Balancing work, passion, and mental health. Stay focused!

Balancing work, passion, and mental health

Being self-employed is undoubtedly a dream for many. The freedom to create your own work life, manage your own time, and work with what you love is truly amazing. But with this freedom comes the responsibility of taking care of yourself, something I’ve had to learn through my own experiences with depression and stress.

As a self-employed person, it’s tempting to say yes to everything. I genuinely love what I do, and that motivates me to book more and more meetings. Sometimes things move so quickly that I almost forget to take breaks, or I fill the rest of the day with tasks when meetings end early. But I’ve learned the hard way that I need to find a balance, a plan that ensures I don’t end up burned out again.

Planning with care

I know that I tend to overcommit, so I always have to hold myself back and plan ahead. If I don’t, I quickly become overwhelmed, and the stress starts building up. For me, it’s crucial to take my breaks and make time every day to do something grounding. That could be a dip in the cold pool, grounding exercises, or simply focusing on my breathing, small things that help me stay calm in a busy work life.

Freedom to work on my terms

One of the greatest advantages of being self-employed is, of course, the freedom. I can work whenever it suits me, which means that some days start early, while others have me working late into the evening. It also gives me the flexibility to fit in exercise or a walk during the day, which is something I really value.

But with freedom comes challenges too. Sometimes, it can be hard to get started. Even when I know exactly what I need to do, I sometimes find myself stuck, unable to take that first step. I go over the plan in my head but still end up at a standstill. It’s a constant struggle to find the balance between being productive and taking care of my mental health.

Small victories

Despite the challenges, there are also great moments where I can look back and see how far I’ve come. Being self-employed is filled with ups and downs, but the most important thing is that I’m getting better at finding that balance every day.

I believe that being self-employed is about much more than just making money. It’s about creating something meaningful while also taking care of yourself along the way. For me, it’s not just about the destination but the journey, and the lessons I learn about myself, that are the true success.

The key is balance: Love what you do, but remember to take care of yourself.