It’s tough

July 02, 2012

I am finally home, Happy Monday!! Soooo…. I just basically took the entire month of June off for a few different reasons ( a bachelorette party, a wedding, family time… ) & I’m feeling pretty torn about the whole thing. It was an amazing & much needed break from life in Los Angeles but I have returned to a stack of stress. I attempted to carry my computer around with me from city to city but I was never able to find a good work spot or enough time to focus. So now, three weeks later – I am hoping my friends & clients don’t want to kill me. ( love you guys, cringe* ) To all of you with jobs that involve lots of traveling, BRAVO. How do you do it?

Being a freelancer has its perks but it also has its challenges, as does any job. One that I struggle with specifically is managing my time – whether it be personal or business related. I work really hard ( probably too hard ) because I love what I do, but at the same time I’m trying to nurture myself and my personal life. There is just so much I’d love to do with such little time available in the day. Don’t you wish we had like… 6 or 7 more hours to get it all done!? Or maybe we should just ignore our to-do lists and stop when it’s stopping time. How on earth do I even begin to find a healthy balance!? You’d think I would have this mastered by now but no… I would love to hear y’alls thoughts on this & how you manage to make it all happen – INSPIRE ME!!!

COMMENTS ( 13 )
TAGS : My Life

13 Comments

talia

July 2nd 2012

well i think your managing it great! this blog has so much inspiration so don’t stop. and you know what is best for YOU. xoxo

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Desi

July 2nd 2012

I’m not great at the time management thing either. Mostly because I always under-estimate how long something is going to take me to do. I always see the quickest route and forget to factor in that rarely do projects go that way.

I found this article that was written recently a little bit helpful. http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/06/dramatically-increase-earnings-with-a-simple-to-do-list-hack/

I think the war on art also helped me a bit.

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Lauren

July 2nd 2012

I feel ya lady! I’m also a designer, and with a full-time job plus freelance and running my own shop and blog, it can get overwhelming! I can’t say enough about keeping a to-do list daily, a well-organized calendar, and a good stock of wine. :) I also really find that working in time blocks can be helpful – for example, I’ll sit down and tell myself “I have one hour to answer all of my emails, and then one hour to finish this code (Or this print piece, or blog post, etc.). At the end of the hour, I’m onto the next task. It helps keep you focused and less distracted, knowing you have that “deadline,” and I find it makes me much more efficient. At the end of the day I try to leave myself at least an hour for “Project Clean up” where I might revisit something I didn’t quite get finished during it’s time block earlier in the day.

I hope that is helpful for you! Your blog is an awesome source of inspiration!

xox, Lauren

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stephanie T.

July 2nd 2012

Lots of lists. Lots of schedules. Lots of tequila :)

Or…it may just mean that you are a stretched a little too thin and it may be time to cut back. In the end, this is but the one life you live….so live it as much as you can. You will definitely figure it out, but yes, it is all about the balance.

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Mollika

July 2nd 2012

wine, wine & more wine!

i’m In the same boat! can never say ‘no,’ Always stressed, and have waaay too much on my plate. Just keep going, in the end you always feel accomplished and that makes it all worth it, right?

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Danielle landy

July 2nd 2012

a schedule where everything is scheduled! just read a great article to plug all things going on in your life. find what your role is, mark everything down, have people keep you accountable and make time for yourself. and since you love what you do, it is especially important to set a few moments aside and…rest.

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Megan

July 3rd 2012

I have been thinking about this so much and hear ya big time! Over my week I took off (the first since my honeymoon 2 years ago) I really got thinking about it. I am not sure what the answer is to it all but I started asking myself what was most important? What am I most passionate about? What do I need Financially to live life?

Most of being a freelancer I think is just moving and changing to a different schedule, new clients, new projects, and so on. All the while making sure you are not losing your passion and love for it all. Also realizing that playing is just as important as working is to the creative process and making good work.

I did read this article in the NY Times about busyness and creativity. All his ideas are amazing and I am still letting it all sink in. Check it out! It is a little long but good with a good glass of wine ;) http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/

Cheers lady!

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Sian

July 3rd 2012

I think what keeps me sane 90% of the time is extending my deadlines, and just somehow trusting that it will all be sweet! And just accepting that you’ll never be finished.. there’s always something to do. but the sooner you’re okay with that, the sooner you’ll be cool.

and don’t sacrifice your time out for anything!
that keeps me in the game more than anything. without my chill time + days off i’d be 100% batshit. haha.

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Bre

July 3rd 2012

DESIGN CAMP TOPIC!!!

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Mailinh

July 3rd 2012

I’ve been there! When you’re trying to juggle many hats, it gets to ya. I’ve learned to evaluate & prioritize, And then…Manage it in a timely manner. To help keep me in line, daily to do lists and a planner/calendar works. it helps me get into a routine of things. Like Mondays and Wednesdays are for this, tuesdays & thursdays are for that, Fridays are for catch up, etc.

Try to breathe easy and not dwell on it too much — that will really stress you out even more.

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Sarah wRight

July 4th 2012

Emma, I just read the Richardson lIving article about your Blog! CongratulatioNs! Be suRe to schedule “me” time or call Sydney.

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Tatiana

July 9th 2012

Raise your prices to ease down the work load!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jennifer Young

July 13th 2012

I love your honesty and can completely relate. i’ve been forcing myself to take a few days off here and there and it’s been amazing. Balance is key for sure…it’s just about finding that balance!!

love seeing your sweet face. more emma please!
j.
ps i agree with tatiana (above)!!!

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