Poll: Does your work as a freelancer generate a certain level of stress for you?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Aug 13, 2017

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Does your work as a freelancer generate a certain level of stress for you?".

This poll was originally submitted by Anne-Sophie Cardinal. View the poll results »



 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 19:52
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Not really! Aug 13, 2017

I don’t stress as much as I used to… In the very beginning I pulled numerous all-nighters in the process of meeting deadlines and I’m sure I have gained a few gray hairs, but now (many years later) I know myself quite well, I’m still extremely motivated, I understand my limitations, I learned to say “no”, I became organized and methodical, I never bite off more than I can chew and over the years I have learned the importance of taking time out for myself! Keep calm is my motto. As Mi... See more
I don’t stress as much as I used to… In the very beginning I pulled numerous all-nighters in the process of meeting deadlines and I’m sure I have gained a few gray hairs, but now (many years later) I know myself quite well, I’m still extremely motivated, I understand my limitations, I learned to say “no”, I became organized and methodical, I never bite off more than I can chew and over the years I have learned the importance of taking time out for myself! Keep calm is my motto. As Miguel de Cervantes said: “There is a remedy for everything but death”...

Having said that, clients that are bad or slow payers still send me through the roof!
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Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 04:52
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
In most cases, no Aug 13, 2017

However, "Yes" if a project turns out to be something totally different from what it's supposed to be.

 
Elizabeth Tamblin
Elizabeth Tamblin  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:52
French to English
Yes, a lot Aug 13, 2017

I get stressed about everything - it's just the way I am. Mindfulness and meditation don't work for me. I even tried self-hypnosis tapes, to no avail.

 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 20:52
English to Italian
some Aug 13, 2017

I would consider it as normal, the "extra-stress" is tax-related. In Italy you never know how things are going to change year after year and this is a source stress.

 
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Yetta Jensen Bogarde  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 20:52
Member (2012)
English to Danish
+ ...
Sometimes Aug 13, 2017

but I don't consider that unique to our profession, it's more the time we live in..

 
Ricki Farn
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 20:52
English to German
Well, Aug 13, 2017

*not* being a freelancer would generate incomparably more stress for me!

 
Fiona Grace Peterson
Fiona Grace Peterson  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 20:52
Italian to English
Normal and probably positive Aug 13, 2017

I think that a certain level of stress as a freelancer is normal and "desirable" - it means we're pushing ourselves further, or that we’re in a situation we realise we shouldn't be, and both teach us something and help us grow.
And as Ricki said, I can't think of any thing more stressful than a daily commute, and other things that are part and parcel of being an employee. Sure, being a freelancer can be stressful. But it gives me a huge degree of control over my working life, which is em
... See more
I think that a certain level of stress as a freelancer is normal and "desirable" - it means we're pushing ourselves further, or that we’re in a situation we realise we shouldn't be, and both teach us something and help us grow.
And as Ricki said, I can't think of any thing more stressful than a daily commute, and other things that are part and parcel of being an employee. Sure, being a freelancer can be stressful. But it gives me a huge degree of control over my working life, which is empowering and gratifying.
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Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 20:52
French to English
Admin Aug 14, 2017

I get stressed out with admin. luckily I saw a thread just recently (in French) about the awful setup for freelancers and how you can write any number of times and never get an answer that shows that the writer actually read your letter, so I know it's not just me. The new president promised to reform all that and make it simpler, we shall see how true that is.

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 16:52
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I have to say "no" Aug 14, 2017

Compared to the level of stress that my previous in-house jobs generated, freelancing is a piece of cake.

 


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Poll: Does your work as a freelancer generate a certain level of stress for you?






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