How to Not To Be a Workaholic

Or How I Turned Off My Computer and Got a Life

I’ve been a freelancer (and a workaholic for about six years now, several of them full-time, and it’s only lately that I’ve realized that it doesn’t quite add up.

I love writing. Almost every job I’ve held has required me to write in some capacity. And if I were to be completely honest, I’d have a better chance of doing investigative reporting and hardcore journalism if I were a staffer at a daily.

But I became a freelancer for a reason: freedom. Independence from schedules. I wanted to be able to take a vacation when I wanted, go for a movie any time I deemed fit, regardless of whether it was a weekday, a work day or whatever. I wanted to be able to take classes, learn new languages, travel for extended periods without a deadline, be free to explore. I wanted to live.

And yet, as a freelancer, I spend fifteen hours a day glued to my computer, doing none of those things.

Where’s the bloody freedom in that?

But acceptance is the first step. And I reached it about eleven months ago. Now I’m ready to take the second step, which is what experts call, “quit yer whining and bloody do something about it.”

So that’s what I’m doing.

1. This is what makes me a sad little thing, but you have to plan for fun, people! I now typically schedule my weekends ahead of time. I also have a goal to watch fifty movies a year, and read at least fifty books. And yeah, I keep count. Shut up.

2. Fix your timings and stick to them. Ha ha, just kidding! No, what you need to do is fix the number of things you’ll do in the day, get them done and then forget about work. Inspiration strikes at weird times, so for writers, I don’t think the whole setting the 9-5 thing routine really works in the long-term. Targets in terms of work are a better measure of efficiency.

3. Find a hobby. No, actually, make that find a hobby that you have to pay for. You’ll find more motivation to actually get to that 6 a.m. aerobics class when you’ve shelled out good money from your fun budget.

The Monday Blues

Well, here’s one side-effect of taking the weekends off that I hadn’t quite considered: you have to return to work after two days of fun. Harumph.

Editor 1 needs four ideas. Editor 2 wants me to find a photographer. Editor 3 is waiting for a signed contract. Editor 4 needed revisions yesterday.

I’m waiting on three paychecks, six story ideas, and two submissions. The printer sputtered and threw up ink. And the mailman seems to be on strike.

Just another day at the freelance office.

My World is Not the Same

Hanging out with full-time 9-5 journalists is beginning to take its toll on me. I’m actually getting up in the mornings and sleeping at night.

It’s a weird feeling.

To Do Before I’m 30: #147

#147: Overcome the fear of the unknown

Ya know, with this move to Africa, another major trip or two planned this year alone, an uncertain freelance professional life, an equally crazy personal life, and absolutely no stress about what happens in all of it, I’m going to have to say, I’ve got this one down to an art.

If it all comes crashing down? I’m good at rebuilding.