Becoming a freelancer sounds like the ideal job, being able to work at home, on your own terms and the hours you want.
However, there are certainly some drawbacks every Polish translator will be aware of when it comes to freelancing, including its impact on your social life.
As the workload is constantly varying, there are periods when everything goes quiet for a bit. Although this can seem daunting when you rely on your income to pay the bills, after a while, you begin to realise these are always counterbalanced by much busier periods later on in the year.
When these occur, many freelancers experience such relief and gratitude, it is easy to say ‘yes’ to all the projects being offered.
However, those who have been doing it for a few years will be aware that this can impact their family life and social events if they are not careful.
For instance, someone might need translation for the courts that could take place on a date you were meant to be going to a wedding, a Christening or another important event.
Similarly, you might be asked to provide translation at the last minute for someone in hospital or a police station. In this case, you will not get a lot of notice and you might have to cancel plans immediately.
This can cause problems with childcare, social commitments, and household jobs.
The trick to managing this surge in demand is to be as flexible as possible. For instance, if you have children, it is wise to have childcare back-up, such as a friend or relative who can pick them up from school or clubs.
You also need to make the most of the quiet periods by getting on top of household chores or administrative tasks, so if you have to let these slide for a few weeks, it will not make much difference.
It is also important to remember that if you are really struggling to have a good work-life balance during those busy periods, you can say ‘no’ to jobs.
It is important to stay sharp and professional when translating and present when at home, which may mean turning down projects from time to time.