As freelance writers including baby boomers or seniors, are
your lives in a healthy balance? If not, why not?
“Freelance
Writer Market” offers work-life
balance tips for freelancers, suggesting that, “the search for work/life
balance is one of the primary motivators that drives many to freelancing.”
Freelance writers may need to
go the full cycle in their writing, all the way from the negative to the
positive, in order to maintain a healthy balance in their writing. This is also
true in terms of their work-life balance.
Freelance writing can become a
chore, the kind of work that is all-time consuming, as well as the sole
priority in the lives of freelancers, particularly when it is a primary source
of income. If the income is not sufficient, frustration may set in.
Trying harder and harder to
make more money, become a great writer and succeed as a freelance writer,
nothing else seems to matter. The problem may be that nothing sells either.
Mental blocks occur more and more frequently, freelance writers begin to have
increasing difficulty writing because ideas no longer flow freely.
Blessed are freelance writers
who have a reliable source of income. Having sufficient income to enjoy life
brings a sense of balance into their work-life. They can relax and enjoy
writing at their leisure.
Is money the answer?
Freelance writers who are
struggling may wonder what they are doing wrong. It may not necessarily be a
matter of doing something right or wrong. They may be trying too hard or
heading in an unorthodox or wrong direction, in their writing. Are freelancers on the way up
or slipping into decadence? Is there a slippery slope in
freelance writing that has the potential to wipe out freelancers?
Stepping back and seriously
looking at what they are doing, freelance writers may think they need more time
and space. In other words, their freelance writing has likely become
increasingly unhealthy in its focus or orientation, because there is no longer
room for anyone or anything else in their lives. Frustrations over work-life
imbalance can and do stifle their writing.
For example, a group of
frustrated writers may choose to revert to a derogatory, contemporary writing
style because they feel that traditional freelancing is going nowhere. They
demand instant freedom, fame and fortune. Unfortunately, the freedom they see
in contemporary writing often proves imaginary. So does their fame and fortune.
Contemporary writers begin to
dwell in the realm of the negative, the hopelessness and helplessness of the
darkest night, reverting to expressions and language not deemed appropriate for
publication, or acceptable in terms of purchase by publishers. They regress to
writing styles demonstrating a need for professional editing. A critical and
destructive spirit may prevail in everything they write, say or do.
While contemporary freelancers
gather a group of followers for a time, it soon becomes apparent that readers
will only read until their first expressions, phrases or words revolt or
disgust readers. They become embarrassed and quickly move on to something more
aesthetically pleasing in terms of readability.
Meanwhile, like digging for
precious stones in swampy ground, freelance writers may think they have
encountered what appears to be flurry of nuggets of gold, but in reality, in
the light of the positive, they prove to be duds like glass marbles.
To maintain a healthy work-life
balance, freelancers need to establish a writing schedule, in conjunction with
an appropriate life style. That is important, as few people can write all day,
every day and stay happy and healthy. If they do not, their families may begin
to suffer, as do their homes. Familial relationships become bones of contention,
rather than something to enjoy. Children usually loved, nurtured and
appreciated when there is a healthy work-life balance, appear to be creating
disturbances or causing disruptions to frustrated freelance writers. A negative
critical spirit becomes evident with respect to everyone and everything, as
evidenced in their writing.
Freelance writers, step back
and look closely at what you are really doing, just for a moment. Is there a
healthy balance in your work-life? If not, begin to adjust it in such a way as
to restore a healthy work-life balance. Re-focus your work-life in such a way
that freelance writing is a joy to you and others, not a chore or work that is
futile.
A healthy work-life balance may
prove to be a major factor of your success in freelance writing.
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