The day in the life of a freelance writer.

When I quit my job as a full-time Content Coordinator at a wedding magazine to pursue freelance writing and blogging in 2016, I struggled with the idea of working from home. I've always been more of a team player than a trailblazer, so having colleagues around to bounce ideas off of and learn from was what ultimately sparked my motivation to work hard and accomplish set goals. (The occasional after-hour meetups for cocktails weren't awful either.)

Left to my own devices, however, staying productive and on-task was a challenge I had anticipated. For a few months into my new freelancing gig, I definitely spent more time browsing the internet than actually writing (and trying to justify my procrastination by calling it "research"). Which, of course, made me feel secretly guilty and embarrassed when friends and family would pose the dreaded question, "What exactly do you do all day?"

First of all, ain't none of yo' business. Ahem, what?

But at some point during the last 2-3 years of working from home (on and off), I've figured out a simple schedule that suits me as a freelancer, a student, and a wife—so that my career stays a priority even though I never step foot in an office, and I fall into bed every night feeling accomplished rather than ashamed.

EMILY’S TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE

(For all you nosy people who've asked what it is I do all day. Kidding! Let's hop to it.)

7:00am: This is about the time I wake up. Sometimes it's earlier, sometimes it's later. I used to be a super early riser (5:30am!), but I'm definitely enjoying my ZZZs waaay more nowadays. And since I'm no longer a huge coffee drinker, I don't jump out of bed ready to take on the world. Mornings are slow AF, and I'm okay with that.

7:30am: It's into yoga pants and out the door for my morning jog/walk. I've found a little sun and exercise to be the perfect way to start my day, and Frisco's cool springtime air doesn't hurt. Soon the Texas weather will be intolerable, so I've got to get outside while I can!

8:30am: By this time, I'm sitting down for breakfast (this morning it was a couple slices of homemade paleo banana bread, topped with peanut butter and raspberries). I check my emails and read my favorite blogs while I eat. If Scott hasn't left for work yet, we eat together sans technology.

9:00am: My workday begins! Regardless of what tasks I have on my plate, I'll usually log a few hours before lunch. (This is when my mind is sharpest, even without caffeine.) What does my work look like, exactly? Lots of social media management and scheduling for different accounts, client blog post writing/editing, copywriting assignments, any scheduled meetings I may have on the calendar, the occasional article to write (if I have a looming deadline), or reaching out to brands/publications for potential writing opportunities.

Every so often, I'll spend this time nestled in one of my favorite coffee shops around town to help me focus, but for financial reasons, this is only maybe once or twice a week. (Those cups of Joe add up!)

11:00am: I can't stand to sit still for more than a few hours at a time, so I like to incorporate some sort of movement before lunch. Lately, this has been a 20-minute full body workout from Diary of a Fit Mommy's website. (Whether you're a mom or not, her guides are amazing!)

11:30am: If I'm not yet starving, I'll take a hot shower or bath and change into some fresh clothes. I.e., old jeans and a tee or, as of more recently, black leggings and a long sweater. Unless I plan on going out in the evening, I skip the makeup and rock SPF moisturizer instead. A perk of working alone!

12:00pm: Lunch break. To keep it simple, I tend to heat up the previous night's leftovers. If that's not an option, I'll throw together a salad with any raw veggies we have in the fridge and top it with canned sardines in EVOO (mmm, omega-3s!) and tortilla chips. Don't knock it 'til you try it.

12:30pm: It's back to work, finishing up whatever I didn't have time for in the AM. But, to be perfectly honest, I usually only get through an hour or so of writing before...

1:30pm: I can barely keep my eyes open. This is where working from home is the holy grail: It's my schedule, and I can nap if I want to. The post-lunch slump is real for this lady, and my butt is usually on the couch between 1:30pm and 2:30pm—sometimes resting, sometimes scrolling through Instagram on my phone.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If by some miracle I don't feel sleepy, I'll run errands or do some chores. (Grocery shopping, folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, etc.)

3:00pm: To boost my energy, I'll have a snack (like a protein bar or fresh fruit) and continue any work I have left. Nutrition school projects and homework also take precedence here—but that'll be a thing of the past come May!

4:30pm: Scott walks in the door around 5pm most nights, and I like to at least have dinner in mind before then. If I'm planning on cooking, I'll begin preparing my ingredients right about now. If it's his night on kitchen duty, I'll make sure to have the kitchen clean and everything put away so he can work his magic.

6:00pm: Dinner is on the table. We're early eaters!

6:30pm: I'm in my pajamas and wrapping up any last-minute to-dos. This could look like extra work (if it was a particularly work-heavy day), school assignments, chores, or researching prospective clients. Most of the time, however, I'm blogging for fun (like tonight), watching one of my go-to shows, or hanging out with the hubster.

Ta-da! Nothing much to it, eh?

Obviously, this is just rough sketch; no two days look exactly alike for me. (Every other Friday, for example, I'm either teaching a nutrition class downtown or counseling at Birth Choice for half of the day.) But that's honestly what I love about freelancing: the flexibility! I tire of monotonous routines really quickly, and I remember being constantly restless with a normal 9-to-5 office job. That said, I definitely miss the camaraderie that comes with working with a team. Freelancing can get awfully lonely at times, but when that happens, I just make sure to prioritize my relationships or make new friends in other aspects of my life. Everything in balance, you know?

Phew, that was long! Thanks for reading!

I'd love to know, is this pretty much what you expected from a part-time freelancer? Does it sound like something you'd love or hate?