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Stop feeling guilty about free time
Life can feel overwhelming and taking a break seems impossible. Money is essential, and inflation isn’t showing any signs of stopping, the rat race seems never-ending. As a freelancer, the uncertainty of income pushes you to work as much as possible, stashing away what you can for a rainy day. But as your list of things-you-would-like-to-do grows longer, it’s clear something isn’t right. Life is for living not for working, right?
The guilt of time spend not earning money
How ironic, you became a freelancer to be able to have a better work-life balance but you end up working to feel guilt-free. You wanted the perk to be able to spend your precious time the way you think is best, only to realise that the flexibility in your dream translate into reality as feeling guilty if you don’t spend all your time earning money. As a freelancer you have achievements to prove, and you think you’re not doing enough, so you end up working in the evening and in weekends which most employees don’t experience. You have to understand that even if you think the time spend isn’t justifiable, it is absolutely necessary. A study shows that you will enjoy your leisure time less if you worry that it’s a waste or you’re unproductive! A good reason to me to frame this time positively, for your enjoyment and well-being.
Taking a break is not a waste of time
Since the benefits of downtime aren’t often discussed, you might think giving your brain a break is a waste of time. Without immediate results, taking a break can feel unproductive compared to the satisfaction of checking off a task. However, working non-stop can lead to mistakes because our brains simply aren’t wired to focus intensely for long stretches. Doing something you enjoy isn’t a waste—it’s actually incredibly productive. It boosts your mental and physical health, and it can make you more creative. If you’re skeptical about the value of taking a break, think of it as part of your job. Take a break because you have to, not just because you want to. Trick yourself into it, and you’ll soon start reaping the benefits.
Escaping yourself through work
I have a cousin who’s constantly on the go, always talking about what she needs to do, and endlessly on the phone, scheduling appointments and attending meetings. Being around her is exhausting—her energy is pure chaos. But if you take a closer look, it’s clear that she’s using her busyness to avoid facing her own personal issues. Staying buried in work is her way of escaping from what really needs attention. Don’t become a frantic ostrich, sticking your head in the sand to avoid reality. Take a break and really assess what’s going on in your life. Are you okay? Are you working on the projects that truly matter to you? Are you neglecting your health or your relationships? Don’t drown yourself in work just to ignore these things—it’s not worth it. Remember, work should be a means to an end, not the end itself.
The “working-hard” culture
Time flies, and it’s easy to feel pressured to make something of yourself quickly. When you watch documentaries about successful people, it’s tempting to conclude that relentless hard work is the only path to success. While hard work is certainly important, it’s not the whole story. What these documentaries often leave out is that even the most successful people face creative blocks and need to take breaks—whether it’s a walk in the sunshine or a trip to a foreign land—to find inspiration and solve problems. Our culture tends to glorify long hours at work, but that mindset can be toxic. If you log endless hours, you are not actually being successful, you are just counting hours. What really matters is working smart—finding ways to be more efficient and productive, which includes taking breaks to recharge your brain! Working smarter, not harder, is the key to sustaining creativity and achieving lasting success.
Taking a break adds value to you and your work
A study by Perlow & Porter from Boston Consulting Group found that taking time off significantly improved employees’ performance. They felt more refreshed, communicated better, and found more efficient ways to work. For creatives, this is especially important. Stepping away from your work allows you to gain new perspectives and draw inspiration from different experiences. Fresh influences can elevate your ideas, making them shine even brighter after a break. Your brain needs the space to stretch and relax, which is why your best ideas often come when you’re not actively working—like when you’re about to fall asleep, in the shower, or brushing your teeth. It’s during these moments of mental downtime that creativity truly flourishes. And, of course, it always seems to happen when you don’t have a notebook handy to capture that flash of genius!
Make the best of your free time
Taking a break doesn’t mean wondering around without purpose. Free time is scarce and precious, so it’s important to make the most of it. As my good friend Chris Silverman puts it: “You can have all the talent in the world, but if you’re not organised, it’s like a leaking oil well: unchanneled skills are wasted.”
So, what’s on your list right now? A trip? A new hobby? Eating healthier? Spending more time with friends? Learning a new software? Whatever it is, you can actually plan your free time to ensure your brain savours every minute of it. Use that time to educate yourself in areas of interest, go out in nature, sharpen a skill, focus on your health, visit a museum, or resolve inner conflicts by listening to a thought-philosophy podcast. There are countless ways to use your time wisely and find inspiration. Make a list of things you’d like to do—add to it, subtract from it, and, most importantly, do them!
Designer Stefan Sagmeister offers a great example of solve the issue of free time eloquently. For every seven years of work, he takes a one-year sabbatical to recharge. His approach highlights the benefits of taking time off: he was able to increase his prices due to the improved quality of his work, rediscovered the joy in what he does, and was flooded with new ideas from his year of exploration. This TED Talk from 2009 is just as relevant today as it was then, reminding us that taking time off can lead to remarkable gains.
Conclusion
Stop and smell the roses! Find your balance between work and downtime as it is imperative for both your personal well-being and professional success. Embrace taking a break and understand that free time is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining creativity (and productivity). So, rather than seeing downtime as a waste, think of it as a vital component to your work and life strategy. Use your free time to explore interests, improve skills, and recharge. By doing so, you’ll not only boost your creativity but you’ll also lead a more fulfilling and enriched life.
