t muster up any more motivation or creativity?
Well you might be experiencing BURN-OUT! But don’t worry, you’re not alone. As the World Health Organization says, it’s totally normal to feel this way when workplace stress goes UNCHECKED!
Burnout 101: According to WHO, burnout comes from CHRONIC, long-term stress that you haven’t properly managed
But wait, there’s more! Burnout can also show up through:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Cynicism
- Reduced Creativity
- Low Self-Esteem
Ever felt any of those symptoms? Then you just might be experiencing the dreaded B-word!
The Good News: Burnout is totally treatable with the right strategies. You’ve got this! With some self-care and stress management, you can beat burnout.
We’ll get to the solutions in a bit, but first things first – recognizing the signs is half the battle.
Why Freelancers Face Big Burnout Risks
Chasing that next project can be straight-up stressful! But did you know all that hustle makes you way more prone to burnout? Believe it – here’s why you need to watch out:
a. The Never-Ending Hustle
Doesn’t the never-ending hustle just wear you down sometimes? Pitch after pitch, with no end in sight. It’s relentless, isn’t it?
You must keep networking, promoting, chasing leads – but how long can you keep up that breakneck pace? The rejections sting too, don’t they?
It’s proposal after proposal with no break. Wouldn’t you love a chance to recharge? But there’s always more work to be had, more clients to chase.
When does it end? The hustle never lets up. Day in, day out, it’s a constant grind.
I mean, how long can you reasonably keep this madness up before it takes its toll? No wonder so many of us reach our limit.
b. Long Working Hours
Tell me about it! When those deadlines bear down, it’s like the clock stops existing.
All of a sudden, you’re pulling all-nighters just to get it all done. Coffee becomes your best friend as the hours bleed into one another.
But how sustainable is this? Running at a hundred miles an hour just to keep up – it takes its toll, doesn’t it?
When do you get a chance to recharge? There’s never enough time in the day as it is!
TRUST me, working long hours isn’t sustainable. Your well-being has to come before any project.
c. Feeling All Alone
Don’t you just hate those lonely work days? No watercooler chats or team lunches to look forward to.
It’s just you and your computer for company. Can start to feel pretty isolating.
We all need social time, but who do you get it with when you’re your own boss?
Sure you text friends, but it’s not the same as shooting the breeze in person.
This distant, alone stuff will grind anyone down after awhile.
d. Lacking Feedback
Praise and feedback – don’t you just crave that validation sometimes?
But freelancers don’t have a boss to check in, or a team to high five wins with. You just push send and hope for the best. Rarely do clients toss you a “great job!”
How do you even know you’re doing well without that outside perspective? It’s tough staying motivated in that kind of feedback vacuum. Anyone would start questioning their worth.
e. Scope Creep Strikes Again
Ugh, scope creep – don’t even get me started!
You carefully estimate the job, get it all scoped out nice and neat. But then extra tasks just keep piling on!
Before you know it, the project has morphed into a whole other beast. And does the budget ever expand with it? Rarely!
It’s like clients think freelancers are a never-ending resource. You do your best to swallow the added workload. But we all have our limits, right?
f. Low Pay Doesn’t Help
I’m sure we’ve all been there – shortchanging ourselves just to save or land a client. But how long is it sustainable?
No one works just for the glory. Especially not when bills are piling up and the bank account stays low. Gets pretty stressful!
You pour your heart into each project but is it worth it for pennies? For how long? When does chasing measly paychecks start feeling like a chore?
Money may not buy happiness, but poverty rarely fuels passion either. It’s a tough spot, friend. Struggling with money stresses can really take the fun out of freelancing.
g. High Hopes Hurt Us
High hopes, they’re like a double-edged sword.
We all want that elusive big break, right? But dreaming too big can set us up for fall. Seeing unattainable fantasies as the norm surely plays with our heads. Before we know it, small wins feel tiny and failures feel huge.
No one can sustain bouncing from one “what if” straight to the next without burning out.
But how do you stay fired up without lofty goals? It’s a tricky line to tread for sure.
Wait, Burnout Can Make Me Sad and Anxious Too?
I know, what a bummer right?! But unfortunately true – burnout isn’t just about feeling tired.
Left unchecked, it can potentially spiral into some bigger mental health issues down the line. Stick with me though, there’s hope!
Same Sad Symptoms.
Burnout and depression surprisingly share physical signs like zero energy and sleep struggles.
Been there after a mega stressful deadline – I felt like I was going through a breakup with work!
Anxious Triggers Too.
With work constantly making our hearts race, it’s no shock burnout can increase general anxiety. My coworking sessions now include chill meditation breaks to release workplace tension
Now I’m not saying burnout 100% causes depression or anxiety. But that overload of prolonged stress definitely doesn’t help things!
Hold Up, They’re Not All the SAAAME?
I know, it’s confusing with all these mental health terms floating around. But stick with me – it’s important we differentiate.
- Burnout is primarily about work-related stress overload
- Depression affects multiple life areas like relationships and activities
- Anxiety is a more general response to perceived threats
In other words…
- BURNOUT = work stress gone wild
- DEPRESSION = bigger multifaceted mood and behavioral changes
- ANXIETY = a reaction to danger, real or imagined
See the distinctions? They may have overlapping symptoms but come from different root causes.
The Takeaway?
Don’t stress (ha!) if you’re not 100% sure which one applies – that’s what professionals are for.
But knowing they’re not identical helps us tailor our self-care plans. Like for burnout, we’ll focus on work-life balance tactics. Simple but effective!
Got it all straight now? Great, because up next are some proven strategies to cure ALL types of mental fatigue for good! Your mind and motivation are about to be restored.
Burnout-Busting Strategies That Actually Work!
Alright friends, we made it to the good part! Now that you recognize the burnout signals, it’s time to kick those zappy symptoms to the curb for good.
And I promise these strategies really work – I’ve used them myself to stay fired up!
1. Make Time for Fun with People
Are you ready to ditch that drained feeling for good? I know social time can fall by the wayside, but it’s key to recharge.
Why not commit to weekly happy hours? Grab your crew after a hard week’s work – I guarantee laughter with people you care about will boost your mood like nothing else.
Got room for one more activity? Pick your favorite – dance lessons, game nights, hiking Sundays. Block it out and make connections a non-negotiable.
Because isn’t it true that being around others energizes you in a way isolating alone never can? People fuel our passion and help us feel not so alone in this hustle.
2. Take Mini Breaks and Big Vacays
Who says you need a big trip to refresh? Even just 5mins away from your screen reboots the brain.
Go stretch those legs, chat with a plant – trust me, mini-breaks throughout the day leave you feeling like a new human.
And when was the last time you took some real time off? Shut work off completely and unwind!
A little time away does wonders, whether it’s enjoying nature, vegging out or exploring your town. The break helps you recharge and return with fresh vision, determined to kill it.
Ever since I started SOCIALIZING AND UNPLUGGING, my work days feel half as long!
3. Learn to Say NO!
Are you ready to free up some space in that overloaded schedule of yours? I know it’s tough, but making NO a habit is so important for your well-being!
Setting limits means prioritizing YOU. And isn’t it about time you started putting yourself higher on the list?
I hear you, turning down tasks feels scary at first. But I promise, that “no” lets you fly through what’s important stress-free!
4. Master Boundary Setting
Whether it’s turning off emails at a set hour or avoiding workspaces off the clock, carving those lines ensures down time stays just that.
I know blurring the two is tempting, but a little bit of self-control goes a long way for wellbeing.
Not sure where to start? No sweat, just pick one small change like “No screens 1 hour before bed” or “No emails after 6pm.” Tiny shifts make a big difference over time.
This isn’t about sacrificing hustle – it’s about protecting your passion so it stays Lit! You can’t pour from an empty cup, right?
5. Implement Healthy Habits, People!
Movement and nutrition fuel the brain and body, so let’s get you feeling invincible!
Whether it’s a quick walk at lunch, an at-home yoga flow or dancing to hits in your room – make movement you love non-negotiable. Twenty minutes a day is all it takes to reap benefits, I swear!
And don’t forget about fueling up right. Cook wholesome meals on the weekend to grab easy all week. No more rushed takeout – nourish yourself!
Heck, why not challenge yourself to try one new fitness class or healthy recipe each week? A bit of variety keeps it lively.
Remember – you can’t show up for work if you’re not showing up for YOU first.
6. Prioritize Quality Sleep
Who’s ready for some quality Zzz’s? I know late nights can lure us in, but nothing fuels creativity like well-rested brains!
Whether it’s 7, 8 or 9 hours, respect what your body needs to feel replenished each night. Set an earlier alarm and put away devices.
Sleep is actually the best way to wake up motivated and ready to rock. When we skimp, burnout creeps closer for sure.
7. Join a Support Squad ASAP!
Who’s ready to level up their motivation with an unstoppable support squad? Because together, we can smash any challenge that comes our way!
Whether meetups near you or online groups, surrounding yourself with others crushing their goals keeps you inspired.
Accountability buds and expert friends saved me so many times. Monthly calls with my freelance besties keep me inspired.
Also, online forums became my second fam.
8. Get Serious About Structure
Are you ready to get ultra-organized and on top of all the things? Because a little structure goes a long way towards crushing burnout for good!
Whether it’s apps to plan your day and track tasks, or color-coded notebooks to stay on schedule, getting systems in place means less time floundering.
See each thing you accomplish by checking it off? Now THAT is satisfying and keeps the momentum going strong.
9. Invoicing, Calendar, Contracts – Automate Them!
Woohoo, it’s time to streamline those tedious to-dos! Automating the regulars is key to saving precious hours.
Invoicing, scheduling meetups, drafting contracts – imagine having templates to copy on repeat. Sign me up for that efficiency!
No more time down the drain on little stuff so you can zoom through bigger things instead.
Templates = major time superpower!
Feeling overwhelmed with paperwork pileup? I promise a few drag-and-drop templates can be your invoice savior.
And whether Google or Airtable, let systems be your personal assistant so you’re free to focus on the fun creative stuff!
Final Thoughts – You’ve Got This!
We’ve come to the end of our burnout-busting bootcamp! I hope these strategies have you feeling motivated to thrive as a freelancer for years to come.
Remember that burnout endangers your success AND sanity! But now you have the tools and mindset to beat it into the ground. Woo!
