7 Daily Habits For Freelancers – A List of Dos and Don’ts

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If you’re a freelancer, it’s important to follow the right routine for you – and a few daily habits help me achieve my best every day.

It’s not about creating a complicated schedule or overwhelming to-do list. It’s just about implementing healthy, simple habits to improve productivity and focus throughout the day.

Let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts of setting yourself daily habits. How can you improve your freelance routine?

7 daily habits for freelancers – dos and don’ts

1. Do get dressed

I know some people don’t like to get dressed before starting work in the morning. If that works for you, go for it.

However, for me, getting dressed is an important daily habit. Just because I’m working from home, that doesn’t mean I roll out of bed to my desk.

Sure, I’ll often wear clothes that might not be suitable for a formal office dress code – but just the process of getting up, doing my make-up and getting dressed ensures I’m in the right mindset for work.

This may be different for different people. You might like to have a quick shower or go for a walk before getting started. Create a freelance morning routine that works for you.

2. Don’t stay inside all day

If you’re a freelancer or you work from home, the temptation to stay inside all day can be real. However, getting out of the house will help you feel more productive – and it’s important for your mental health.

You could:

• Pick up something from the shops
• Work out of the house
• Walk around the block
• Meet a friend
• Pick up some lunch
• Go to the gym

I’m very lucky to live near lots of green spaces – and I always make sure to go for a walk at lunchtime, at the very least. Even just a 5-minute walk around the block is a great break for your mind – and you can stretch your legs, too.

Looking for more tips? Check out my blog post to build a productive Summer routine that works for you – how to adjust your routine by season.

3. Do make healthy choices

You need to power your freelance work with healthy choices. Make sure to eat a nutritious breakfast to energise you in the morning and take a proper break for lunch as a remote worker.

If you work at a desk, get up throughout the day to stretch your legs – and take breaks from your screen whenever you can. Choose healthy snacks to give yourself the energy you need to stay productive.

If you’re the kind of person who forgets to drink, keep a bottle or glass of water on your desk and top it up throughout the day. Give yourself a physical reminder that you need to hydrate!

Check out my blog post for 17 easy and healthy snack ideas for remote workers.

4. Don’t get sucked into social media

Social media can really eat up your time! Reduce social media time as part of your daily routine. You could avoid social media at certain times of the day or just try to reduce scrolling on your phone.

I like to put my phone away while I work to avoid messaging, but I often get distracted by LinkedIn on my desktop. I use it to promote my business – so it’s easy to get sucked in.

However, it helps to designate time for social media on my to-do list. I’ll often reply to comments or write a post without looking at my feed. This means I can keep up with my account without getting sucked into meaningless scrolling.

5. Do make time for other people

Freelancing can be isolating, so you need to make time for other people during your day. You could attend an online networking event, meet up with friends and family, go to a coworking session or work from a café.

Making time for other people can improve your productivity and get you thinking about your business. I get so many new ideas from talking to other writers – and going to events helps me feel connected as a freelancer.

6. Don’t be afraid to mix it up

As a freelancer, it can be hard to get out of the 9 to 5 mentality. However, freelancing gives you the flexibility to manage your own time. You can take extra time off at lunch or go to the gym before work.

Putting daily habits in place is all well and good, but they need to work for you – and you need to get into the habit of mixing up your routine.

If you work better in the morning, make it a habit to start early and capitalise on that time. Or if you prefer to work in the evenings, organise your day to make that happen.

7. Do get into the habit of taking time off

Get into the habit of taking time off for lunch and regular breaks during the day, just like in a traditional job. You could go for a walk, read a magazine or just watch a bit of TV.

I even know some freelancers who use an annual leave calendar to ensure they’re taking their full holiday allowance.

Whatever it takes, build regular time off into your routine. It makes you a better freelancer – and you’ll come back to work refreshed and inspired.

What are your daily habits? How do you manage your time as a freelancer? Do you have any dos and don’ts for freelance life?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x