Many people who work from home either struggle to stay motivated to work all day or struggle to “turn it off” and stop working. As a freelance writer, you may fall into the latter group. You may absolutely love to write, and you enjoy using your creative talents to make money. Perhaps you have financial goals you want to meet, and working more hours is helping you to achieve those goals. You may simply not have anything else to do that is worthwhile. After all, wouldn’t you rather write and earn money for your time than stare mindlessly at the TV? While writing isn’t an unhealthy activity by any means, at some point you do have to “turn it off” and enjoy some down time.
Signs You May May a Workaholic Freelance Writer
Some people wholeheartedly embrace their status as a workaholic, and they may even make jokes about it to friends and family. Others, however, may not realize just how much they work. Consider if your friends or family complain about how much you work, and if they feel as though you don’t give them the time and attention they need. Consider if you enjoy other activities, and if you regularly participate in those activities. Writing is a great thing to do, but it cannot be everything you do every day. Consider the last time you had a vacation, and consider if you worked during your vacation. After all, it is easy to bring your laptop with you while you travel.
Why Being a Workaholic Is Not Entirely Healthy
There is nothing wrong with working hard to support yourself and your family financially. However, there is more to life than working. Many workaholics work so many hours that their personal relationships suffer. They become disconnected from friends and family who they care about, and a feeling of being detached develops. Some are so involved in their work that they fail to really see how damaging their intense devotion to their work is. Others work so much that their health suffers. They may forgo exercising regularly and may grab the first thing they find in the fridge to eat rather than try to prepare a healthy meal.
How to Turn It Off
If you can identify with any of these things, you may be a workaholic freelance writer. These are signs that you may need to learn how to turn it off and walk away from your work. So just how can you do that when you are doing something that you both need to do and want to do? Consider establishing a work schedule. Work during those hours, and then don’t touch your computer for the rest of the day. Take time to devote attention to friends and family on a daily basis. If you have let some relationships fall to the wayside, reach out and attempt to reconnect with those individuals. If you still have some free time available, consider starting a new hobby. Keep in mind that new interests pursued and experiences enjoyed will only enrich your life and make you a better freelance writer!
It is great to work hard, but working too hard isn’t good for anyone. If you are a workaholic freelance writer, there’s no time like the present to turn things around.
