Reframing approach to freelancing this year

Hi,
I’m a freelance journalist – last year was my first year doing this. And I’ve taken a break over christmas for a few weeks – but also in a way throughout autumn (where I was focussing on a book proposal deadline and did just one new freelance commission, alongside a part-time job).
So now I’m getting started again, and it’s not from scratch I know – actually this time around I have way more experience (and the one freelance comm I did before xmas reminded me of that, because it was so much easier than what I was doing before, so it was very confidence boosting).
But I think I do feel a little scared of getting started again. A part of this reason, is that my first season of doing it was veyr full on – I started freelancing, alongside a new part time magazine job, and was working on a book proposal via a course, all at the same time. It was very exciting, but also too much. And I realised after about 4 months of this that I’d got very close to burnout.
I think this scared me a bit about working ‘too hard’ again – and I’ve had a complex relationship around work historically because of this.
As a result, the way I’m thinking about starting freelancing again is like it’s a runaway train! As soon as I ‘get on’ its going to take me on this all-consuming crazy ride where I have no control and have to go all in, and will not have time for anything else etc.
But this time around, I’d like to find a way of freelancing while taking exquisite care of myself – and still having a life in other ways, socialising, taking care of my health etc. And be more boundaried about it, including having time off and saying no to jobs, to make it more sustainable long-term.
I also know that it’s not the same as last year where it really felt like I was starting from scratch because it was all so knew. Now I already have contacts, good relationships and positive feedback, and plenty of evidence for myself that I can do this! The mag job I’m doing is way more in my comfort zone and has changed to be less demanding, due to the nature of the project I’m on itself. And I finished my book proposal and am taking an intentional pause with it, before continuing as I want to create some more stability for myself, especially financially.
Do you have any tips on re-framing my views on starting freelancing again into something where I feel more in control, safer, and compatible with the lifestyle I want?
Thank you!

 

 

Answer:

What we see here is our brain doing what brains do: fear the unknown.

How can you ground yourself when you notice your brain making up a story that doesn’t serve you?

What tools and assets do you have now that you didn’t before? How can you use the questions you are asking to guide you as you create the life you want?