Introducing Freelancer Fridays!

In my last blog I wrote about how I’m embracing collaborative working with other freelancers in order to get more done & offer a better service to my clients.  The thing that has struck me while talking to my network of colleagues & fellow freelancers is just how tough the last year has been on solo-workers. The beauty of freelance work is the freedom it allows us; to work where & when we choose, to network & collaborate with a wide variety of colleague & clients who share our interests & drive.  But this year has really challenged the working dream!

Humans by nature are sociable creatures so it’s frightening to think about the long-term impact that this forced isolation will have on society as a whole.  This most recent lockdown is taking its toll on everyone with large numbers of people going several days at a time without human connection. This is no good for our wellbeing. 
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I think it’s totally understandable to not be feeling at the top of your game right now. There’s a lot going on, and it gets even harder if you’re trying to home-school too whilst keeping an income rolling in. Support for self-employed people has been minimal, and for those newly self-employed due to losing their jobs it’s non-existent, so the pressure for peak productivity is high!

As freelancers we’re used to working on our own iniative and self-motivating but after almost a year of isolation in stressful, uncertain times with constantly changing rules, even the most stoic character would feel the effects.  A lot of fellow freelancers I talk to are finding increasingly that they’re feeling the cumulative effects of the last few months on their wellbeing.  I’m having weekly conversations with my network about fighting feelings of frustration, loneliness, low-motivation and uncertainty. And it’s not just a couple of people – it’s EVERYONE I talk to.

So I had an idea. My network is full of interesting, funny, warm and wonderful people so why not make some connections & offer these people the chance to cheer each other up!  It’s easy to think you’re the only one feeling the struggle if no-one else is talking about it. So I’m introducing ‘Freelancer Fridays’ as a chance for fellow lone-workers to connect with their peers and give a little moral support for the crazy times we’re all living in.  

The event is a monthly, informal zoom meet-up for anyone who wants to chat with fellow freelancers about the joys of home-working, home-schooling, finding motivation or new clients in a pandemic & anything else that springs to mind.  Use it as a networking opportunity, or just a way to see some smiling faces & take 40 mins out of your day for a wellbeing boost.

If you want to join in send me a message to [email protected] and I’ll sign you up!

The aim is to run them the last Friday of every month, from 2pm but keep an eye on Caffeina Socials for any extra updates!