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The beauty and curse of being a freelance writer is that “you can work whenever you want!” When I was a single, childfree freelance writer living in the city, I still mostly kept workday hours, responding to emails by 10 am and keeping it going until 6 pm with a few leisurely breaks in between — media events, editor meetups, workout classes, and naps.

But it was challenging to give the workday some finality. When you’re waiting to see if that article pitch is approved or if the client is finally ready to kickstart a project, it’s very tempting to keep checking your email.

You don’t have colleagues packing up around you or a commute to start, and it’s common for many freelancers to find themselves answering client emails at 9 p.m., never quite feeling "off the clock."

These days, since we can run our businesses from our smartphones, it’s challenging to “shut the day off” even from our couches while relaxing with loved ones — especially if they are on devices, too.

But there are benefits to actually ending your workday.

The science backs up what you probably already suspect: a consistent end-of-day ritual can help with burnout, anxiety, and strengthen your ability to return to work feeling fresh the next day.

If you’re like many writers or work-from-home creatives who could use some help “ending” your workday — 60% of poll respondents said they could use an assist —check out these suggestions.

End-of-Day Rituals to Help Freelancers Close Out the Day

Pick two to three that feel right and give them a try for a week or two.

Quick daily review. 

Spend five minutes noting what you accomplished and what's up next. This brain dump clears mental clutter and gives tomorrow-you a running start. Check out the one thing I do at night that sets me up for a productive workday.

Tidy up.

*Actually* shut down your computer. Close those thirteen browser tabs. Shut the laptop. Clear your desk and put the laptop away, or possibly cover your desktop. A clean space tells your brain the workday is done.

Having to move a sheet or something off your desktop if you’re tempted to work later will remind you that you wanted to be done for the day.

Create your own commute. 

Walk around the block. Change out of your work clothes (or if you didn’t leave the house and are in comfy clothes, put on jeans and get out in public).

Schedule a workout class you have to get to. Move to a different room. This physical shift replaces the transition you'd normally get from leaving an office.

Mute work notifications. 

Turn off email and Slack alerts on your phone.

Sometimes I’ll “pause” my Gmail work account until the next morning or delete certain social media apps from my phone so I’m not tempted to check and respond. Being a freelancer means boundaries are essential.

Build in a small reward. 

End your day with something you enjoy: a walk, a podcast, stretching, time with your pet, family, a flavorful herbal tea, or your favorite snack.

Why Knowing How to End the Day Matters

Without a time clock or office to leave behind, your workday can stretch endlessly and you can find yourself refreshing your email — especially in slow times. When you practice a regular shutdown ritual, you might start to notice:

• You start each morning with more energy and clarity

• You protect yourself from burnout (and the writer’s block that follows)

• You're fully present for your life outside work, your people, your hobbies, your downtime

One of the ways it feels a little easier to “turn off work” at the end of the day? Feeling good about your freelance clients, the work you’re doing, and knowing you’re running your business well.

If you’re ready for high-paying freelance work from clients that know how to pay well, check out this self-directed course on Teachable.

I’ll walk you through the lessons that show freelancers how to earn $100 an hour or more by running their freelance businesses smarter and working with the right clients.

Thank you for being here and reading!

Diana

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What I’m Reading📚 / Listening To🎧 / Writing💻 / Watching 📺

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What I’m listening to: Why a long to-do list is killing your productivity and momentum (Systemize Your Life by Chelsi Jo)

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What I’m (still) watching: Nobody Wants This (Netflix) and Selling Sunset (yes, I love trashy real estate reality TV, too)

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Freelance / Content / Media / Editor/ Writing Jobs I Found

This roundup includes freelance writing jobs, media jobs, FT jobs, creative jobs, and content writing jobs for creatives. Good luck!

• FT role as a news writer for Alternet Media, remote $60k-$65K

• Associate editor for Kane Communications, FT, remote, salary not listed

• Scientific content specialist for Medscape / WEBMD, FT remote

• SaaS Digital content writer for Graphite, remote

• Senior content writer, NFL Fansided, remote

Let’s Work Together!

• Ready to get personalized feedback on your freelance business? I’m now booking November 1:1 coaching sessions, it’s a 40-minute call + an edit of a 600-word piece of your choice. If you don’t see a time that works, just hit reply or email me to find a slot that works.

• Join hundreds who have taken my self-directed freelance online courses to enhance freelance skills and find higher-paying clients. It’s a comprehensive format with video + script copy to help you jump-start your business or take it to new heights.

• Book a sponsored slot advertising in my newsletter in NOVEMBER (Join brands like Morning Brew, Shortform, Fiverr, HUBSPOT, Get Response, Freshbooks, Found, Authory, and more)

• Hire my freelance writing company, DKL Content Services Inc., to help with SEO content writing, ghost writing, thought leadership, and copywriting services. I’m a NY State and NYC MWBE-certified business.