It’s been a full month of being a freelance writer. Through the dissipation of fear, I can see the full reality of working from home. I regret not doing it sooner! I’m still in search of a good rhythm. I’m close to getting steading clients and I’m learning a lot. Before taking this step I did look at all my finances, tightened up the budget and looked forward to not using so much gas driving. But there are some things I didn’t fully think about.
Toilet Paper
I had a closet full of toilet paper; enough to survive for an extended amount of time during a zombie apocalypse. Every trip to Target always includes purchase of toilet paper – because you can never have too much. I drink over 100 ounces of water per day. I didn’t think twice about it while running to the bathroom at work. I’ve gone through my stock pile quickly while working from home. The result, I’m upping my toilet paper budget. But its good because I’m saving money on gas and make-up.
Make-Up
Something that completely slipped my mind, I don’t put on make-up or perfume to work from home. My make up brushes are collecting dust and almost mock me as I pass them to get to the toilet – every hour! This is a definite plus; it makes getting dressed for lunch with friends fun again. I do occasionally spray on some perfume, because I love and collect perfume.
Heat
I did think about this prior, but my workspace is in my fabulous but very chilly basement. I don’t like being cold. And going to a job, I let the temp drop 10+ degrees while working. This one I’m getting lucky on because I heat my house with oil and oil is at a lowest it’s been since I live in my house. However, I don’t keep the heat on all day, because of the oil heat my electric bill is low even in the winter so I bought an electric heater for the basement. But if it’s too cold, working at my dining room table suffices. Eventually I will put in a fireplace insert in my basement fireplace.
The only time I’ve suffered from cabin fever was the first 2 weeks because I was the sickest I’ve been in a decade. But I do get out to the gym 5 days during the week and grocery store runs. As meeting with potential clients ramps up I’ll be out more. For now, I’m enjoying the write life, the solitude and the hustle!
Working from home is great, but in the two years I have been doing I have realized I must stay on top of myself or time does get away from me. Keeping your gym/workout schedule is fantastic.
For the day-to-day, I use check lists. Keep to a schedule – wake up time and bed time, or you could get lazy after a while with no one to be accountable to. But there is nothing like it! I love being self-employed! Congrats!
So far so good! I do over estimate how much I can get done in a day. I’m working on that. But I appreciate the flexibility.