This article is by Contributor: Jenny Holt
The life of a freelance writer is a life of freedom, creativity and flexibility, but this can come with a number of drawbacks. Firstly, there can be no guarantee of finding work and therefore getting paid. Secondly, there is no guarantee that your editor will approve your work. You may have followed the brief to the best of your ability, but since this is a creative job, whether your piece is judged to be of adequate standard is largely subjective. This lack of financial security can cause not only terrible stress for a writer, but feelings of anxiety. How do you prevent these feelings occurring and deal with them as they arise?
Best Ways to Overcome Anxiety as a Freelance Writer
How do you prevent these feelings occurring and deal with them as they arise?
Ask for Help
Remote workers often work in solitude, but as a freelancer you are still working for someone else. If something is bothering you about a job you’ve been assigned, then the earlier you can talk it through with your editor, the better. They want you to produce the best work possible, so won’t mind helping to point you in the right direction.
Practice Meditation
If you are feeling overloaded with information and pressure, then meditation has been proven to reduce anxiety. Just five minutes a day enough is to help calm your nerves and put you into a relaxed state which will help you perform better.
Furthermore, it doesn’t need to be difficult. Simply find a quiet spot away from distractions, close your eyes and focus your mind. Once in this state, forget about criticism from the past or upcoming assignments. Try and become as present as possible, focusing only on the breath and bodily sensations.
Use a Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket gently distributes weight evenly across your body while in bed. Scientific research suggests that this can help to boost both serotonin and melatonin. The former will reduce depressive feelings, while the latter will help you drift to sleep and not be kept up by anxious thoughts.
You can design your own weighted blanket using fabric, pellets and stuffing. You will be surprised how a simple homemade blanket quiets your thoughts late at night, when anxiety is often at its worse. When you awake, you will feel refreshed and more ready to get on with work.
Anxiety as a writer is extremely common, just as it is common among all people from all walks of life. However, you don’t have to let it consume you. Be willing to accept the support of others to ensure you know what is being asked of you. You can then use psychological and physical aids to decrease anxiety as it arises, including meditation and weighted blankets.
There is an interesting article about using weighted blankets for autism related anxiety to provide a good night’s sleep on the Autism Parenting Magazine website. You can read the article here: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/weighted-blankets-autism/.
You can obtain an Amazon Kindle eBook guide to weighted blankets and access to weighted blanket supplies by clicking on the icon below.
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This readers’ contribution is from Jenny Holt, Freelance writer.
