Why Don’t Some Freelance Blog Writers Take Time Off? (And Why You Should)
You know that feeling when you’ve been driving for hours? Your eyes get a bit blurry, your focus starts to drift, and every gas station sign looks like a five-star resort. You know you should pull over, stretch your legs, maybe grab a coffee.
But there’s that nagging voice, “Just a little further, I’m making good time.”
Being a freelance blog writer can feel a lot like that endless highway trip. The freedom is fantastic – setting your own hours, working from anywhere with a Wi-Fi signal. But let's be honest, that freedom can also feel like a pressure cooker.
Many of us, and I’ve been guilty of this too, find ourselves glued to our keyboards, skipping the very breaks that could actually make us better at what we do.
So, why do we do this to ourselves? And more importantly, why should we hit the pause button?
The "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" Gremlin
One of the biggest reasons we freelancers chain ourselves to our desks is that sneaky fear of being forgotten. It's a crowded market, right? You worry that if you step away for even a few days, clients will move on, opportunities will dry up, and you'll have to fight your way back into relevance.
I remember early in my freelance career, the thought of a week off felt like professional suicide. "What if they find someone better, faster, cheaper while I'm sipping a coconut on a beach?"
That anxiety is real.
The "No Work, No Pay" Reality Check
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: money. Unlike our 9-to-5 counterparts with their paid vacation days, for us, time off often means income off. Every hour we're not writing is an hour we're not earning.
It’s a simple, sometimes brutal, equation.
This direct link between hours clocked and pesos in the bank makes taking a vacation feel like a luxury you just can't afford, especially when you're juggling bills or saving up for something important.
The "Always-On" Expectation (That We Often Create)
In this digital age, there's an unspoken (or sometimes spoken!) expectation to be constantly available. Clients email at all hours, projects have tight turnarounds, and the internet never sleeps. And if we're really honest with ourselves, sometimes we are the ones setting that expectation.
A survey showed that a whopping 78% of freelancers wish they took more holidays. Yet, even when they do, many are still checking emails (58%), taking work calls (37%), or even chipping away at projects (28%). It’s like we’ve forgotten how to truly switch off.
I’ve been there, trying to type a “quick email” while balancing a plate of food at a family gathering. It’s not a good look, and it definitely doesn't feel like a break.
The Mountain of "Pre-Vacation" Work
Ever feel like preparing for a vacation is more work than the vacation itself?
You're not alone.
For freelancers, taking time off means working like a maniac beforehand to get everything done, prepping clients, and trying to anticipate any potential fires that might erupt in your absence.
Sometimes, just the thought of that pre-holiday hustle is enough to make you say,
"You know what? It's just easier to keep working."
Okay, So Why Bother Taking a Break Then? The Upside is HUGE.
If all those reasons not to take a break are nodding your head, let me tell you, I get it. But from my own experience, and from what the smart folks who study this stuff are saying, the reasons to take a break are far more compelling.
Sharpen Your Writing Sword (And Your Creativity)
This might sound a bit backward, but stepping away from your writing actually makes your writing better. Think about it – when you’re tired and overworked, your creativity takes a nosedive. Your sentences get clunky, your ideas feel stale.
Countless studies have shown that rest and refresh periods are when your brain does its best work. For us, as writers whose income depends on fresh ideas and clear communication, that’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a business imperative.
I’ve found some of my best article ideas have popped into my head when I’m out for a walk, playing with my daughter, or doing absolutely nothing related to work.
Smash Through That Pesky Writer's Block
Ah, writer's block. The bane of our existence. Staring at a blinking cursor, feeling like your brain has turned to mush. Often, the best cure for this is simply to stop writing for a bit.
Taking a break releases that pressure valve. It gives your mind the space to wander, to make new connections, and to come back to the page refreshed and ready to go.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve struggled with a piece, only to solve it in my head after stepping away for a few hours or even a day.
Your Brain (And Your Family) Will Thank You
The mental health benefits of taking time off are massive.
Seriously, the numbers don't lie: 92% of freelancers report positive effects from taking breaks. We're talking better work-life balance (for 59% of us), improved relationships with loved ones (44%), and a significant drop in stress and anxiety (another 44%).
And get this: freelancers who take more days off (around 33 days a year) report lower stress levels than those who take fewer (around 20 days). With about 41% of us admitting to high stress levels, this is a no-brainer. Your well-being isn't a luxury; it's the foundation of your ability to work at all.
Playing the Long Game: Sustainability is Key
Burning the candle at both ends might get you through a busy week or two, but it's a terrible long-term strategy. Trust me on this one. I started freelancing back in 2018, and it took me years to truly understand the importance of sustainable pacing.
Pushing yourself relentlessly leads to burnout, and burnout can take you out of the game completely. Regularly scheduled breaks aren't about being lazy; they're about ensuring you can keep doing what you love (and getting paid for it) for years to come. It’s like a car – you can drive it hard and fast without maintenance for a while, but eventually, it’s going to break down.
Regular tune-ups keep it running smoothly.
What's the Real Score with Freelancers and Time Off?
The stats are pretty interesting. On average, freelancers take about 24 days of holiday a year. That’s not too shabby, but it’s a bit less than the standard 28 days many UK employees get.
But here's where it gets a bit concerning:
- A small but significant 9% of freelancers take no days off at all.
- Another 14% take fewer than five days a year.
- On the brighter side, 34% take 25 days or more, and 13% are rocking 40+ days off annually.
It seems the younger crowd (16-34) are a bit better at this, with about 32% taking over 30 days off, compared to 22% of freelancers over 55. Maybe there's a generational shift happening in how we view work and well-being.
The most telling thing? Most freelancers want more time off than they're currently taking – on average, we'd like about 38 days a year, which is 14 more days than we're actually getting. This "aspiration gap" tells me that deep down, we know we need more breaks, even if we struggle to make them happen.
Practical Steps to Actually Taking That Break (Yes, You Can!)
Okay, so you're convinced. Breaks are good. Essential, even. But how do you actually pull it off when the rent is due and clients are calling?
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Diversify Your Income
This is a big one. If all your income comes from one or two major clients, the thought of taking time off can be terrifying. What if they need something urgently? What if that project dries up while you're away?
I've learned that diversifying your income streams is a game-changer. Maybe it's a mix of client work, a small digital product, affiliate marketing, or even some AI-assisted content repurposing (where you’re still the strategic brain, of course!).
Having multiple streams, even if some are small, creates a financial cushion and reduces that feeling of dependency, making it easier to schedule breaks without panicking. One freelancer I know put it perfectly: "going all in on one sight... is demotivating as hell to be almost wiped out and not have anything else going on."
Plan Your Escape: Strategic Workload Management
A little planning goes a long way. Instead of a last-minute scramble, start prepping for your time off a few weeks in advance.
- Gradually ramp up your productivity to clear your plate.
- Communicate clearly with your clients. Let them know well in advance when you'll be away and when you'll be back. Set those expectations.
- Build buffer time into your project deadlines around your break.
- Set up an out-of-office autoresponder for your emails. Simple, but effective.
Baby Steps: Short and Sweet Breaks Count Too
If a two-week vacation feels impossible right now, start smaller. Even short, regular breaks throughout your workday can make a huge difference. The Pomodoro Technique (working in focused bursts with short breaks in between) is popular for a reason.
No one, and I mean no one, can write effectively for eight hours straight. These "microbreaks" keep your mind fresh and can build your confidence for taking longer periods off.
Train Your Clients: Set Those Boundaries
This is crucial. You need to set expectations with your clients from the get-go. Let them know your working hours and your policy on availability during time off. If they know you'll be completely offline during your vacation, they're less likely to try and reach you (and you're less likely to feel guilty for not responding).
It’s about being professional, not about being a 24/7 writing machine.
The Big Question: Can You Afford Not To Take Time Off?
Look, I know the pressures are real. The fear of falling behind, the financial realities, the client demands – they all play a part in why we freelance writers often feel like we can't take a break.
But the evidence, and my own hard-won experience, points in the opposite direction. Regular breaks aren't an indulgence; they're an investment. An investment in your mental and physical health, in the quality of your work, in your creativity, and ultimately, in the long-term sustainability of your freelance career.
That "aspiration gap" we talked about – wanting more time off than we take – shows that we instinctively know this. The challenge is moving from knowing to doing.
So, maybe the question we should be asking ourselves isn't "Can I afford to take time off?" but "Can I truly afford not to?" In my book, the answer to that is a resounding "No."
Your best work, your best ideas, and your best self often emerge when you give yourself the space to breathe.