So apparently today is National Freelance Day. To celebrate, I will be spending my time as follows:
10% ‘doing research’ on Twitter in lieu of having colleagues or other grown ups to talk to. Or my own watercooler
10% sending pitches/enquiries/spec CV
8% immediately leaping on any new emails in hope that they are replies to pitches
4% being disappointed
8% checking my ‘junk’ folder because clearly all the replies to pitches must have gone in there
4% being disappointed
1% excitedly answering phone to an unknown number assuming it must be something about work
1% discovering it’s just my daughter calling from a friend’s mobile because she’s out of credit again
2% patronising local independent traders (esp ones that sell really good coffee) in a spirit of self-employed camaraderie
2% thinking ‘I know, I could work in/open a shop’, then talking to independent traders who tell you it’s the quietest time in retail FOR A GENERATION
5% half-heartedly doing bare minimum housework/childcare by default
5% staring. Just staring
6% chasing invoices
7% worrying about money
7% worrying about future
7% wondering why the Hell I thought ‘going freelance’ would be a good idea
3% making tea
1% eating ham from the packet from the fridge plus any random leftovers I can find for lunch
1% going back to the jumper draw to put on another layer to keep warm
3% wondering if it’s too early to start drinking
5% crying
So, much like any other freelance day, then.
3% making tea seems low. And there’s an elephant in the room: shall we call it “surfing the zeitgeist”? Otherwise spot on.