Freelancing Stress: The Symptoms of the Self-Employed

We all have a nagging feeling sometimes; like we’ve left something at home on our way to a job even though we’re totally prepared, or maybe it’s more like a vague knowledge of something not being quite right with the situation you’re in. Or maybe it’s a feeling of powerlessness or just pure uninhibited, all-encompassing fear. Maybe it’s what feels like a pulled muscle in a place you’ve never felt when you leave the office, even though you haven’t done any strenuous activity that might have caused it. You could be unknowingly tensing those muscles due to stress. I know I do. It’s a reaction caused by the fight or flight reflex of our brains and our social consciousness steeling ourselves against movement, and causing undue stress to previously unused muscles.

It can cause bad digestion, heartburn, queasiness, light-headedness to the point of fainting, and it’s a powerful enemy of the self-employed. We are constantly fighting a battle to pay all of our bills, possibly an employee or two, health insurance, taking 30% out for taxes, chasing after clients for money for work that’s already been completed…It’s exhausting, and all the while we’re hoping we can parse together enough money to stash a little bit away. Oh, and we’re constantly selling ourselves to new clients, constantly justifying our own worth not only to ourselves but to the entire outside world for a living. If you have a negative self-image, and you’re the only one actively promoting yourself, you’re going to have a hard time.

So here is how I handle it. There are a few ways that the symptoms manifest themselves in me, and I do my best to treat not the symptoms (as stress meds do) but the source.

Sleepless Nights

This is a tricky one, but the most effective method (besides wearing yourself out earlier in the day, which can have negative repercussions) is to try to sleep as long as you feel comfortable doing so, I usually try for 30 minutes or so, then if you haven’t fallen asleep, get up. Go do something. If you’re preoccupied with getting a job done, and you can’t sleep until you get it done, then DO IT! Maybe this runs counter to some of my other thoughts on quitting when the day is over, but if this is really keeping you up then it might be worth just getting it done. If it’s just general sleeplessness, then try to read a book. If you don’t really read, and don’t have a book you’re currently reading, hop on your nearest device and head over to the Amazon or iTunes store, search the top charts, then download and read a sample. See if your eyes tire out and if you start nodding off, embrace that and just go to sleep. Oh, and if you’re tired but it’s not nearly the time you normally turn in, don’t try and push past the feeling if all your work is done, just go to bed. If it’s 8:30 and you’re exhausted, no need to stay up till 11 or 12 or whatever your normal time is to go sleep, just knock off and be glad for the extra hours of sleep. Often times pushing past the point when your body wants to go to sleep can give you a second wind which will make finally sleeping at your normal time next to impossible.

Light-headedness (feeling faint)

If you’re already familiar with this one, then you may be on your way to a full-blown panic attack, so you should do your best to curb it as soon as possible. This next tip is really something you should be doing for your own sake regardless of any stress you may be experiencing. I started meditating a few months ago, and it has been helpful in a number of unexpected ways. Before you stop reading, allow me to explain myself. By meditation, I mean deep breathing for a few minutes, with my eyes closed in a relatively quiet setting. That’s it. It’s such a simple and elegant solution to a myriad of life’s little problems that I feel like I should have to purchase it. It’s like taking vitamins, except you can actually feel the difference immediately. It also has the added benefit of positively affecting most other aspects of your life. Just 5 minutes in the morning can keep you centered and balanced for most of a day. If you stick with it, you will feel less panicky in stressful situations, and possibly just subconsciously lapse into your developed breathing techniques (in through the nose, out through the mouth) which will help keep you on an even keel. I can’t recommend this simple tip enough.

Stress-Induced Anger

Realizing that irrational anger may manifest itself as a result of stress (remember it’s called fight or flight) can be difficult to comprehend. While anger is a generalization, any unexplainable edginess can be caused by stress. Thankfully, this is an easy fix. Working out a few minutes a day can help you take out some of that pent-up aggression in a positive way. One easy way to do it is a 7-minute power workout. If that requires too much time or isn’t quite your speed, try installing a pull-up bar in the doorway to your office (make sure to bracket it to the door frame so you don’t wipe out like I just did a few days ago). Every time you exit or enter the office, do one or two pull-ups. This can work your core as well your upper body, and can also serve as a means to keeping you in your office working!

These are the main ones that affect me, but feel free to share in the comments any tips you may have on dealing with these obstacles.