How do you Write When You’re Feeling Lousy?

By Dana Prince

I’m sick this week. (I sound a little less today like the Otrivin commercial though, “I hab a bad head code”) It’s not fun to be sick when you can’t really take a sick day. I have deadlines and projects I’m in the midst of, and that’s a drag. All freelance writers and anyone who is self-employed knows that the lack of paid sick days is one of the drawbacks of working for yourself. What to do?

Do Your Best

I am soldiering on as best as possible. A few repeat clients are aware and some have relaxed deadlines. Newer clients don’t need to know unless I have to tell them, either because they want a conference call but I don’t want them to listen to me cough my brains out, or because I need extra time to do something. If you can take a day off, do it. If you can’t, just do your best. Take breaks, and have comforts nearby (tissue, ginger ale, throat lozenges, soup, and fuzzy slippers).

Ask for Understanding

If you’re really ill, you may need to ask for a deadline extension or turn down some projects. While you don’t have anyone to cover for you, you may be just totally unable to finish a project. I can manage (albeit slowly) with my head cold and wicked cough but work tasks, especially creative ones, are taking longer. I am also trying to make sure I carefully proofread because I’m in a bit of a haze. If this were the stomach flu, clearly I wouldn’t be able to work at all. A team member of mine had an allergic reaction to medicine the other day and got put in the hospital so had her spouse e-mail me. Not great, since I’m already pressed for time moving in slow motion but obviously, I couldn’t be upset with her so I have to think my clients are going to be somewhat understanding if I’m in a position where I really just cannot work. If you’re sick and just can’t work, there’s not much you can do but hope your customers will be understanding. They may need to find someone else for the gig. They may be back. Maybe not. If you have a decent track record, most will show some compassion.

Don’t Neglect Your Health

Some self-employed people work themselves into an early grave by neglecting themselves in favour of their business. We all need to remind ourselves once in a while that while it’s great to love what we do, we do need to put ourselves first. Without health, we have nothing — — especially not creativity.

-xo