Can Freelance Writers take a Day Off?
When you work for an employer, it is easy to take a day off from time to time. After all, you have vacation days as well as sick days that you can use when need be. But as a freelance writer, you are more or less self-employed. Sure, you have to answer to clients to make sure that they get what they want, but you do not have a direct boss. This leads to the question of whether or not freelance writers can take a day off from time to time.
On the surface, it would be appear that you could take off everyday of the week if you so desire. As noted above, you do not have a direct boss so there is nobody telling you that you cannot do this. That being said, if you never work you will never make money and achieve in other areas.
Even though taking off too many days is a bad thing, there is no reason to believe that you do not deserve a break. In fact, a day off here and there can help to protect against burnout. How often you steal a vacation day is up to you. I know some freelance writers who only work four days per week, and of course, others who haven’t taken off a day in years.
If I decide to take a day off, I usually try to plan in advance. This is not always possible if I am forced to miss work due to an illness or emergency. But in most cases, these are few and far between. By planning in advance, it gives me the chance to make sure that all of my clients have what they need, when they need it.
Although not the best idea, I always seem to wonder back to my computer or PDA during these off days. I hate the thought of leaving my clients with questions for too long, and this usually drives me to check my email and voicemail at least once during a day off. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this as long as you do not go overboard.
The bottom line: freelance writers have every right to take a day off when they like they need it.Â
