I’m about to enjoy a little end-of-the-year “down time.” My husband’s company trips are generally scheduled around the first or second week in December. In addition, his company shuts down the last two weeks in December, and I usually take my vacation around this time. I think everyone needs a break…including freelancers. But from what I read on discussion forums, some freelancers don’t take a break. They work on the weekends, and in some cases, they work while on vacation.

I know we don’t have employers paying vacation time; and with the present economic situation, we do whatever it takes to stay financial afloat. Still, I feel some freelancers develop a “work around the clock” mentality, and they don’t know how to break the cycle. I’ve been there, so I know what I’m talking about. I have an addictive personality, and I can recall one vacation where I was lying in a hammock on the beach, and thinking to myself, “I’m missing out on money this week.” I was being crazy, especially since I didn’t necessarily need the money. But I’ve grown as a person, and I’ve learned how to survive a vacation without my laptop.

I may work a little extra the week before my vacation, and I’ll submit some assignments early. But I’m not going to drive myself crazy. I give my clients advance notification, and they’re always understanding. Maybe I’ve been spoiled over the years, but I’ve never had someone say, “no you can’t take off, I need my website updated.” And even if they did, it wouldn’t stop me from taking a mental break. That’s the beauty of being a freelancer. As a professional, it’s my job to be courteous and inform clients of my absense weeks in advance…but I don’t have to ask permission.