A freelance writer's work is never done. Just as we complete one big project another, even bigger project comes along. Consciously, we know that we need to take a break between projects. However, saving for a rainy day often gets the better of us and we tend to place our vacation plans on pause once a lucrative deal comes our way. I learned the hard way that I need to take a full, unplugged vacation at least once a year. At least that's what my doctor mandated when I was finally admitted to the hospital suffering from over exhaustion. Yes, collapsing on the job is never a good sign. From that point on, I created a regular 2-week vacation in my calendar coming in around the holiday months to rest, forget about work, and simply enjoy the money I earned during the year (on a budget of course). I tell you, my body has never been healthier, and my family has never been happier.
Every time you think that you are swamped with work and can't get away, just remember, the human body is not meant to be a nonstop working machine. Just because you can go on with little sleep and no relaxation time doesn't mean you should do it. On the contrary, the harder you work or, the more work that you do, the more your body deserves to take a vacation.
The question is, how?
As a freelancer, we tend to be a one-person office operation. However, the advent of technology and social media has made it much easier for us to take time away from work without having to sacrifice too much of our work time to do it. All it takes is ample preparation, proper use of technology, and clients willing to coordinate their deadlines with your vacation schedule.
Coordinate Deadlines with the Client
Just as a Save the Date is all too important for scheduling wedding plans, an Out of Office (OOO) notification is just as important. If you are planning to take a vacation during the first 2 weeks of November, make sure to inform your client a month in advance. Both of you need the prep time leading up to your vacation date. This can be done by sending a friendly FYI email to the client. Make sure that you wrap up all your deadlines before the start of your vacation. Then remind the client regularly via email or with every deadline you meet going towards the last week of October that you will be out of the office from November 1 - 14 so any additional work falling during those days will need to be placed on hold or, a new deadline needs to be set. Inform the client of the start of your office leave and the date they can expect you to be back. Upon your return, send out an all points "I'm back!" email to the same clients. If the client proves to be unreasonable about your time off request, then be prepared to severe ties with that client. No client who treats a freelance writer like a slave is worth keeping.
Social Media Has Auto Settings
If you are the kind of freelancer who relies heavily on social media for promotions and work considerations, then you can easily schedule a blog release or Instagram update. Simple work on the content in advance of your vacation, upload it to the social media site, then schedule the uploading schedule for every file. Your potential clients and social media followers, who did not receive an OOO won't know you were ever away.
Hire a Go-To Person for the Time Period
If you are the paranoid kind who is afraid to lose clients by taking a vacation, then find someone who can take over the job from you while you are away. That way deadlines will always be met, client's will always have someone to email, and you will be able to help-out a freelance writer friend in need. Word of caution though, don't kick yourself if you end up losing clients to your stop gap person during your vacation.
Taking a regularly scheduled vacation is something that everyone who works needs. More so those who do not work within a fixed schedule as office workers do. It is important to put your health needs ahead of your financial needs in some instances. Don't wait for your body to punish you for pushing it to the limits, give it a rest, it never hurts.
