A Freelance Mindset

The skills I learned to survive as a freelance designer has come in handy for navigating both parenthood & pandemic. The biggest piece: mindset.

it was important to have rituals get me from one mindset to the next when freelancing full-time. the environment wasn’t changing — I worked, lived, & played from home. rituals transitioned me away or towards work.

Mornings started with exercise & breakfast (something for me) before client emails & meetings (something for them). I was in control of my day instead of the client determining my day. We were all in it together. I could remember that was true if I gave time to myself first.

A couple of hours of focused work, then food again. it was often with a book, podcast, show, or nap. topics unrelated to work. Sometimes it was out of the house (library, coffee shop, porch, trail) to truly step away from the physical place of responsibility.

Afternoon work was often slower, more distracted with personal errands & tasks, but work nonetheless. the day would end welcoming Joel home, a walk with Tiger, a glass of wine on the porch, or a beer at the local watering hole in the winter. Dinner with friends, a show, workout, or a book. bedtime routine.

rinse & repeat until the weekend.

Not very glamorous but it took me years to discover a template. I’m proud of my findings. I enjoy the stability of a routine. then breaking it here & there.

It’s important to know triggers & red flags. Then you can combat them. “Ok that helped. that didn’t.” You troubleshoot, you’re in conversation with yourself, & you keep going.

I’m grateful for freelancing first in my career. It gave me the essentials of boundary-setting, personal reflection, a wellness-first mindset, & daydreaming.

Now I use those tools for both parenthood & pandemic. who would’ve thought?