How to Manage Freelance Writing Business with Chronic Pain: Tips for Freelance Writers with Chronic Illness

Many people with chronic pain or chronic illness choose the freelance writing path. It’s not surprising. I personally found that freelance writing helps me navigate my chronic headaches,  anxiety, and PTSD. 

In 2018, I had a major health crisis. I still don’t know what happened but for a few months, I was nearly bed-bound. Spoonie life was my norm, but this was new and more overwhelming. They ruled out autoimmunity, Lyme disease, cancer, and all kinds of things, and never got answers. Things got better on their own, but being a freelance writer helped me navigate my symptoms while working part-time and making a part-time living. 

I truly believe that freelance writing is the best work-at-home job if you have chronic pain or chronic illness. Managing your freelance writing business with chronic pain can feel overwhelming for spoonies like us, but I promise, it’s much easier than you think. 

Today, I want to discuss the reasons why I think freelance writing is the best work-at-home job if you have chronic pain or chronic illness. Btw, I think the same reasons apply if you have anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. I will also go over my tips on how to manage your freelance writing business with chronic pain or chronic illness.

Freelancing Writing Is the Best Work-At-Home Job if You Have Chronic Pain

If you are dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness, holding a job can be a challenge. You may consider filing for disability, but there are some issues with that. Getting on disability is really difficult. Getting approval can take many months or even years, and most people with chronic pain and chronic illness don’t get approved. Disability doesn’t pay well. Not to mention that you probably have the desire to do meaningful work, you just need the right environment and some adjustments. 

Looking for a work-at-home job if you have chronic pain or chronic illness seems to be the right idea. In my experience, freelance writing is one of the best work-at-home jobs if you have chronic pain or chronic illness. Why?

Reasons Why Freelance Writing is the Best Work-at-Home Job if You Have Chronic Pain:

• Freelance writing is completely online: Some online or work-at-home jobs or online businesses still require you to go into the office time-to-time, travel to some meetings, or do some offline activities. Freelance writing is a work-at-home job you can do completely online.

• There is almost no upfront cost to start a freelance writing business: Some businesses, including online businesses and freelance jobs, have a lot of upfront costs. Most people with chronic pain or chronic illness have a lot of medical costs. Saving money is important. This is not the case with freelance writing. I honestly believe that you only need a website to start with. Though it’s affordable, you can find free options to build your website. Nearly a decade in, I still only pay for my Squarespace site and the paid version of Grammarly. Okay, if you don’t have a laptop or computer yet, you need one. The good news is that you don’t need the most powerful machine, even a cheap laptop or Chromebook does the job.

• You can work from your bed in your PJs as a freelance writer: Yes, freelance writing is the best work-at-home option if you have chronic pain for the win. You can work from your bed or couch even laying down or cozying up with a blanket and folding desk. There is no need to dress up and wear uncomfortable business attire or heels. PJs, yoga clothes, and a heating pad for the win!

• You are your own boss as a freelance writer: One of the main reasons freelance writing is the best work-at-home job if you have chronic pain or chronic illness is the fact you are your own boss. You set your own schedule and deadlines. You can work on your good days and skip your bad days. You decide how much work you take on.

• You can work part-time hours and make a full-time income with freelance writing: Many people with chronic pain and chronic illness work part-time because they can’t work more. Fortunately, with freelance writing, you can work part-time hours and still earn a full-time income. I told you, freelance writing is the best work-at-home job if you have chronic pain.

How to Manage Freelance Writing Business with Chronic Pain

You are convinced: freelance writing is the best work-at-home job if you have chronic pain or chronic illness. But how do you manage your freelance writing business with chronic pain or chronic illness? Here are my tips:

Create a Workspace that Works for You

Creating a workspace that works for you is my first tip for managing your freelance writing business with chronic pain or chronic illness. No, I am absolutely not talking about those Instagram-perfect, clean, bright, and …err, expensive… home offices. Sure, if that’s your jam and you can afford it, go for it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Living in a one-bedroom apartment, I currently work from my couch and sometimes our bedroom from the bed. I have a desk that I never use. Your workspace has to work for YOU — not for Instagram. Make it spoony-friendly. Do you need more pillows, a weighted blanket, herbal tea, a heating pad, or your favorite stuffed animal? Go for it! Have everything handy you need to feel good (or better).

Work Part-Time and Set Flexible Hours

I’ve said this before. It is absolutely possible to make a full-time living. You are your own boss and you decide how much work you want to take on and what is your turn-around. Creating flexible work hours will help you to navigate flares and bad days and manage your freelance writing business with chronic pain. 

If you are not hustling and trying to work 40+ hours per week, you will have more downtime and more options to skip an entire day if you are not well. Figure out how many hours and how many clients can realistically manage. Avoid overwhelm by not taking on more work than you can.

Determine Your Peak Hours

We all have peak hours. Some people work the best early in the morning (NOT me!)Others are night owls. You may work the best mid-day. You may do better with short sprints instead of 3-5-hour work blocks. You may be the opposite. 

Determining your peak hours and how you work your best is the most important tip for managing your freelance writing business with or without chronic pain. However, if you have chronic pain or chronic illness, figuring out your best times to work can really help you to use your spoons wisely.

Avoid Distractions

Avoid distractions when you are working. Focused time can help with completing your task quickly and saving some spoons for later. It’s easier said than done. ADHD, anxiety, and simply all the fun stuff on the internet will have a say in this. Remove the pressure of perfection. Simply try to avoid distractions. Even if you don’t completely succeed, the removal of any distraction is a win.

Trying the Pomodoro technique can be really powerful. Set your time for 25 minutes (or whatever time you choose) and try to write for that period of time without distractions. Take a 5–10 minute break and do it again. Joining a writing group and writing side-by-side with each other for a certain period of time can be very helpful too. Check out the Shut up and write! groups on Meetup.

Schedule Breaks

Overworking yourself and skipping breaks is the best way to burn yourself out and trigger your symptoms. Schedule regular breaks. Get up and stretch regularly. Drink a glass of water. Nourish your body. Take a walk or exercise if that’s an option for you. Turn on a silly video and laugh. I highly recommend cat videos. 

Make sure you have hobbies and activities outside of your work. They don’t have to be big things. If you like reading, watching movies, doing puzzles, journaling, or coloring that’s plenty enough. But it’s important to have some other interests. It will help to take the pressure off, calm your mind, and boost creativity.

Increase Your Rates

Working part-time hours is my secret to managing my freelance writing business with chronic pain. But how do I do that? By setting my rates right. If you are charging 2 cents per word or $5/hour, you won’t be able to make a full-time income even with full-time+++ hours. 

You have to set your rates right and increase them regularly. Take into consideration your income needs, the hours you are able to put into work, the time needed to complete a certain assignment, your skills and experience, and industry standards. You can learn about how to set your freelance writing rates here.

Work with Long-Term Clients

Working with long-term or retainer clients is a great way to manage your freelance writing business with chronic pain. You won’t have to do constant outreach, but will be able to rely on relatively steady work and money flow. 

If you make your clients happy, they will want to keep you around. This means that they will likely say yes when you increase your price and will be okay if you need to take time off for your health or any other reasons. I recommend checking out these tips on how to avoid feast and famine as a freelance writer.

Stay Connected with Other People

Managing your freelance writing business with chronic pain is not just about your business but you, your personal life, and your mental health too. It can be difficult to stay connected with people when navigating chronic pain or chronic illness, but connection is important.

If you have friends or family to rely on, call them regularly and schedule a time to meet online or in person. Join some groups in your community. Join a writing coworking group. Look for some online groups. There are some great supportive communities on Facebook, both for writers and for those with chronic pain and chronic illness. Seeing other people who are dealing with the same can help you feel less alone.

Closing Thoughts

I may be biased but I absolutely believe that freelance writing is the best work-at-home job if you have chronic pain or chronic illness. Navigating chronic health issues can be a challenge itself, but navigating your business doesn’t have to be. Follow my tips on how to manage your freelance writing business with chronic pain.

Are you interested in creating a sustainable freelance writing business without the hustle? Check out my freelance writing course with a step-by-step process of exactly what you need.

Are you dealing with chronic pain or chronic health challenges? How do you navigate your freelance writing business with chronic pain? Do you have any other tips for spoonie freelancers?