It might sound strange to admit to others, but if you’ve ever felt anxious to open emails first thing in the morning, you’re by no means alone.
That gut-clenching feeling is common across all industries. But it’s especially real for self-employed workers.
Many freelancers find themselves starting the day with a knot in their stomach, worried about what might be waiting in their inbox. Is it a demanding client? Another rejection? More revisions? The not-do-delightful possibilities are endless.
Whatever makes your pulse raise, email anxiety can easily set the tone for the whole day. Here’s what it means, and how you can address it.
Why Freelancers Feel Anxious To Open Emails
Being scared to open your emails isn’t a freelance-only issue. However, it’s extremely common with those who’ve embraced freelance life.
Psychology Today states that email anxiety can trigger both social anxiety and productivity anxiety. The review also explains how email is asynchronous, meaning there’s a delay between when you send and receive emails.
But let’s take a closer look at email anxiety and freelancing.
Freelancers often juggle multiple projects and clients, which means your inbox can feel like a source of constant demands.
Likewise, overworking and freelance burnout plays a big role here. If you are already stretched thin, even a simple “quick question” email can feel overwhelming. Poor boundaries also add to the problem. When clients expect replies at all hours, the inbox begins to feel less like a tool and more like a trap.
Some other reasons for email anxiety include:
- The inbox never ends: Because our brains love the feeling of finishing tasks, an inbox that constantly refills can leave us chasing completion we will never quite reach.
- We read tone more negatively: Even neutral emails can feel harsher than they are, which makes opening messages more emotionally draining than it needs to be.
- Unanswered emails feel uncomfortable: Many of us feel a social obligation to reply straight away, even when no response is really required, which only adds to the pressure.
Lastly, for those who already live with general anxiety, emails can trigger worry about confrontation, criticism, or disappointing others. This also goes for freelancing platforms, especially if you’re worried that no one is opening your Upwork proposals.
Put together, these pressures make it no surprise that many freelancers feel anxious to open emails each morning.
How To Stop Feeling Scared To Open Your Emails
Okay. Before we get into the five tips, it’s important to remember that there might not be a quick-fix for email anxiety.
The heart-flutter you feel in the morning is relatively normal, and if it doesn’t interrupt your day, it’s nothing to worry about. However, there are ways to lessen or manage stress.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice and I’m not a doctor!
But, here are a few practical ways to reduce email anxiety if you’re tired of inbox-related worries.
- Set email hours: Decide on times of day you will check emails and stick to them. Most freelancers choose the standard 9 to 5 template.
- Use filters and folders: Let your inbox do some of the sorting for you so only the most important emails reach you first. This might be the opposite of what you want, but you’ll likely feel better if you know the urgent emails are sorted.
- Start with a positive ritual: Have a coffee, stretch, or even take a short walk before opening your inbox. This helps you wake-up and settle down before you climb the mountain.
- Write templates: Having pre-prepared polite but firm responses for common situations so you are not drafting from scratch when stressed. For freelancers, this could be an invoice chasing template or a quick response for any potential client inquiries that explains your rates and services.
- Limit notifications: Turn off alerts on your phone or desktop so you engage with emails on your terms, not theirs. You may also want to check-in at select times, like in the morning, after lunch, and at the end of the day.
What Email Anxiety Could Mean for You Going Forwards
Want to dig deeper?
Feeling scared to open your emails is not just about the messages themselves. It might be a sign that your work-life boundaries need attention.
If you are noticing dread each morning, it could be worth reviewing your client expectations, workload, or the systems you use to manage communication.
And if the anxiety feels unmanageable or is affecting your wellbeing beyond work, reaching out for professional support can make a big difference. A network of likeminded freelancers is critical. Sometimes, your in-house pals just don’t get it. Otherwise, confidential counseling can help you get some perspective.
If you can’t sleep while freelancing or are facing other negative symptoms that impact your daily life, it might be time to reach out for help from your GP.
The Takeaway
Kiss the inbox shakes goodbye. Email anxiety might be common for freelancers, but it does not have to control your mornings.
Whether you embrace boundaries or turn those pesky notifications off, you can turn your inbox back into a manageable tool instead of a source of dread.
How’s your relationship with your inbox? Are you scared to look at your emails? Let me know what you think.