When I worked in the non-freelance world, I was very good at separating my home life and my work life. I went to work, I did what was asked of me, I went home, and I never thought about work again until it was time to go back. I lived for those two blissful days off when I had nothing to worry about except for how I planned to spend my time (this was during my pre-baby days, so I had that right).
These days, the words Saturday and Sunday mean virtually nothing to me except that there is nothing good on television. It is not uncommon for my workload to spill over onto the weekend days – in fact, because so many other people have these days off, it’s actually a more productive time for me, since I can hit up my friends and relatives for babysitting.
While I have no problems with this layout of my schedule – for example, I would be fine with taking a weekend on Tuesday and Wednesday - I do find myself disconcerted by the fact that I don’t make up these two days at any other time during the week. Meaning, I don’t take “a weekend” at all. I literally work seven days a week (granted, some days I only work two hours, but that’s not the point).
Even when I do plan to take a break from writing and recoup for a few days, I find myself checking emails, following up on client communication, and doing blog-work. I know in today’s modern world of immediate communication, it’s actually quite common for office-type business people to work on their weekends, but since freelancers are notorious for being unable to turn off the computer and just relax, it seems like we’re doubly jinxed.
I don’t just blame myself – I blame my clients. Although I know I’m not at their complete mercy, they do tend to get a little antsy if they don’t get a response within 24 hours. Which is fair, especially since they usually don’t know that I’m trying to take a weekend in the middle of the week.
It can be hard to work for seven straight days without ever simply turning off the freelance side of me. Although I rarely work more than 30 hours a week, it can be frustrating to never have complete control over my days.
Are you able to turn the work off, or is this just another side effect of being a freelancer?
Lorna Doone Brewer is both a writer and an entrepreneur at heart. This is where those two worlds meet. She also blogs at 
Tamara Berry used to miss interaction with her daughter. Now she misses interaction with adults. Freelance writing is her happy medium.
I’ve done full-time freelancing for a year and part-time freelancing since 93, and I always work on weekends, even if for a little while, as you stated. It’s because I take a lot of work, so it’s all my own fault. When any time you devote to freelancing equals more money, it’s too tempting to book yourself silly. I know many people who work nights/weekends on their salaried jobs and get nothing more for it, so we’re luckier in that sense. The time I am able to turn off work is time I set aside specifically to get out and do something. I even joined a singing group to make sure I have a permanent commitment each week outside! That’s the only way I’ve been able to turn off the work for extended periods.
No weekends for me either. Usually because I take on too much work, too. :S I think it is just a hazard of working as a freelancer!
You know what’s ironic? Us freelancers are expected to work 24/7… but email a client on a weekend?
No answer.
Funny. How come they get weekends and we don’t?
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After years of freelancing and the recent acceptance that my children are not going to be around forever, I have made it a practice to demand weekends of myself. When that extremely profitable client calls me on Sat morning I don’t call back until Monday and when another client emails on Sunday afternoon I email back on Monday. It’s meant that Monday admin time is a bit longer than I’d like but my children and my sanity are sooooo worth it. It’s tough and requires a ton of self discipline but hey we’re making money writing - that in and of itself takes a lot of discipline, right?
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I miss weekends. I want to work on this. I have horrid time management skills.
I just quit one of my contract jobs because it was eating into my family time on the weekends. There’s just something wrong when my husband and three kids are playing outside, laughing, and having a grand time while I am stuck inside on the computer.
I’m about ready to sign a contract with another client, and I’m thinking of stating that I will not work on weekends. I have to have time when I can enjoy my family. My kids are growing up too quickly as it is, and I don’t want to miss it.
Having kids makes it harder to get work done over the weekend plus the noise makes it hard to do thinking-type of work. Fortunately, playing games is one of my jobs as a freelancer… so those I tend to do on the weekend… guilt-free.
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I am a freelance website/blog designer. My Terms of Service clearly states that we work Monday through Friday, and I let every new client know that I do not work on weekends. No one has had a problem, and I get to spend time with my family.
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