Empowering Your Career: Tips for Freelancing with Chronic Illness

Managing a career while living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is hard.

I might even be underselling that. At times in my life, it was darn near impossible to manage the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and be a productive student or employee. As a matter of fact, it was the intersection of employee/nursing mother/wife/homeowner/person with a j-pouch that finally sent me into a full-time freelance career. It was much better for me (and everyone around me).

But can anyone do it?

The Challenges of Traditional Employment with IBD

Maintaining a traditional full-time job when living with IBD is difficult. The unpredictable nature of the disease can make it challenging to adhere to the rigidity of a 9 to 5 schedule. This can wind up causing stress and potentially even flare-ups.

Some of the main challenges include:

Unpredictable symptoms: IBD symptoms are erratic, making it hard to commit to a fixed schedule.
Workplace accommodations: Not every employer is understanding or accommodating of chronic health conditions.
Stress and health: The stress and demands of some work roles might even exacerbate symptoms.

The Benefits of Freelancing

Freelancing is a viable alternative for people with chronic illnesses. It offers flexibility and control over one’s schedule. Jen shares her journey to freelancing, describing how this shift allowed her to better balance work, health, and family life.

Key benefits of freelancing include:

Flexible schedule: Freelancers can set their own hours, allowing them to work when feeling their best.
Work-life balance: Being better able to manage work around health and family responsibilities.
Control over workload: Freelancers can choose projects that align with their energy levels and health status.

Setting Boundaries with Clients

One of the most crucial aspects of freelancing, especially for those with chronic illnesses, is setting clear boundaries with clients. Jen offers several tips on how to effectively manage client relationships:

Communicate availability: Be upfront about your availability and any health-related limitations.
Negotiate terms: Remember that clients are partners, not bosses. Negotiate the terms that work for everyone.
Avoid overcommitment: Avoid committing to more work than you can realistically handle, especially during unpredictable health periods.

Identifying Marketable Skills

People with chronic illness have so many skill sets! The trick is knowing what they are and how you can use them to your advantage.

Here are some steps to help you identify your strengths:

Self-assessment: Reflect on your past experiences and identify skills that you excel in.
Feedback from peers: Reach out to friends and former coworkers for feedback on your strengths. Yes, scary, but also helpful!
Research: Utilize resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to understand the skills needed for various jobs.

The Abundance Mindset

Jen shares her belief that there are always more opportunities and clients available, which can help with the fear of scarcity that many freelancers experience.

Key points include:

Positive outlook: Keep a positive outlook and believe in the availability of opportunities.
Avoid low-paying gigs: Don’t settle for low-paying jobs or difficult clients; better opportunities are always on the horizon.
Flexibility and adaptability: Embrace your flexibility and adaptability as key parts of long-term success.

The Role of Community

Building a supportive community is essential for freelancers, especially when managing chronic illnesses. Networking and fostering relationships within professional circles is important.

Here are ways to build community:

Referrals and collaborations: Freelance gigs can come through referrals from friends and colleagues.
Supportive network: A supportive network can provide emotional and professional support.
Reciprocal support: Helping others often leads to their willingness to lend support in return, creating a positive cycle.

Feedback and Personal Growth

Receiving and acting on feedback is crucial for personal and professional growth. Constructive criticism is important.

Here’s how to handle it:

View feedback as growth: Feedback is an opportunity for improvement, not a personal attack.
Seek honest feedback: Have trusted people in your circle who can provide honest and constructive criticism.
Be open to change: Embrace change and be willing to adapt based on feedback.

Tools and Resources for Freelancers

Jen shares practical tools and resources that can help freelancers manage their work more effectively.

Here are some recommendations:

Time-tracking apps: Tools like Toggl can help you keep track of your time and manage your workload.
Project management tools: Platforms like Trello can help you organize and prioritize tasks.
Productivity techniques: Methods like the Pomodoro technique can enhance focus and productivity.

Conclusion

This episode of “About IBD” offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in balancing a career with the challenges of living with IBD. With the right tools, support, and mindset, it is possible to thrive in both work and life, even when facing health challenges. Setting boundaries, maintaining a positive outlook, building a supportive community, and being open to feedback are all important parts of managing a career and health.

For more insights and resources, be sure to explore “The Job Hopper,” a Substack community co-founded by Jen Hubley Luckwaldt, which provides job search content and career advice to help people succeed in their careers.