Back in April when I took time off, I was shocked at how easy it was to come back and pick up where I left off. I’d taken the unconventional route and closed shop for the 10 days I was away. Projects were completed; clients were notified. I came back, told my clients I was back and before I knew it I was freelancing again.
When I took my yearly 6 week break in October, I was confident I’ll be able to do the same. I’ll go home, soak in the sun and sand, hang out with friends, spend time with family etc. What I didn’t count on was getting lazy. I stopped thinking about work. A few family medical emergencies and my own flu and later bronchitis squashed any plans I had of working a few hours a week.
Then I made the biggest mistake. I came back and didn’t start working immediately. A week’s recuperating turned into three. Before I knew it, I decided to take it easy till the delivery and then go work part time after the baby came.
I contacted no clients, I didn’t search for work and I barely networked. Before long my unplanned sabbatical became an unwelcome sabbatical. And yet I couldn’t get myself to start work!
I landed an editing job out of the blue a few weeks ago which I didn’t turn down because it was insanely simple and I was actually interested in the work. As I worked, writing started to come alive again. My old drafts called at me and this neglected blog mocked me till finally, I started writing.
I’m writing again, getting back into freelancing again. If nothing else, this sabbatical has given me the time to think through my plans for the future. How will I handle a baby and work? Do I even want to work or become a full time mom?
The editing job gave me my answer. I’m a writer and will be a mother Insha’Allah. The two can co-exist. In order to make the co-existence harmonious, I’ll now be freelancing part time.
The decision to work part time made me realize that I no longer need to take projects that don’t hold my interest. I can pick and choose my work so that the time away from my child doesn’t feel like a time suck. I can pursue my own freelancing plans that kept being pushed back in favor of client work.
Best of all, I can have it all.
Image Credit: nsaplayer
Samar is a freelance blogger, e-book writer and the voice behind this blog. She loves her kid, her work and helping freelance writers break free from low paying content mills .
Samar, Glad to see you back in the swing of things. I know what it feels like to have that lack of motivation; been there, done that, wasn't motivated enough to get the shirt ;) On that note, please don't hesitate to let me know if you need any help with anything, you know I am never more than an email away. I am just getting back into the swing of things myself and starting to look for some work too. Say hello to that little one for me :) Talk with you soon.
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