Formula for a perfect week of freelancing
Ingredients: Creativity, flexibility, and a little bit of chaos
Something clicked last week. I was able to focus, I was genuinely excited to sit at my desk, and I finished assignments when I said I would. It has felt like ages since I’ve been able to sit, distraction free, and get into the flow of writing. The only hiccup was showing up late to a meeting that I almost forgot about entirely but other than that, everything else was smooth sailing. I wish I could tell you my secrets to a perfect week. I wish there was some magical recipe like I promised.
The truth is, I have no idea why it went so well. I didn’t make any radical changes and I was even a little bit sleepy each day. It was just a really good work week. This makes me both a little skeptical (what was in my coffee?) and very determined to figure out the secret sauce (again, what was in my coffee?).
My perfect day already has its own formula: It starts with waking up early and easing into the morning with coffee and curling up on the couch. This is followed by some form of big exercise. A long run or hike or bike ride that completely tires me out. Lunch and a nap come next. And by late afternoon/early evening, I’m ready for quality time with friends and a nourishing meal. An early bedtime is preferred, but I won’t get in the way of a spontaneous evening adventure either.
On the other hand, I do not have a formula for my perfect work day yet. In an effort to uncover what made last week feel so natural, loose, and easy, I’ve documented each day below. This will serve as a reminder to myself so I can hopefully replicate it in the future—and it’ll give you a peek into my productive week as a freelancer.
Monday
Sitting on the couch at 9 AM, I thought I’d lean into the cozy vibes of Portland as rain dripped outside. But I had this sinking feeling I was forgetting something. Sure enough, as I was sifting through emails, I got a ping from someone at 9:30 asking me if I was still joining our meeting. I knew it. Thank god I had bothered to wash my face. I joined immediately and it was no problem, but damn do I hate that feeling. Not a winning start. After the meeting, I got a move on two stories due that day for Field Mag. I had already started one story the week prior, so I chipped away at it until it was complete. By then, I had to head up into the hills to interview a sculptor with the most gorgeous indoor/outdoor studio for the next STUDIO VISITS feature. I can’t wait to share it with you at the end of the month. That meant the other story would have to wait (and I let my editor know).
Perhaps the secret ingredient to a perfect week is starting Mondays with a studio visit. I always feel so energized talking to artists and being out in the world.
Tuesday
Having signed up for a workout class at noon, my day was broken up into two parts. Morning and afternoon. I used the morning to catch up on my copywriting work—writing quippy copy for a few Outdoorsy newsletters. I also caught up with my friend
who lives in London. Our conversations alway gives me energy and new ideas and verve. Then I sweat my butt off at a strength and conditioning class I hadn’t been to before. In the afternoon, I knocked out most of a story for PeopleForBikes about my visit to Tennessee earlier this year. I always like to leave a little space between finishing the writing and turning it in, if I can afford it, so I decided to send it to my editor the next day. Then it was 5!What if exercise is the secret ingredient? Being out in the world and moving my body? Or maybe it was talking to a friend?
