Mar 15
Freelancers Should Get Out of their Pajamas … Except Today
Posted by kathrynv at 8:40 am in writer's life
I almost didn’t get out of my pajamas on Friday. I lingered in bed for awhile, doing some of my work there from my laptop. I moved to the living room for awhile and worked on my computer. I went back to bed and did some reading that I was able to justify as research for an article that I was working on.
This is the kind of life that my friends say that they envy. They always say that if they could work from home like I do then they would never get out of their pajamas.
Usually, I disagree with them. I think there are a lot of good reasons for freelance writers to get up, out of bed, showered and dressed at the start of each day. Some of the reasons that I do that include:
- I feel better about myself. Maybe some folks feel comfy and cute in their pj’s. I prefer to wear cute clothes. I feel better about the way that I look if I’ve put on something besides what I slept in.
- I feel better emotionally. The days can really blend into one another too much if you don’t separate them with basic rituals like showering, dressing, changing into pj’s at night. When this happens, I just don’t feel good.
- Getting up marks the start of my work day. I do linger in bed each morning. It’s a luxury I enjoy. I read, I journal, I answer email. But when I actually get up, my day has begun. I’m ready to work. Or sometimes I’m not ready but getting up helps to signal my body and mind that it really is time.
- It’s good to be able to leave the house at the drop of the hat. There are times when you need to get out and interact with the world even if that means just doing your work at the local coffee shop or co-work space. It’s a lot easier to do that when you’re already ready to go.
So, if that’s what I believe, then why did I stay in my pj’s all day on Friday even though I was at home working? Well, because being able to change your routine is one of the joys of being a freelancer. It was rainy and gross out, I had showered at night so I wasn’t in desperate need of a shower and it felt perfectly right and cozy to stay in my pajamas and do my work that way. For me, this is a treat that I get to indulge in now and then which is exactly what I love about being a freelancer.
In much the same way, I think it’s important as a freelance writer that you stick to a schedule. However, one of the best things about this job is that you can change that schedule as needed. For me, usually being on a schedule but then getting the chance to do something mid-day that wasn’t planned is another treat.
I’m not saying this is right for everyone. Some people probably love to work in their pajamas every day and that suits them so that’s what they should do. As for me, though, I think it’s important to act more like I’m going to a real job every day. Except on the rare day when it’s perfectly right not to do that!
Freelancers Should Get Out of their Pajamas … Except Today has 3 Comments
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March 16th, 2010 at 5:29 am
There are certainly benefits to having the option to stay in your PJs all day. Most of the time I am like you – I have to get dressed and get ready for the day if I am going to do my best work.
But when I am poorly or it’s a nice day out (like today…) it’s good to change things a little too. My usual schedule involves working in my home office. But during the summer I sometimes move out to the garden for a couple of hours instead. Why not?
March 16th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I work for home and I perfectly understand the many benefits of just changing your routine whenever it suits you. I don’t mind PJs, comfy clothes or cute clothes when I work. It depends on the day, but getting out of bed and cleaned up certainly gets me in the mood to work
While what I wear is of less importance, getting out of bed is what triggers the right mind set. I sometimes work in bed, but I find it makes me a little less productive. it’s good for writing online magazine articles, blog posts and answering emails, but I need a desk or at least a table for other types of work. Otherwise I just become extremely lazy 
And yes, the very best part about my lifestyle is actually getting to do what I want when I want it. If I want to work from 5 am till 10 am and then go out for a walk, I can
If I decide to just have a 3 hours lunch break, again, I can. Well, I sometimes can actually, but those out of the ordinary moments make it all worth it 
May 11th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I feel the same way. In order for me to be the most productive, I have to get out of the house and force myself into a public place where I know people are secretly judging my every move…
It may be my catholic upbringing, but shaming myself into working this way has worked fairly well. And in the spirit of openness…god forbid I wear a loose fitting shirt.
I don’t mean to be so crazy.