The grind never stops if you’re a freelance writer. Or at least that’s how it feels. There’s always another pitch to send or another deliverable to turn in.
When your income depends on your output, stepping away from the keyboard can feel risky. Depending on your unique situation, maybe it feels impossible.
But one thing I’ve come to learn over my almost nine years as a freelancer is that breaks are a must.
It’s not what you want to hear, I’m sure. Especially not when the weight of deadlines is crushing and you aren’t sure where the next paycheck is coming from.
Yet, it’s an inescapable truth.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve taken a step back to refresh and recharge. The sky didn’t fall. The world didn’t stop spinning.
In fact, regular, intentional breaks can make you a better writer and a more fulfilled human.
The Productivity Lie
Sadly, we live in a world that worships productivity. “Rise and grind.” “Hustle harder.” “Pull yourself up by the bootstraps.”
Our culture tells us to do more, be faster, and work longer.
As a freelancer, you don’t have a boss to tell you to clock out. That makes it dangerously easy to treat rest like an optional indulgence.
But skipping breaks doesn’t get you further ahead. All it does is set you up for tomorrow, where your brain will be running on fumes. Eventually the tank runs dry.
You might notice this in your work if you, like me, struggle to step back. Typos start adding up and even simple assignments start to feel impossible.
That’s burnout.
Breaks = Brain Fuel
There’s real science reinforcing the importance of taking breaks. A 2021 study from the University of Illinois showed that mental fatigue sets in after prolonged attention, and short breaks can actually prevent the decline.
For creatives who rely on their brain to make a living, that’s huge. Writing involves problem solving, crafting narratives, juggling multiple client voices, doing math when invoicing, and communicating across numerous mediums.
That’s mentally demanding work.
When you give yourself room to breathe, your brain can recharge.
Ever notice how your best ideas come in the shower, or while walking the dog? That’s because creativity often blooms in moments of rest. When you take a break, especially a “non-screen” one, your brain enters what researchers call the “default mode network.”
That state is linked to imagination and creative problem-solving. In other words, your muse likes a little fresh air.
How to Take a Break (Without the Guilt)
The freelance lifestyle is empowering. Just as much as it can set you free, it can also be a trap if you tie your identity to constant output.
Writing is your career. But you’re a person. You have a mind, a body, and a life beyond the keyboard.
It sounds silly, but so many of us forget this simple fact. You deserve a break.
If you’re not used to giving yourself that time, start small:
- Take a real lunch break. Get away from your desk and the screens.
- Schedule 10-minute blocks for movement between writing sprints. Go for walk or do some bodyweight exercises in your office.
- Try a “creative day” once a month (or once a week) where you do no client work and don’t feel bad about it. Spend the time pursuing your other interests or hobbies.
- Schedule a day off in the calendar before you’re desperate for it. You’ll feel less guilty when it’s planned in advance.
If you’re serious about freelance writing, you need to build a business that’s sustainable. That means thinking long-term.
The only way to get there is through balance.
Next time you feel the urge to push through, ask yourself if a 20-minute break would serve you better.
Chances are, it will.
