As a freelancer, I never really know when my next contract will be. However, not all freelancers operate this way. Some make sure they have enough clients on their books and will go out and pitch for work when their client list falls below a number. I’ve always taken a different approach. For me, value alignment has always been high on my list. I rather find alternatives or go without than to work with businesses whose values don’t align with mine. It’s one of the main reasons why I choose to freelance. I recognise I’m an emotional person and combined this with my personality type, I find it difficult to do and be my best when my values are conflicted. But to do what I do, I’ve had to learn to save and adapt. Hence, during this pandemic, touchwood, I’ve been okay. I may not have any work but I have savings and like most of us now, I have time, loads of it ;). And I know I’m one of the lucky ones. However, I didn’t always have savings, rather I always had plans. My wake up call came when I took an 18 month sabbatical with great plans of travel and possibilities of working in different fields but this all came crashing down when into my second month, I broke my ankle. A break that would require surgery and loads of rehab. To get through it, I had to learn to adapt. Through adapting I found a career in freelance.
For me, freelancing is a lifestyle where adapting to change goes hand in hand. It provides you with infinite opportunities to do something out of the ordinary and to try something new. It has also made me more aware of what’s really important and essential to me, and I emphasise the “to me”. What’s important and essential is unique to the individual and can only be determined when you are true to oneself.
During this hibernation period, I have:
Continued to practice yoga through online classes offered by yoga8 as they too have had to adapt to this pandemic. The silver lining for me is this is my favourite studio but when I made the move to live between Abbotsford and the coast, it was not viable for me to continue classes there.
Kept motivated by getting a balance board to strengthen and train for when I can paddle out and get my vitamin sea again.
Stumble upon businesses who are also adapting to ensure their business and staff remain relevant. I am fortunate to be in a position where I can reallocate the funds I would normally spend on public transport, petrol, barista coffee and eating out, to support these businesses. To keep it interesting, I make sure each week I;
1. stay loyal to a business
2. try out a new business/product that’s Australian made
3. continue to “eat out” aka get take-away from independent businesses.
Began tackling life admin stuff that I never seem to have time for. One is decluttering. According to Gumtree Second Hand Economy Report 2019, savvy Aussies stand to make $5300 per household from their unwanted items and 89% of Aussies have unwanted items in their home with around 23 unwanted or unused items per household, which shows there’s considerable amount of value in either selling or gifting these unwanted items. As they say, less is more, plus it also reduces waste from going to landfill *boom*.
Note, I’m not saying you should replicate what I’m doing. It’s just a guide that works for me to help reduce cabin fever during this pandemic, where as a friend writes “the environment is breathing a sigh of relief”.
Full disclosure, the past few of weeks have not been a great time for my family. What’s been most difficult is not being able to see my dad who’s early signs of dementia has moved onto the next stage. Not being allowed to see him in hospital and knowing that he might never be able to return home, has been emotional. I still have a cry each day but I will get through it, especially when I think about how blessed I am to have family, friends, a roof over my head and food on the table. I am not dealing with covid-19 in an unjust society and that’s a major reality check. You have been called to stay at home. You have not been called to war. If it were a choice, I know which one I’ll be choosing. It’s not just about the direct catching and spreading of covid-19, it’s also about the knock on effect it has on the people who don’t have it.
Stay home, stay well, and stay kind.