As much as people may have the 9-to-5, one of the benefits of this work schedule (providing your work does not end at 5 and does not continue with after-work emails) is that you know when 'life' starts again, as it were.

When you leave the office, you're free for the rest of the evening. Assuming you're earning a living from that job, there is not more work you have to do. And when the weekend rolls around, it's a relief since you know you've got Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

On the other hand, being a full-time employee at a company does not mean that your work schedule affords your work-life balance. Many people feel their life is consumed too much by their other interests and priorities. This leads some people to pursue freelancing. As a freelancer, you have the freedom (more or less) to choose when you work, how you work, what work you do, etc.

 

At face value, it may seem that this is the surest way to achieve work-life balance. However, one of the pitfalls of freelancing is that it can be quite easy to neglect the rest of your life - especially when you're just starting out.

Here are some tips to help you find your balance between your freelance and everything else matters in your life. Struggling as a freelancer does not mean you have to give up.

Set a schedule

Without a schedule, it will be more challenging to get your work done. You can remember all your current tasks, projects, and deadlines, but why risk forgetting something? If you miss out on a crucial deadline, this could negatively impact your working relationship with this client; and could even mean you lose that client.

Knowing when the workday starts and ends - and what needs to be done - adds the structure that is necessary to keep your various tasks in order. Without this structure, one's work-related responsibilities can occur when they are not fact to be. And without a clear dividing line between work and life, we can fail to commit our full, untethered attention to either.

Thinking about work when we're out with friends means that we're not present in the situation. Conversely, being distracted by other concerns when we are working - means our productivity will suffer.

But, if you are a freelancer, then why bother leaving a full-time role in the first place? Well, the point is that you can set your own schedule. You could work 9-to-5 one day, work a couple of hours, and so on.

Studies show that giving employees more control over their jobs their well-being. This is why the autonomy that freelancing offers is highly valuable.

Do not be afraid to say no to work

When you're freelancing, you can be tempted to say. Since you do not know how much you're going to make every month, you can not say anything. However, you may find out that the downside of overcoming your life is coming out of the pitfall of earning less and that comes with it.

The goal should be secure, long-term, high-paying, high-quality clients. Ask yourself if you are in progress, or if you are in fact. It may be easier to struggle with.move you towards this goal or if they, in fact, are just weighing you down and overwhelm you. It may be better to struggle by working fewer hours than struggling by working as much as you possibly can.

 

There are ways to deal with the financial worries of the former, such as focusing on maintaining and maintaining relationships with high-quality clients, becoming adept at budgeting and generally adopting a calm and mindful perspective.

But when it comes to the end, if you are in your family and you start saying no to your hobbies, passions, interests and positive lifestyle habits - then the impact on your life dramatic.

It's a learning experience

In a nutshell, you can find healthy work-life as a freelancer when you prioritize work and the rest of your life in such a way that maximizes your well-being. Running out of money or getting out is not going to achieve this.

It really is a continuous learning experience for freelancers to figure out how best to work. In addition, it's likely to be a struggle at the beginning, when you're trying to gain clients, then it's later, when you may have the security of long-term clients.

The challenge of finding work-life balance will not disappear as you become more experienced and proficient in your work. It is crucial to remember, however, that there is always a viable solution to whatever problems arise.

Sam Woolfe writes for Inspiring Interns, which specializes in sourcing candidates for internships. To browse our graduate jobs London listings, visit our website.