Taking a Break from Freelance Writing: Rediscovering Myself

For three years, I lived and breathed freelance writing. For three years, freelance writing was my entire world. Deadlines were always with me, coffee was my go-to, and creativity was my lifeline. It was a rewarding journey, but somewhere along the way, I lost something important—Myself. So, I made a decision that wasn’t easy but was necessary: I Took a Break.

Yes, you heard that right. I decided to step away from the hustle, hit pause, and focus on reconnecting with what truly mattered to me.

In this post, I want to share why I hit pause on my freelancing career, what I discovered about myself during this time, and why, sometimes, stepping away is the best thing you can do for your growth and well-being.

“Sometimes, hitting pause is just what you need to hit play on finding yourself again.”

Before we get started, check out my post on the truth behind common misconceptions new bloggers have—you’ll find it here.

The Unseen Toll of Hustling

Freelancing comes with many perks—flexibility, freedom to choose projects, and the joy of working from your favourite corner of the house. But it also comes with challenges that aren’t always visible from the outside. The constant hustle to secure clients, the pressure to meet deadlines, and the need to consistently produce high-quality work can be exhausting.

Over time, the line between work and life blurred. I was writing all the time—sometimes even in my sleep. My mind was a constant whirlwind of ideas, pitches, and drafts. I started missing out on the little joys of life, those moments of stillness that let you be without the ticking clock of productivity in the background.

It wasn’t just burnout; it was a slow erosion of the boundaries I had once set to protect my mental and emotional well-being. I realized I was sacrificing myself for success, and it was time to stop.

The Decision to Take a Break

Deciding to take a break wasn’t easy. There was the fear of losing momentum, of becoming irrelevant in a fast-paced industry where you’re only as good as your last piece. But deep down, I knew that continuing at the same pace would lead to more harm than good.

I needed to reconnect with the person I was outside of my work—someone who loved reading just for fun, who enjoyed long walks without worrying about word counts, and who laughed freely without thinking about the next deadline. I needed to rediscover my passions outside of writing to remember what it felt like to live fully and authentically.

Rediscovering Myself

Taking a break was like stepping into a fresh breeze after being cooped up in a stuffy room. At first, it felt strange not to have a packed schedule or a long to-do list. But slowly, I began to enjoy the space I had created for myself.

I finally hit the gym, something I’d been dodging forever. I also revived some old hobbies—gave gardening another shot (still a challenge), and caught up on movies and series I’d been missing out on. I finally found time to watch movies and series I had missed and read books purely for pleasure. I also spent quality time with friends and family, fully present, without the constant thought of “I should be working.

Most importantly, I began to listen to my inner voice again—the one that the constant noise of deadlines and deliverables had drowned out. I allowed myself to dream again, to imagine new possibilities without the pressure of turning them into projects.

Lessons Learning Along the Way

Now, what would a self-discovery journey be without a few quirky lessons thrown in? Here are some tidbits I picked up along the way:

1. Coffee tastes better when you’re not chugging it to meet a deadline. Seriously, savor it! Make it a ritual, not a necessity.

2. Plants are forgiving… mostly. I’ve killed more than a few, but it turns out they’re pretty resilient if you just give them a bit of love and attention (and water… lots of water).

3. Not all books need to be finished. I used to feel guilty about not finishing a book, but now I realize it’s okay to put down something that’s not bringing you joy. Life’s too short to read bad books.

4. It’s okay to say no. This might seem obvious, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. Saying no to things that drain you makes room for things that uplift you.

5. You are not your work. This was the biggest lesson for me. Your value isn’t tied to what you produce. Sometimes, the most important work you can do is to work on yourself.

Moving Forward

As I move forward, I’m taking these lessons with me. I’m more mindful of how I spend my time and energy. I’m kinder to myself when things don’t go as planned. And I’m more open to change, knowing that it’s okay to evolve and that sometimes, taking a step back is the best way to move forward.

If you’re feeling the world’s weight on your shoulders or the burnout creeping in, I encourage you to take a break. It doesn’t have to be long, but give yourself the space to breathe to rediscover who you are outside of your work. You might be surprised at what you find.

Wrap up:

Taking a break from my freelance writing career was one of my best decisions ever. It allowed me to reconnect with myself, find joy in the little things again, and approach my work with a fresh perspective. Consider this your gentle nudge if you’re on the fence about taking a break. Your work will be there when you return, but the opportunity to reconnect with yourself might not.

Here’s to me taking breaks, catching my breath, and rediscovering myself—one self-care routine, coffee break, gym session, and book-loving moment at a time.

Thinking back, I’ve learned a ton since my first year of copywriting. Want to see what I discovered? Check out that post here.