What to Do With Free Time
All of us have different measures of success. For me, I knew I was thriving when I wasn’t working 50-hour weeks anymore. Not to say that a long week is extinct for me, but there aren’t as many of them.
The extra time is something I’m not used to. I watch people around me rush around and never seem to have time to do much. They complain about their overwhelming lives and I remember what that felt like. I’m busy, too, but I’m able to make more time for things that matter to me. This is partially because of the career I’ve carved out for myself.
While I wouldn’t say you have to learn to cope with having extra time, many freelancers have more time to pursue other things—and that can be awkward at first. Whether it’s because you’re getting more money to work less as a seasoned pro, or because you’re in between projects, you may struggle to make use of or comprehend having extra time. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’ve got a few extra moments.
Embrace extra time
Keep in mind that many people aren’t as fortunate as you to have extra time. Regardless of what you do with extra time, accept it as a part of freelancing. Whether you have time in between assignments, or you are earning enough money not to have to work a crazy amount of hours, having extra time is a gift. And because you were brave enough to enter the freelancing lifestyle, you deserve it. What you do with it can determine your attitude.
Don’t punish yourself internally
I intend to beat myself up internally, saying silly things like “You must not be working hard enough if you’re able to take the afternoon off.” That’s totally untrue. Over time, I’ve learned to combat that silly talk by looking at the facts: I make enough money to live comfortably most of the time and I work hard at what I do. I’d never been around people who didn’t have to work themselves into the ground to make it, so I tend to want to measure up to that. Good news—you don’t have to. You can work a reasonable number of hours and use your extra time productively. You don’t have to feel guilty about it—not everyone needs to work 40+ hours a week!
Use your time wisely
I tend not to feel guilty when I take an afternoon off because I don’t have much more work to do, mostly because I do something smart with my extra time. Sometimes I relax or enjoy a hobby, and sometimes I take the extra time to catch up on work-related things. I can easily put off accounting, for example, so any time I think, “I don’t have anything else pressing to do today,” I remind myself that I can stay busy and benefit my business by maintaining my accounting records or continuing with my marketing campaign.
Get ahead
One of the most valuable things I do when I notice I have extra time is to do all the things career wise that I normally don’t have time—or make time—to do. For me, this means working on my book or sitting down to dream up a new magazine article query letter. These are work-related things I enjoy pursuing, but they often fall by the wayside because I am wrapped up in deadlines. If you’ve got some extra time, doing work-related things to advance your career is a great way to stay busy and get ahead. This wouldn’t include things like accounting or marketing—think of those other dreams you have yet to achieve and take steps to attain them when you’ve got some free time.
Give back
Now that you’ve got some extra time, why not give back to others? I started volunteering at our church for a children’s program. It worked perfect for me because I go there during the morning when other people are usually at work. I love being able to give back, especially when I know that others can’t due to their time constraints.
Relax
While I don’t think you should become a couch potato, there’s nothing wrong with taking some downtime. If you can take an afternoon—or a few days—off, why not? Take some time to recharge your batteries and your business is sure to respond in thanks.
Kristen Fischer is a freelance writer and author of Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes.
Great article. Thank you.
Hey Kristen, great article. It really makes me reflect on my freelance situation. One note of criticism though, this line really confused me:
“I’d never been around people who didn’t have to work themselves into the ground to make it, so I tend to want to measure up to that”
Awesome thoughts. I have a ton of freetime sometimes and I think to myself, awe man I am not getting enough work. Freelance is just on the side right now, but I know that I could use that time to strengthen my skills as a designer and help out others as well. Awesome thoughts.
Usually, when I have extra time, I take more web design classes at Lynda.com.
I was just thinking about this yesterday. It feels like you’re not doing enough no matter what if you have “free time” I guess it’s just the workaholic mentality. Even if all the work is done, it still feels like you should be trying to find more of it.
I still feel guilty when I just sit down and watch a football game, but I’ll do it today without feeling bad thanks to this.
In my free time I always like to watch TV shows and just relax. And if I’m not watching TV shows I will probably watch a movie.
This is extremely useful. Great stuff!
Good article and thoughts, it’s a little strange that having free time can seem like such a bad thing sometimes when it shouldn’t, to me at least. I always feel that I have to work a certain amount of hours a week whether its client work or internal work otherwise I start to feel like I’m slacking off. I often have to remind myself I am freelancing for a reason and that is to work when I want to and enjoy the free time in-between projects.
this article is spot on. That the whole point of freelancing, right? It’s important to know what your priorities are and shape your work life around them, not the other way around. Not working yourself to death is certainly one of the best parts of a good freelance career!
In my point of view, these tips are really good and I always follow some tips out of these. I take complete relax in my free time. Actually our mine is too busy and you must give it relax you can feel relax on other way also by doing some yoga, meditation. You will feel great comfert its my personal experience.
Ahh the relax time, a wonderful time to spend more time at home and doing the thing you haven’t done before, There is no enjoyable moment but to stay with your family and your beloved, Christmas Time!!
Hmmmm, what do I like to do with free time? Well, I like to sleep in some mornings. Then there’s going to long lunches with friends. And how about long bicycle rides? Those are fun too.
Ah, extra time… I can’t wait. I’m new to working for myself and still have a long list always. It’s good to hear that someday I may have free time again!
I know my neighbors must have some weird thoughts about me. How does a 20-something get to stay home all day, do yard work, walk his dogs or take his mountain bike out whenever he feels like it, they must ask themselves. But as I’m typing this, I’m looking out my office window, and across the street is a home with a group of 20 to 30 somethings who also appear to be home all the time. They buzz around the house, wash their cars and do stuff in the yard. One of the cars is a Porsche. I wonder what the hell they do for a living?
A great way for freelancers to give back is to foster a dog or cat in need. Most of them don’t need much interaction, they just love having you around all day.
Hey Kristen,
If you don’t m i nd me asking, are you single? Or have a partner? Do they freelance as well? Is your partner ok with your schedule?
Awesome post, this is exactly what I needed today! Excellent ideas… thanks!
TEK that’s how the neighbors must view me. They’re very cool but I am home alone most days, just 30 years old.
Yes, moon, I am married and he’s great about my schedule. I do most of the housework but I don’t mind stuff like laundry, cleaning, vacuuming, cooking…most of the time. But it can be hard b/c I still work f/t most weeks.
Great Article.
Really interesting article – extra time truly is a gift
i like it.
what to do when there is no time
not even for relaxing as i m a student_________????
If there is no time for relaxing, MAKE time.
you should always give time for yourself even if it is only for a few hours
Great article, Kristen! It’s nice to know that other freelancers have felt this way. I am very guilty of beating myself up whenever I have free time. I need to constantly remind myself that this is why I got into freelancing in the first place – I value time very highly.
Great article! Time value is only benifit when we know way how to use it