How To Enjoy Days Off Without Guilt As A Freelancer
It’s been a busy week for me—both with work and play. This week, my personal life took me out of the office, and I don’t feel one bit of regret. Maybe I feel like the backlog got a little larger, but it’s worth it.
Three significant events happened this week:
- A close friend had a medical procedure and needed a ride home from the hospital. In Seattle, a trip anywhere is an event due to our traffic. I only got in a half-day before leaving to pick her up. I made sure she had what she needed at home with a store run once I brought her home. What are friends for if you can’t be there when they need help?
- One of my longtime closest friends (over 20 years) was visiting with her family, and I took a half-day off to take them to the zoo, ice cream, a funky store called Archie McPhee, and then back to the beach where my friend grew up. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.
- Finally, a close friend/colleague treated me to brunch at a Tom Douglas restaurant, and then we did a spa day together. How amazing is that? I was so relaxed when I made it home.
Overall, I nearly missed two days behind the computer. I’ll make up for it in the coming days. I’m getting some work done today and tomorrow while I fit in a Little League tournament over the weekend.
While all this was happening, I kept reminding myself that I was not just a web design machine. I need time off when I need it.
Balance comes when we make up for random days off with focused work and sound systems following our time off. That’s the key to enjoying time off without guilt.
How do you balance your personal life and work? Do you feel guilty when you take personal time? Please share!
RESOURCES: Harpoon – How Freelancers Can Achieve a Healthy Work-Life Balance
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