I might be the wrong person to write about this.
I was never really good with emotions, although nobody really sees this on-screen.
Pair this up with the urgency to maintain my source of income, and you have a dangerous situation.
Yes, freelancing can be stressful. Its challenges can bring you to tears, leaving you wondering if you’re really cut out for this.
It’s looking for your first client, the key to breaking into the industry as a solo professional.
It’s spending long hours applying for freelance jobs, yet coming home rejected.
It’s chasing after the deadbeats who just decided to bolt and leave you without paying for your hard work.
It’s the nasty client who micro-manages you like crazy, bringing down your productivity, creativity, and motivation to work for him.
Makes you want to bang your head against your desktop crying, doesn’t it?
It’s Okay
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alternakive/
Let your frustrations take over just for tonight.
Release those tears, no matter how embarrassing it feels.
Everyone has their breaking points, and it can be unnerving when you suddenly find yourself at the peak of your patience.
And believe it or not, that’s the first step to overcoming these feelings. You bravely acknowledge them, and in doing so, you begin to accept your imperfections and your strengths.
Your Emotional Outlets
Of course, you would have to get back to work soon.
The next step would be to think of ways to overcome the pain. These are what I would call “emotional outlets.”
It’s when you need to get a hold of yourself, to think rationally and carefully. In my case, this is when my abilities to stay calm and composed are tested.
Because whenever I’m feeling distressed over my freelance business, I can’t work anymore.
That’s right. I would put down the pen or leave my laptop. My heart and mind are in too much of a frenzy to focus.
I’m usually an emotional and sensitive person. It’s my strength and my downfall as a freelancer.
To curb the emotions, I do any of the following things:
- Eating your favorite junk food, dessert, chocolate, ice cream, etc.
- Talking about the problem with someone, no matter who it is or how long it takes.
- Writing about it.
- Pacing around the house.
- Going out for a quick walk.
- Watching YouTube or staying in a cozy spot on your social media channels.
- Watching TV.
- Belting out to my favorite songs.
- Calculating my earnings this month.
- Searching on Google to read about how other people handle the same problem.
Of all these outlets, it is the last option that helps me cope with the pain the best. 
You Will Survive
You’re probably doing the same things as well, or you have your own strategy when handling freelancing stress.
Whatever it is, and so long as it helps you think clearly and to come up with a game plan, do it.
Your will to survive the hurdles will help you overcome it all. Moreover, these trials will make you a stronger, wiser, and better freelancer than you ever thought you could be.
Facing a critical stage in your freelancing career now? Did you go through a big challenge in the past? Share your stories in the comments. I’d love to hear from you, plus it’s another great way to de-stress.
Featured photo: pietrozuco
About the Author: Stef G.
Founder of The Freelance Pinoy, Stef is a freelance copywriter and blogger who loves writing great content and helping fellow freelancers in their journeys toward success. You can follow her on Twitter @stefgonzaga. Related Posts
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I can relate to every single word that you say here. One thing I just realized…
. Great article.
I’m not alone
Thank you, Jez. You are definitely not alone in this journey towards financial freedom.
I have anger issues so every time I feel frustrated,I go out and find a silent place where I could be alone and practive my arnis. It relieves me of all my stress and frustrations. It’s a great exercise and it’s good to practice self defense.
Nice! Sports is certainly a great way to release pent up energy. That should definitely go on this list.
Hi Stef,
We share the same sentiments regarding freelancing burnout. Truth be told, I often find myself asking whether I’m meant for this career or not. But as you’ve pointed out, I just look for some ways to unwind so I can get back on track. Freelancing is indeed very challenging especially when:
-I accept boring projects out of desperation.
-I compare myself with other non-freelancers.
-I take more than I can chew.
-I’m clueless about my real “passion” and the perfect niche for my skills.
Most of these are actually my weak points but I’m still a work in progress I guess. Thanks for sharing, Steff.
Great read as always:>
Thanks Lui! We’re all a work in progress, so you’re definitely not alone on this journey.
I for one have an extremely difficult time managing my projects nowadays because of all the tasks piling up every single day!
Hi Ms Stef! Thank you very much for writing this! I’m blessed for the effort on investing tools that could help other freelancers, guidelines to take note and stories to live by.. God bless you always!
No problem, Kim, and thank you as well!
Yeah, sounds like burnout to a t, happens to everyone when struggling. Taking a rest, stepping back and trying to get a new perspective, more open for new options to try, a re-focus you could call it.
Searching the web is a good idea but I find any major environment change can also be a big help, ie getting away from the computer for a walk in nature somewhere and while doing so, try thinking, what would this or that person do in this situation… anything to find a new perspective, something you hadn’t thought of but occasionally end up finding the answer is right under your nose. Or, you think, ok, have made it this far, one more problem, or set of, problems to go. Or, a old Minnesota saying goes, “We come from people who brought us up to believe that life is a struggle, and if you should feel really happy, be patient: this will pass.” for what it’s worth…
Thanks, Matt, and your suggestions are definitely worth considering. Taking some time away from work (or the computer for that matter) can help refocus and put things back into perspective. This is useful even for life trials apart from freelancing.
Pacing around the house.
Calculating earnings for the month.
Can relate.