Hello there,
I was sitting and looking at the blank page for a while, not knowing what to write about. There is lots of going on, but not so much business related. Should I share it anyway?
I was wondering what makes people to share their pain stories publicly and online. Should one keep such matters private? Is it appropriate to delve into deep concerns or emotions and to show your fragility?
Following the conclusion of Freelance Business Month (
by the way, the session replays are still accessible), I received news that my father is seriously ill. It hit me hard, turning my world upside down. The reassessment of life's priorities became starkly real, accompanied by a personal sense of guilt for not paying enough attention to what truly matters. The realisation that our time is finite, and spending it on trivial matters, became a profound revelation.
And this is how I realised why people share their pains publicly. It doesn't physically alleviate the pain, of course, but it does provide mental relief - it is permission to slow down, if you wish. In this world of constant raise to perform better and better every time, not checking your emails for a couple of days feels like committing a crime.
For this reason, I've developed an aversion to the fast-spreading calls urging freelancers to relentlessly strive for
higher earnings, multiply income, and achieve success while supposedly working just one hour a day. In reality, most people choose freelancing for different reasons.
As we approach the end of this year, and you are still concerned about unfinished business, unreached goals and other business errands that you have to run, sacrificing the time with your loved ones to something that can wait - just close your laptop and spend a quality time with your family.
After all, isn't that why we freelance?
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Let your family be healthy, and your freelance business be awesome.
Happy 2024!
Regards,
Elina
p.s. If you're interested in further reading, I've gathered some compelling materials for you:
