Freelance burnout is a term that pops up a lot on forums and in self-employed circles. But don’t write it off as another buzzword — this problem can be seriously damaging.

As freelancers, we tend to be people who go above and beyond. 

We are answering emails in the evening, taking on as many gigs as possible, and networking on the weekends. Boundaries? We don’t know the meaning of that word! 

However, this can quickly take a toll and knock us out for weeks or even months. 

I’ve experienced symptoms of burnout before, and it wasn’t pretty. So, let’s talk about it. In this blog, we’ll look at freelance burnout symptoms and when it’s time to take a break from freelancing. 

What Is Freelance Burnout?

Freelance burnout is the same as regular burnout. 

This is defined as “extreme tiredness or mental or physical illness caused by working too hard or trying to do too much.”

Sounds familiar? You can probably identify with that statement if you’re on this page.

For freelancers, burnout can be caused by a multitude of factors. From late payments to taking on as much work as possible, we push ourselves to the limits. 

While working hard is admirable, you can achieve your goals without sacrificing yourself in the process. Knowing the signs of burnout is critical to keeping yourself healthy.

Knowing the Freelance Burnout Symptoms

Feeling empty? Not sleeping well? Having a hard time concentrating? 

Well, you might just be burnt out. Here are some of the most common signs of burnout in freelancers:

• A general loss of motivation (AKA not feeling arsed to do anything, even though you’re getting paid and advancing your career)
• Lower self-esteem and confidence
• Increase in negative feelings and doubt
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Inability to sleep OR sleeping too much
• Feeling alone and detached from your nearest and dearest

These are only the emotional and mental effects of burnout. 

You’ll likely also experience headaches, digestive troubles, body aches, and eyestrain. Unpleasant, to say the least.

For me, it was bouts of insomnia. I was extremely tired and negative, but I couldn’t get a wink when bedtime rolled around. To make matters worse, I was doing all of the “must-do” sleep things, such as working out, not napping, and cutting out caffeine.

Simply put, I stressed myself out of sleep. 

So, if you’ve noticed you’re feeling crappier than usual, and it’s not going away, it might be time to assess your work-life balance.

When To Take a Freelance Burnout Break

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms above or know that your work is seriously impacting your health or relationships, it’s probably time to step back.

However, I also know that if you’re working so hard, the last thing you want to do is tell clients you’re unavailable. 

How will you earn money? Will they forget about you? Is your career over?

Taking a break is the answer, but you don’t have to grind your career momentum to a halt. 

• Start saying no to projects for a month or two and focus on the few you have right now.
• Make clear work-life boundaries, such as no work on the weekends or past 6 pm. 
• Unfollow any “grind-set” pages that make you feel guilty rather than inspired.
• Limit your LinkedIn time. Yes, it’s good for networking, but endless scrolling might not be good for your mental health. 

Lastly — up your rates. 

If you’re so busy with work that you can’t think, it’s time to consider a price raise. Yes, a few clients might leave. But at the same time, a few will likely say yes. 

You’ll be left with more money and more time. When you’re ready, you can use this time to look for work that pays you more, too. 

A win-win!

(Yes, I agree. Upping your rates is scary. But it’s always worth it. Trust me.)

Looking To A Burnout-Free Future

Creating a healthier freelance future is crucial.

I’m aware of how cheesy that sounds, but as I’ve been in the burnout trenches and crawled out of them, I think it’s important to talk about!

When you protect your time and energy, you can improve your work, charge more for your time, and not lay away at night with your heart racing. The good life, eh?

Have you ever experienced freelance burnout? Tell me all about it in the comments. 

Or learn more on The Freelance Balance blog.