How to Work from Home
From a nomadic freelancer
If you’re already familiar with my Medium blog, you might already know that I’m a freelancer and have been one since 2020. Contrary to common belief, freelancing is not easy and simple. It actually requires some self-discipline and courage.
It’s not easy being your own boss and it took me some time to realize this and come up with some rules to make sure I deliver all of my work while still maintaining a personal life.
In this article, I will tell you all the things I know about being a freelancer from the rules I set up to where you can find work. So, let’s dig in!
1. You are not free
What I like about working from home is the freedom to do whatever I want, but this made me lose the sense of what’s important and become lazier than usual.
During my first freelance job, I didn’t have an organized schedule and I let all days’ work gather until the last 4 to 5 hours before the deadline. This made me stay up until 8am and wake up at 4pm. So my sleep schedule was messed up and I couldn’t fix it for months.
While you have the freedom to work from the comfort of your home, whenever you want, and wear whatever your heart desires, you need to have some structure and you HAVE to organize your time.
2. Set up boundaries
One of the downsides of working from home is that your employer always assumes that because you’re home, you can work. If you have set up the hours you work, you must stick to them and let your employer know that too.
What I do is when I have to “step out” I would text my employer or manager and let them know that you will not be working for the following hours. As long as you don’t have a deadline for the project you’re working on, it should be an easy process.
For example, let’s say I worked all week on intense projects and tasks that required my entire day. Once the crucial tasks have all been done and delivered, I ‘d tell my colleague that I won’t be available for like half a day. I’d do this to have some time for myself to reset and recharge. After all, I work from home to add to my comfort not to ruin my social life.
3. Having an office at home is a MUST
Trust me on this! As someone who lives with their family, I SUFFER during work. Especially, when I need to have a meeting and everyone at home suddenly decides it’s the proper time to either talk to me or to talk to each other OUTLOUD.
Luckily, I have the option to go to our other house and sit in the office I set up in my own room. While this isn’t practical due to some personal reasons, it’s still an option I can always choose.
Now whenever I have a meeting, I hang on the door a big note that says “In a meeting” and so far, everyone has been respectful.
If it’s possible, I advise you to set up a corner (or a room) where you get some peace and quiet. When you have a designated workspace, you become more organized, and your brain gets accustomed to working in a certain pleace.
4. Don’t forget about your own life
Just because you get to work from home comfortably doesn't mean you can’t leave your home.
Last year, I picked up my laptop and lived in a different city for a month. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I had time to work and to discover the city. That month was the highlight of my year for sure!
If travel is not an option, you can take your laptop to your favorite coffee shop where it’s quiet, relaxing, and there’s fast wifi.
5. Try not to get bored
Sometimes, when the job you’re doing gets repetitive, you will get bored, I promise you.
My way to combat boredom is to have something good to listen to while I work or take a break.
I usually like to listen to podcasts, such as the Lightweights Podcast Joe Vulpis & Ilya Feddy, or I listen to audiobooks. I’m currently reading my all-time favorite author, Edward de Bono’s Teach Yourself to Think. And yes, I can focus on work and on the book at the same time.
Having something running in the background makes me focus even more, for some reason. It also makes me lose the sense of time.
6. You are human too
Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed. I work, sleep, and live in the same place. It gets so hard for me to open my laptop and work sometimes. What I do to overcome this, is to take a break. Work will never not be there, but my mental health will deteriorate. I’d rather lose a job than lose myself.
I either choose to not work for like a day, or I work in sessions and take long breaks.
You have to remember that YOU come first, your mental health comes first, and you’re responsible for your own sanity. If you tell your employer that you need a mental health day, I’m sure they will appreciate it and respect your wishes.
Please note that if you order any of the books I mention from Amazon, I may earn a commission as an affiliate. However, my main goal is to provide you with helpful recommendations and insights, and I only suggest books that I believe are worth reading based on my knowledge and expertise. ❤
Now, let’s talk about where and how you can find jobs online!
My very first job was an ad on Facebook that my sister found and forwarded to me 3 years ago. I’m still in contact with my employer and I always gets invited to work again with them.
Now, I use these platforms to find work. LinkedIn, Upwork, and Freelancer. I have had luck with LinkedIn so many times. And I have tried Upwork for one job and it went well.
All you need to do is set up a strong account, list all of the things you can do, and that’s it!
While it sounds easy, being a freelancer can be mentally draining sometimes. It requires immense patience that not everyone has.
While working from home is the only way I see myself working, it can be different for others. I advise you to take it easy, be patient, and if it doesn't work for you that’s okay! You can always go back to working in an office.
I’m open to answer any questions you might have. If you want to have a private conversation, I’m reachable on my Instagram account ❤ !
Until next time, good luck!!
Also read: I Published My First Book At The Age Of 24
