Dear freelancers,
Life is like the Nile and we are all traveling on it in our own little sailboat. On a journey from the source to the sea. From birth to death. Let’s not kid ourselves – we know where our journey ends. We know it and most people suppress it very successfully. We are only confronted with it when we lose loved ones and when we get older. When we are reminded that the river inevitably flows into the sea. That it is pointless to equip the boat with a loud, expensive outboard motor just to get to the destination faster. Just to impress other people in the boats next to us. Because the reality is – the others in their boats and on their journeys are usually not interested in us or our journey…
Especially as a freelancer, you usually work alone and are regularly isolated. You realize sooner than the masses that you have to steer your boat every day and take responsibility for your trip. You sit at your PC, easel or workshop for hours on end and work for your dream. For your future. For determining the direction of your boat yourself. Not to let go of the helm in order to increase someone else’s wealth every day in a nine-to-five job.
You will lose people on your journey who call themselves your friends or who you call your friends. Who don’t understand that you don’t go out partying on Saturday nights because you want to work on your dream. Who don’t understand that you don’t check in all the time because you’re in the flow and forget the time. They don’t understand that you don’t want to drink beer with them and would rather use your time productively.
But I have good news for you – you will meet others on your journey. People who understand you. Who share your passion. Who know that you have to take this path. Other freelancers. And people who understand your path. Who want to see you succeed and who enjoy it.
How can you deal better with isolation as a freelancer? Here are 10 tips to help you deal with isolation:
1. Coworking spaces: here you are not alone and can make interesting contacts. You can also draw a clear line between your private life and your freelance work.
Here are some sites where you can find coworking spaces:
https://www.regus.com/ (here you will also find private offices and conference rooms)
2. Coworking sessions with other freelancers – find someone in your industry. Network with each other. And work in a joint session. If you are an artist, for example, you can paint/work together in a studio or in the great outdoors.
3. Take regular breaks. Plan regular breaks to clear your head. To get some sun. To drink a coffee or tea. After an hour at the latest, you can continue working with more concentration. These breaks should not be spent on social media or in front of the TV. Neither will increase your creativity or concentration. They are time wasters. 5-10 minutes can quickly turn into 2 hours.4. attend networking events and trade fairs in your industry. Network with each other. Gather inspiration and ideas together. Maybe even virtually in a webinar.
4. Have a virtual coffee with other freelancers or friends (you can also maintain social contacts here! 😉 ). Exchange ideas. Inspire each other. Listen to each other. Be there for each other. It’s so incredibly important in this day and age.
5. Attend networking events and trade fairs in your sector. Network with each other. Gather inspiration and ideas together. Maybe even virtually in a webinar.
6. Create clear times in which you work. Plan your week as early as Sunday evening if possible.
7. Cultivate your hobbies outside of your freelance work or take up a hobby. You need a balance.
8. For example, maybe do some sport. It reduces stress and the endorphins help you. Whether it’s in the gym, yoga, team sports or a walk in the countryside – you’ll clear your head and, in the best case scenario, you’ll be able to socialize.
9. If you have strong feelings of loneliness and isolation, it can be useful to seek professional help. There are now offers outside the mainstream such as https://www.betterhelp.com/ .
10. Join a network to connect and exchange ideas. I founded the freelanceboosters community for this purpose. It is absolutely free of charge. You can find it under this link:
https://www.skool.com/freelanceboosters-1101/about
I hope I’ve been able to inspire you to continue to set the course of your boat yourself. Feel free to write in the comments if you have any other tips on how to deal better with loneliness and isolation as a freelancer.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards
Tobias