A couple weeks ago, I celebrated my one-year anniversary of working freelance. I find that hard to believe, that I survived one year. I can’t even begin to explain how much I’ve learned, from good accounting practices to marketing myself and a zillion other things I never thought I’d have to worry about. I’ve also learned things about myself, things that maybe aren’t so flattering.
For example, I chronically over-commit myself. Those first few months were horrifying, not knowing how I was going to pay bills, not knowing if I’d land any work, that sort of thing. So I ultimately took on way too much So much, in fact, that I haven’t had a work-free weekend or a good night’s sleep in… about a year. I’m trying to figure out where to cut back and how to fix this situation.
Okay, but – you’re probably wondering – what does this have to do with a dog blog?
Over the last year, Emmett and Lucas barked while I was on conference calls. They had to go out RIGHT NOW when I was trying to meet a crushing deadline. Emmett stared me down at 5:30 every single night, reminding me not-so-subtly that it was time to feed him. And Cooper. Cooper, since he joined our family in November, hasn’t allowed me to complete more than 15 minutes of work in a row without having to pull something out of his mouth, redirect him from chewing on the furniture, rush outside for frequent bathroom breaks (especially in those first few months), and many, many, many other distractions.
Really, they drive me insane because whenever I need to focus, they need to go outside or they need to bark at the poor UPS man or they need… something. My days, especially since Cooper has been here, run in fits and starts.
But without those distractions, how much worse would this last year have been? Without reminders to get up, to move, to take breaks, I probably wouldn’t!
So even though they make me crazy on a minute-to-minute basis, when I consider the big picture, they’re really, truly saving my sanity.
Now, someone please remind me of that when I’m tackling this week’s flood of deadlines…
Tell me: Do your dogs drive you insane? Or keep you sane? Or both?
We are going through a particularly stressful time right now and we come in from work and come into the kitchen to Spike and Dru turning themselves inside out because they are so happy to see us. You can literally feel all the bad stuff floating away! They are incredible stress reducers. And then again, last night when they were barking at midnight, not so much… 🙂
My dogs definitely help with the crazy! Sometimes when I’m ready to pull my hair out I can go downstairs and my dogs will sleepily thwap their tails and flop over for a belly rub. I like what Helen said about the “all the bad stuff floating away.” It’s so true!
My dogs keep me sane for sure! They help give structure to my day, I know they need to get out and walk (I have no yard) and that means I get exercise too. Daisy won’t let me forget mealtime, ever! If 5:30 comes around and she isn’t fed, she starts to let me know.
Aww! Amazing how much good these little fur balls can do for us… without even trying!!
First of all, congrats on getting year ONE out of the way. I went full-time freelance in late 1999, so I know all about the work, the distractions, the worries, the tax burden (have you been through tax season yet … as a self-employed person).
And, yes, I found myself lamenting earlier today at the noise and motion and fussing and distraction from the dogs.
They drive me batty, and yet … they are still the best co-workers I’ve ever had.
Roxanne, I couldn’t agree more! (Well, not about the taxes thing… That’s my big task for this weekend.) I’ll take these guys – and all their distractions – over a cubicle any day!
MayzieMom here. First, I’m so impressed that you’re making the freelance thing work. I keep trying to convince myself to take the leap but…well…I’m terrified! So my hat’s off to you for “livin’ the dream.”
For me, since I don’t work from home, they keep me sane and always remind me what’s really important in life. When the real Mayzie noses me in the leg while I’m working on the blog, it’s a good reminder to rejoin the world and spend time with my pets and my husband. Now, my husband, on the other hand, DOES work from home and he’s had the “barking fit in the middle of the conference call” issue as well. But luckily, most people laugh it off and seem to understand.
I don’t work from home, but my puppy comes to work with me because he’s too little to hold it while I’m gone (and it’s really hard to get a pet sitter at 2am). I haven’t enjoyed work this much in a long time. Even after the Packers won the Super Bowl and work was absolutely nuts, it didn’t seem so bad. I really don’t know what I’m going to do when he’s old enough to stay home… I might just start bringing one of the dogs with me just for the heck of it a few days a week.
Nearly everything in my life is about my dogs, and I simply couldn’t imagine it any other way.
That is such a great photo of the boys all together! My kids most definitely drive me crazy, in a very loving way. The biggest culprit is Scout. As the weather warms up, she loves loves loves playing in the back yard, but she seems afraid she is going to miss something inside so she wants to run in and out constantly. When she doesn’t get her way, I can’t get anything done because she cries and whines and puts that head on my lap with her sweet eyes imploring me to take her out again. What can I do? I have no chance against her cute face and stop what I’m doing to go out – 20 or 30 times a day.
Congratulations Maggie on your one year anniversary!
The boys just know that you are working super hard and they want to make sure you take appropriate breaks for water, snacks and exercise too. I make sure I leap into the office plants, throw dirt, snoop in all boxes and papers, and meow really loud several times per day. This gets my mom up and moving too. xoxox
Oh my gosh, I love the photo of the three dogs together. How precious!
I had to laugh at the barking while on a conference call. I don’t work from home, but have still had that happen on important calls. I laugh now but it sure wasn’t funny at the time!
Congratulations on your one-year anniversary! I can only imagine the difficulty in trying to balance work and your personal life. I hope you’re able to find your groove and be able to enjoy your weekends and get a good night’s sleep!
I cherish the days I can work from home. Glancing over at a snoozing Gus always lifts my spirits. 🙂