A study from Upwork has found that freelancing is becoming a notable career path, with 36% of the workforce already in this position. As remote working becomes more widely accepted, we can expect to see a continued uptick in freelancing.
While many freelancers work remotely, there can be downfalls to this work arrangement such as feelings of isolation and other mental health problems. Research has found that 55% of freelancers struggle with mental health problems compared to only 30% of office workers. It makes sense — office workers typically have secure pay and likely other work-related benefits.
One way to combat feelings of loneliness and anxiety could be to sign up for a coworking membership, but this is not a complete solution.So how can the freelance community continue to thrive in their unique position without experiencing the negatives of remote working?
First of all, recognizing your own emotions is key to finding a solution to your problem. For instance, if you are feeling lonely, get out of the house. Whether that means going to the gym, working out of cafes or going on walks around your neighborhood, taking a break from your home office environment is necessary.
In a traditional office environment, workers receive instant gratification for completing a project, but that is not particularly true for remote freelancers. That is why keeping up with your own work-related progress is essential to boosting morale. Write down your tasks for the day and cross out each completed goal to see your progression.
