Free Falling

Ever feel like you're in a tragic love story? One where you’re married to your work, but work is slowly killing you?

Welcome to freelance life, where hustle is a virtue, rest is for the weak, and burnout is a badge of courage.

Or so the gurus say…

But let's be honest, working around the clock isn’t sustainable. It's like showing up to a marathon without any training. Sure, you might make it a few miles, but eventually, you'll crash and burn.

Now, don't worry, I'm not suggesting you give up on your goals. But here's the thing: slowing down has a lot of benefits.

You'll recharge your batteries, reduce stress, find more joy, and have the mental clarity to tackle your to-do list. So take a breather this weekend, and give yourself permission to slow down.

Your future self will thank you for it.

Starting a business is like that dream where you fall without a parachute. It's both exhilarating and scary as hell. Springing headfirst into a new career isn't any different.

When I launched into radio at 24, it felt like I was jumping off a cliff and hoping for the best. I worked hard, learned fast, and climbed the proverbial ladder. But the constant demands and fast pace began to take their toll.

One night, somewhere between the exhaustion and the long hours, I'd nodded off. Mid-snooze, I jolted awake as the request line rang. I hit the microphone and tried to play it cool. But instead of asking, "What can I play for you?" I blurted out, "Uh, who's this?"

Needless to say, my boss wasn't amused. The following day, he looked me straight in the eye and gave me advice I'll never forget.

That little lesson carried me through a lot of years as a freelancer. Sure, running on coffee, protein bars, and zero sleep seemed like a bright idea. After all, it’s what all the cool kids were doing.

In reality? Not taking the time to rest and recharge is like playing with fire—we’re bound to get burned eventually.

As I trudged through the never-ending airport check-in line, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the monotonous questions fired at every traveler. "How was your trip? What did you love most? What's your favorite memory?" It was like a broken record that had been playing on repeat.

I watched as people around me begrudgingly answered with one-word responses. But then, in a split second, something incredible happened.

The TSA agent began sharing her travel experiences, cracking jokes, and offering travel tips along the way. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted from one of frustration to one of camaraderie and joy. People started chatting and laughing with each other, and the energy of the room became positively infectious.

At that moment, the monotonous check-in line transformed into a space of shared experiences and excitement for the adventures ahead. It was a reminder of the power of human connection and the happiness that can come from simply sharing our stories.

It got me thinking about how we, as freelancers, run our businesses. Too often, it's like going through airport security. We carry heavy burdens, rush around, and wonder why we're always grumpy.

But what if we took a different approach? What if we slowed down, interacted with the people around us, and focused on the positive aspects of our journey? What if we traveled a little lighter and made room for new experiences and opportunities?

Imagine what adding your spice and personality could do to lift any situation.