PostieDay 20 · 19 September 2026
Chapter 1 · 15 days to the chapter deadline
- Day Off - Reflections
While I'm under no obligation to post here I think it's worth stating what I was doing at the time. When I look back at this I'll be able to see these words and reflect on them... maybe they'll be helpful for others too.
I've been working so hard (both on this project - and other work yesterday) that it has actually been so long since I've taken a break/day off. I realise that even though I love what I do both in current "paid work" and these other projects sometimes you need to give yourself actual time off... otherwise you never really rest and risk burn out...
Reflecting on what happened yesterday (writing this the day after) I felt both restless and guilty. Working for yourself means that if you're not working you're not making money so there's always that tension. However, this also means that I never really take a break... and i never do things not related to my work that if I'm not careful can lead to some negative loops of wake, work, sleep with no "rest" in the middle.
Living with another freelancer (currently between jobs) I see the restlessness in her and I think if I don't make an effort to break the cycle for myself and her then we're going to be negatively influencing each other. I know that when I try to rest I see her still working and that makes me feel lazy so I continue to work. It's a negative feedback cycle.
I see rest as not "doing nothing" but "doing something else". Like a hobby. I love watching movies. So I did that. Watched 3 of them (one at home, then the cinema then another one) It was nice. It was needed. I feel refreshed. It just prooves that sometimes having a break and "resting" makes you more effective than trying to power through and working yourself down working continuously for days and days at a time.