Self care and self employment are not two things that ordinarily go together, amongst ourselves freelances make jokes of being run down, overworked and overtired and ultimately we live our jobs. It once had such a great appeal of freedom, which to a certain extent is true. But as Ben Parker said in Spiderman “With great power comes great responsibility”, not only to our workload but to ourselves.
These are a few things I have learnt hold a lot of weight over my productivity in the last few months, being a freelancer can be lonely, these are a few things that have helped me look after myself.
Take days off, like real days like go outside and don’t look at your emails all day days.
If your hobby has become your job, find a new hobby.
Whenever I’m not shooting for work now I shoot on film, I find it helps me separate the two in my head and still be able to do something I love.Open a window, get outside. Speak to people.
Get dressed, get showered. Editing in your pants is a novelty that soon ends.
To do lists are a guideline, stop punishing yourself and working past 11pm.
Sleep is good for you.
Look after yourself.