Staying Inspired and Motivated: A Freelance Designer's Guide to Working From Home
Over the past few years remote working has massively grown in popularity - for very obvious reasons! However let’s not forget that many freelancers have been successfully navigating the world of remote work long before we ever heard the word ‘Covid’.
While it's true that remote work isn't for everyone and does come with its own set of challenges, the benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks in my opinion. The flexibility and freedom that freelancing or working from home in general offer can be truly transformative. Having more control over your schedule, pace and project selection empowers you to create a work-life balance that aligns more with your personal needs. That being said it can still be difficult to stay motivated and inspired if you’re working alone rather than as part of a team so I’ve put together some tips I find are key in keeping your creative momentum going strong.
Create a separate workspace: I appreciate that this is sometimes easier said than done but creating a dedicated area for work enables you to tailor your environment to whatever makes you feel most creative and focused. This not only boosts productivity but also helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance - being able to shut off your workspace when you want to relax is a GAME CHANGER. You don’t always have to work in this space, but having the ability to close the door on a particularly stressful day can really stop things getting too overwhelming and allow you time to reset when it’s needed.
Don’t be afraid to take a break: If you’re anything like me, you may think that taking breaks is quite literally a waste of time but in reality it can often give you the space you need to refocus. Whether you’re just grabbing a quick cup of tea or going for a walk, taking a few minutes for yourself can completely refresh your perspective when you return to your work. Although if you spend your breaks worrying about the time you are wasting, you are not actually resting so make sure to RELAX - I definitely learned this the hard way!
Stay connected: Something I still struggle with now as a freelance designer is making sure I stay connected with other creatives! It’s so easy to fall into the habit of working in a vacuum, but the best way to feel inspired is to talk to other freelancers about their own creative journey. I really believe that we can all become more confident designers if we make a conscious effort to collaborate and share knowledge whenever we can. So join that online community, message the designer whose work you love and don’t be afraid to reach out, as I try to tell myself - what’s the worst that can happen?
Find inspiration in everyday life: Observing the world around you is an obvious yet effective way to stay inspired. Visit galleries, fill your home with things you love, or research trends in fashion and interior design to spark new ideas. It doesn't matter where you find inspiration—the more diverse, the more interesting your work might become. Even something as simple as moving your favourite artwork to your workspace can spark a little joy and creativity - the more you try to add this into your working week the more creative you may feel.
Balance enjoyment and financial gain: Making money is crucial of course, but having a genuine love for your work is just as important in the long run! It's so easy to take our creativity for granted (I’ve been guilty of this in the past) but focusing on enjoyment in your work can boost motivation and encourage a positive mindset. Create a happy balance in your work by dedicating time to the things you enjoy and really try to find something you can appreciate in even the small mundane tasks. By doing so, you'll hopefully cultivate a rewarding career where your passion and income can flourish together.
Embrace your unique working style: Working from home can be so freeing as it gives you the space to figure out what actually motivates you. It doesn’t matter what works for other people, if it doesn’t work for you, you don’t have to do it! If you like to work 9-5, great. If you enjoy taking your laptop to a local cafe while you’re working - go for it. If you prefer to work on the sofa while bingeing true crime documentaries - just do it! Whichever way you want to work is completely up to you as long as you feel happy and comfortable enough to create. Ignore the people who say that you can’t be productive while wearing your pyjamas - you most definitely can!
Try to set clear boundaries: I think that establishing a clear line between your work and personal life is essential to maintain motivation and prevent the dreaded burnout. When you’re a freelancer it’s so easy to blur the lines between the two and of course it’s not always possible, but being able to completely shut off from work at least some of the time can really be a good thing. Set a schedule and communicate your working hours or days with your clients and loved ones. Stick to your plan as much as possible and remember to allow time for rest, socialising and self-care - your creative self will thank you!
Diversify your skillset: Expanding your skills can help to prepare you to take on a wider range of projects but it can also keep your work feeling fresh and exciting! Learning new techniques, software, or even exploring different design disciplines or crafts can inspire new ideas and help prevent creative block. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and push your boundaries to grow as a designer. Keeping your creative brain moving is always a good use of time, for example by switching to more mindful crafts sometimes you can not only develop fun hobbies but you can find ways to switch off while still feeling creative!
Make time for personal projects: As a freelancer you may not always have the opportunity to work on the most exciting client projects so investing some time into self driven work can really reignite your imagination. Setting yourself interesting projects can unleash your creativity, help you to discover new approaches and explore your interests without being bound by client expectations. You never know what this could lead to in the future and it could potentially open doors to fresh opportunities in your freelance journey, win - win!
Feedback is your friend: Actively seeking feedback from clients and peers is the best way to grow as a designer and maintain motivation. This is something you often receive much less as a freelancer in my experience - so don’t forget to seek it out! Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights into areas where you excel and those that may still need improvement. Continuously refining your skills and processes can help you stay competitive and adaptable in the ever-evolving design industry. Remember, the goal is not to be perfect but to consistently strive for progress and self-improvement. (Spoiler alert - nobody actually has it all figured out, but others may have valuable knowledge that could help you in your own career!)
These are just some of the things that have been helpful to me when working from home - but the creative journey is different for everyone and the most important thing is adapting to what suits you best. It's all about finding your own path, experimenting with new ideas and learning to embrace the ups and downs along the way. The freedom that working from home can give you is an opportunity to dedicate more time to your creativity and to activities that fill your creative cup, it also makes use of the time that would otherwise have been spent commuting.
Prioritising your mental and physical wellbeing is key to building a career that is fulfilling both financially and personally. By nurturing the balance between the two you can make sure you have enough energy and motivation to pursue your creative passion long term - without burning out!
I hope these tips can give you a creative boost and inspire you to keep doing what you love. If you have any other ideas feel free to share them in the comments or on socials.
Happy designing!
Frances