We acquired married in February this yr, and since then, my wife, Dhara, has been struggling to land freelance gigs. Discovering work is far more tough than truly doing it. I’ve been freelance writing since 2014, and my spouse began her freelance profession in 2019, so I do know this for a reality.
My spouse despatched out dozens of chilly emails to potential purchasers and acquired one man to reply, however he ghosted her. She has additionally utilized for full-time jobs, however nothing panned out.
Whereas I’ve had a constant circulation of purchasers, I confronted comparable conditions earlier than we got married. I misplaced a high-paying, long-term consumer just a few years in the past and could not land a brand new gig for seven months.
Suffice it to say that freelancing is tough, and it is much more tough when your life companion is in the identical boat. To ensure we help one another and maintain our marriage wholesome, we observe just a few essential pointers.
Prioritize communication
We regularly attempt to discover time to speak about one another’s work. We additionally talk about shared and particular person priorities in order that we all know what’s essential to one another every week. Speaking wants, duties, and expectations helps us build trust. Failing to take action results in undesirable heartburn and arguments for us.
We apply collectively deciding how you can allocate time and assets based mostly on our collective priorities. By means of communication, we’re in a position to work collectively to make sure every thing will get accomplished with out sacrificing a lot.
Self-care
Freelancing is difficult. We discovered that not being bodily, mentally, and emotionally match will result in stress, depression, and arguments in our home.
Sitting is unhealthy, and I sit in a single place for hours. I am making an attempt to alter that. I rapidly stroll round each few hours or so and stretch a bit to keep away from a stiff again. I additionally hit the gymnasium within the night to calibrate my psychological peace and maintain in form. Strolling is a good supply of concepts and much-needed readability. It is a feel-good time for me.
Dhara is a rockstar. She does the household chores whereas in search of gigs, so she would not have to sit down in a single place for lengthy hours.
Alone time
I like spending time with myself. Whereas my spouse hasn’t but purchased into this concept, she respects my need for solitude. I usually go quiet and observe my ideas; that is meditation for me. It helps me collect myself, decelerate, and focus.
Having alone time would not at all times imply solitude. It additionally means doing what you like with out having to justify it. I like sports activities, so I take pleasure in watching a recreation on my own.
We encourage one another to pursue hobbies, pursuits, and social actions that convey us nearer to ourselves.
Monetize arguments
My spouse and I argue rather a lot, and that is OK. I discovered that our arguments permit us to develop, study, and strengthen our relationship. Arguments could be wholesome for us so long as we do not flip the arguments into fights the place we throw private assaults.
To additional flip our arguments right into a optimistic factor, we began paying a high-quality of $6 every each time we argued. It is a new apply we began once we acquired married. This cash can then be used for procuring, touring, or anything we’re each concerned in.
Assist one another professionally
I’ve been freelancing longer than my spouse has, so I do know a factor or two about this nook of the skilled world and attempt to share that with my spouse. I’ve taught Dhara how you can use LinkedIn to search out prospects and how you can pitch to prospects.
I’ve additionally created an internet site for her the place she will weblog. I then optimize her content material for engines like google, growing the possibilities of getting leads.
In return, I make use of Dhara as a beta reader, explaining the content material I’ve written to her. If she understands and likes it, I do know I’ve accomplished properly.
We simply acquired married, but it surely already looks like I’ve discovered my finest buddy. We get to spend our romantic {and professional} lives collectively. It simply requires lots of endurance, which comes after investing years in a single particular person.