A day in the life of.... me!
As a freelance copywriter, I have so many options for structuring my working day. In fact, sometimes too many! It can feel overwhelming.
For a long time now, I have set up routines and structures to ensure I am organised and productive - as well as making time for me!
So here is how I tend to approach my working days.
My approach
My eldest is in full time school but my youngest is in kindy so I usually work 4 days a week.
Exercise is important to me, so I do that first. And then begins the onslaught of demands on me and my time which don't stop until dark!
Working 9-5?
I wish! Ha!
5.30am Alarm goes off - up out of bed wash face and sneak out the door, trying not to wake the kids - eek!
6am I alternate between a gym class or just a brisk walk around the nearby lake, depends on my mood and weather etc. By this point at home the kids are probably awake and running around making enough noise that my husband doesn't need an alarm.
7am Home - my key is barely in the door and the kids are already asking me for breakfast - I convince them to at least let me have a shower first. Hubby is pretty much heading out the door and off for his day.
7.15am Hubby leaves for work and I get kids breakfast. They eat and we chat or they eat and they argue - it really is a lucky dip!
I make a cup of tea and watch a little bit of breakfast news.
This time between 7-8 is absolutely crazy! No matter how much I get organised the night before it ends up being a busy, loud, and stressful time!
My kids can get themselves dressed and make their beds, so I use that time to clean up the kitchen and get myself ready.
I like to get dressed in "work" type clothes - nothing too posh, but smart/casual. It helps me get into the work frame of mind plus I often have client meetings via Skype or I am going to a co-working space etc.
8am I help the kids finish getting ready, we pack bags, grab their lunch boxes (mostly made the night before) and we're off.
9am Depending on if I am working from home or going to a networking event etc I will get organised for the day.
A typical day will include: writing blogs for clients, editing or proofreading copy, creating social media posts, writing website copy for clients, or my own business admin.
I reply to a few emails and check socials.
9.30am Today, I have a quick Skype call with one of my regular clients to go through a few things and check progress on some large projects.
10am I try to work using the Pomodoro Technique. This is a time management method developed in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. I usually set my timer for a bit longer, maybe 55 minutes.
Because of the earlier call, it's now just gone 10am so I set the alarm for 45 minutes and get to work editing a blog a wrote yesterday.
Then I have a 5-10 minute break, grab a glass of water, do a quick house work task (hang up the washing etc), then I am back to it.
11am Social media work for a client with three businesses. I always plan to be at least one week ahead, so I look to next week. I create images in Canva, write copy for the posts, and put aside until later or tomorrow when I will proofread the copy/maybe edit an image etc, then I will schedule them into Instagram and Facebook.
Midday - Lunch at my desk (I know not best practice but I am on a countdown to school pick up) I read some research I've collated to help me write another blog, make another cup of tea.
1pm Today I have a scheduled call with a new lead - a family business looking for a blog writer and help with newsletter content.
Once the call finishes, I put together a quote and proposal, then put it aside to check later before sending on email.
2pm By this point my brain hurts and my eyes too! I might make another cup of tea and watch a bit of news while replying to emails and checking social media etc.
3pm School pick up - I absolutely LOVE that I can be there to pick my kids up from school. It's so nice to see them excited at the end of the day and playing with their friends.
Occasionally they will go one day a week to the after school club which they love so this might become a more regular thing...
Otherwise this is playtime at the park or after school activities such as swimming lessons.
6pm Hubby home, family dinner etc
8pm Once the kids are in bed, I might choose to do a bit more work or just binge-watch a TV series.
Despite claiming I am a morning person, I often do my best work in the evenings. I think it is because I know that the day is done, and I feel a bit more relaxed. Again, another cup of tea is enjoyed - or a glass of wine!
9.30 Bed Zzzzzzzzzzzz
So there you have it folks.
If you'd like to read my old Day in the Life blog, from all the way back in 2018 here is the link! https://www.sbcreations.com.au/post/day-in-the-life-of-a-va