Welcome to another Weekly Roundup, Remote Work Tribe! If this is your first time clicking on a Weekly Roundup, you’re in store for a treat. This is the ultimate collection of the week’s brightest and most relatable #RemoteWork-themed tweets, complete with threads from some of your favorite remote work ambassadors. Today’s topic dives into something personal for some of our audience members: Burnout among freelancers.
Burnout among freelancers is something you should absolutely concern yourself with. Whether you’re a freelancer or independent contractor yourself, an agency or organization working with a freelancer, or have freelancer friends, a rise in burnout among freelancers indicates a simultaneous rise in unhealthy work trends. From burning the midnight oil long after your body’s signaled you need a rest to ignoring family and friends in order to work, burnout can take several forms—no matter who you are.
This week, the #FreelanceChat spearheaded by PR consultant and writer Michelle Garrett focused on the ins and outs of burnout. Let’s take a look at the recent insights from this chat, as well as which tips we shared to help combat burnout among freelancers.
How Prevalent is Burnout Among Freelancers?
A1: I think I’ve only really felt it twice in my 12 years freelancing. But, it all depends on how you actually define burnout. How does it differ from exhaustion or just needing a vacation? #FreelanceChat
— Angela Tague (WebWritingAdvice.com) (@AngelaTague) March 25, 2021
A1: now, often. Before the pandemic, rarely. I’d always coped by throwing myself into training for sporting challenges & making travel plans. I’d never normally let myself be consumed by work but now, well, *everything* is different. #FreelanceChat
— Robyn Santa Maria (@RobynJaneSM) March 25, 2021
How Long Does it Take to Recover from Burnout?
A4: I feel like burnout doesn’t really resolve until I take actionable and intentional steps to change it.
— Erin 🏳️🌈 (@ErinBoothVA) March 25, 2021
I could take a mindful weekend off and feel fine, but if I hop back into unhealthy habits on Monday, I’m right back to the burnout zone. #freelancechat
Above, Erin is spot on when saying, “Burnout doesn’t really resolve until I take actionable and intentional steps to change it.” Burnout cannot resolve until you decide to make changes in your life. For freelancers, that may mean implementing tighter boundaries and tending more to personal needs. For remote founders or remote employees, tackling burnout often calls for a top-down resolution.
A top-down approach to burnout means that it’s the responsibility of management to lead by example and set healthy parameters for remote work. Leadership must actively take steps to alter the work environment and support the mental health and overall well-being of their employees.
Tips for Preventing Burnout Among Freelancers
Here are a few tips:
— RemoteWorkTribe (@RemoteWorkTribe) March 25, 2021
– The big one is rest.
– Create a mental health checklist (not just the usual self-care stuff)
– Re-evaluate your priorities
– Create breathing room in your schedule
#freelancechat
A few more
— RemoteWorkTribe (@RemoteWorkTribe) March 25, 2021
– Establish boundaries and get better at saying no (easier said than done!)
– Learn to unplug and relax
– Take vacations (Seriously) #FreelanceChat
Of course, you know we couldn’t let this chat go by without offering our tips to prevent burnout! You can learn more about how to move past burnout by toggling to the Burnout Resources above.
But before you go, check out what else the Remote Work Tribe was up to this month!
The Tribe’s Weekly Vibes
1. This reminder that you can make an impact without that coveted blue check mark.
2. This excellent advice everyone should live by.
3. This soul crushing moment us Zoom participants should keep in mind.
4. This understanding that being productive doesn’t mean sending yourself into burnout.
5. This push for asynchronous digital workplace to “close the context gap and ease code-switching.”
6. This push for “Work in Public” culture to encourage async workspaces.
7. This 23-report to show teammate or client the next time they request a “viral” post.
8. This reminder to optimize content for ALL audiences.
9. This reassurance many of us have to give ourselves by 2 p.m. on a Friday.
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What’s happening in your remote world this week? Tag us over on Instagram, @TheRemoteWorkTribe, or on Twitter, @RemoteWorkTribe, for a chance to be featured on our next weekly thread!
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