by Fiona likes to blog | Jul 12, 2021 | Freelance, PODCAST
There are some cracking podcasts for freelancers available online nowadays, but there are sooooo many! How do you know which ones to listen to first? Some are just sales tools and boring self-promotion for marketers or coaches, and others are genuinely helpful with golden tips and amazing advice.
So which are the best podcasts for freelancers? If you’re new to freelancing it’s always super helpful to hear how other people started out, and if you’ve been a freelancer for years it’s nice to know you’re not alone!
Here are my top 5 podcasts for freelancers:
I know, I know! I’m a tad biased, but I think my own podcast about freelance life is pretty bloody awesome. So I’m putting it on this list in case you’ve not had a chance to listen yet! I started the Out of Office Podcast as an accompaniment to my book. You’ll find that I share a lot of my own freelance journey which resonates with lots of freelancers. And I know the podcast and the book have helped a large number of people make the leap from employed to fulltime freelancing!
Since I started recording, I’ve had tonnes of DMs from total strangers telling me how it’s inspired break free from the corporate shackles or to set up as a freelancer on the side. I don’t shy away from difficult topics, like depression and anxiety, and I think you’ll find the tips I share helpful.
Obviously I had to include this as the ultimate of freelancer podcasts, by the multi-hyphenate queen herself, Emma Gannon. This podcast is so good! Emma covers so many topics and speaks to some truly phenomenal humans on Ctrl Alt Delete, from Elizabeth Day and Dawn O’Porter to Joe Lycett and Gillian Anderson.
I love the breadth of her chats with brilliant people covering work, wellbeing & creativity, starting with some questions about work or whatever they might be promoting and then meandering into a whole other – often unexpected – world!
This one is an essential listen for business owners and creatives, with gorgeous deep dive conversations going into the realms of why we do what we do, and the highs and lows on the journey! Ruth Poundwhite interviews the likes of Ravideep Kaur, me, Rabya Lomas and Ray Dodd about our creative lives, and the philosophies and inspiration behind our businesses.
I love hearing how other freelancers fit everything in and use their freedom to create the kind of lives they want. It’s inspiring to know that there IS another way! The way that she focuses on how we’re all connected with each other as humans living life and doing business in a creative way is life-affirming. One to listen to when you’re craving deeper conversations.
Marketing pro Alice Benham hosts this podcast for freelancers and I love it! She speaks with such honesty and openness about her own journey, the highs and lows of running a business, as well as interviewing a variety of freelancers from different industries.
It shines a light on the unspoken parts of being a business owner. Be a fly on the wall for her chats with fellow entrepreneurs and go behind the scenes where they confess their mishaps (I know it’s always reassuring to hear these!). It’s fun, easy to listen to and will give you hope for your business or freelancing life!
This is one I love to listen to when I’m out and about or feeling like I need a sense of community! It’s a podcast for female business owners who want “to work FOR themselves not BY themselves”!
She speaks with lots of women about all things entrepreneurship. The shenanigans that come with running your own business are covered in her chats and of course the trials and tribulations of working from home! It’s given me some great tips about how to stay motivated and on task!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my 5 best podcasts for freelancers and that they give you some listening inspiration!
If you have any podcasts you love that I’ve missed leave a comment below. I’m always on the lookout for new listens! And if you get a chance to have a listen to these, let me know and don’t forget to leave these awesome podcasters reviews! Every little helps and all that, eh?!
You can find me hanging out on Instagram here. Come and say hello! And don’t forget to take a peek at my FREE resources for freelancers.
And if you haven’t nabbed a copy of my book, Out of Office, yet it’s an absolute must for freelancers – especially if you’re new to it all!
by Fiona likes to blog | Apr 21, 2017 | ANXIETY, DEPRESSION
Do you ever feel like you need a holiday just to recover from being on holiday? I get this all the time, and I realised it’s because I wasn’t setting aside time for self-care when I was away. We often feel obliged to cram in as much sight-seeing or partying as possible, instead of actually taking time to rest when we have the chance. If you’ve got a holiday coming up I suggest being mindful of a few things in order to make self-care a top priority…
Fuel your body
Although being on holiday is a great excuse to enjoy a few treats that doesn’t mean neglecting what your body really needs. I love this post from Rachael about how overeating at the weekend can make you feel terrible, and it’s exactly the same for holidays. Eat what makes you feel good (cake and chips, obvs) but also eat what makes you actually feel good (you know… the odd carrot, lettuce leaf and potato).
It’s easy to get carried away with trying everything on offer just because it’s there, but remember that self-care means listening to your body and knowing what it wants. I like to eat a big breakfast otherwise I get hangry and all of a sudden I’m ordering a burrito, fries and planning dessert before I’ve even finished lunch.
I personally find that fuelling my body early with a big bowl of porridge and fruit helps be feel satisfied and mentally ready to start the day without feeling deprived. I also like to avoid alcohol (just my preference, no judgements) and drink lots of water, eat plenty of greens and avoid too much sugar before bed.
Find comfy holiday clothes
Wearing summer outfits gives me the fear. I’m not made to exist in a hot climate, so finding clothes that are appropriate is a real struggle for me. I want to wear long, flowing skirts and little white cotton dresses but the truth is chub-rub is REAL. These thighs were not made to meet on such a regular occurrence.
As much as I’d love to look all flirty and feminine on the beach it’s just not comfortable for me. How can I be expected to catch a break when I’m physically uncomfortable? I say wear what feels right.
For me, that’s loose-fitting harem pants, leggings and big-old denim shorts. Being at ease with your physical self is SO important to allow your mind to unwind, so wear what you want and feel free.
Stay active
You should absolutely take time to catch up on some sleep when you’re on holiday. I remember when we were on our honeymoon, we didn’t make it to the breakfast buffet once the entire week and it was fabulous! Waking up naturally without an alarm is an amazing feeling, but try to stay as active as possible throughout the day to avoid any unnecessary fatigue.
Walking outside is so helpful to keep your body ticking over as well as induce those mood-boosting endorphins. It will also help you get a better sleep in the evening meaning you should naturally rise earlier the next morning.
Plan some alone time
As an introvert, I personally find a week stuck in other people’s company a little overwhelming at times. I crave downtime on my own because that’s how I recharge my batteries and find energy for the next day.
My favourite way to find alone time on holiday is to go to the gym. It’s my own space where I can reflect but still do something productive that I enjoy and I generally leave the gym feeling more energised that when I went in. Weird, right?
I know this isn’t everyone’s idea of fun though, so try and find the thing that works for you. It might be a soak in the tub, a massage or a good hour getting lost in your favourite book. Whatever works.
Have you made a self-care plan for your next holiday?
by Fiona likes to blog | Feb 28, 2017 | ANXIETY
Anxiety is like your worst enemy. It follows you around, lurking behind corners and will creep up on you when you least expect it. Finding time for self-care can be really helpful in offering some sort of relief and it gives you a few useful weapons to help you fight back.
I know after I’ve done a day’s work, a sweaty gym session, scribbled down a blog post and done the fastest food shop in history I rarely manage to do anything other than flop onto the sofa with a bowl of leftovers for dinner. I’m often a jittery mess and find it hard to fall asleep at night.
I’m trying to make a conscious effort though, to stop and take a few minutes out of my day to slow down and check in with myself. If like me you get easily stressed and overwhelmed, then you might find these quick self-care tips easy to fit into your day.
Drink some water
Aaaah, the solution to all life’s problems. Got a wound? Chuck some water on it. Feeling faint? Splash on that water! Annoying boss? Dunk ‘em! In all seriousness though, I find my anxiety levels are greatly affected when I’m dehydrated. I get tired, anxious and cranky and it’s so easily avoided by simply drinking enough water!
Have a shower
I have a love/hate relationship with showering. When I’m depressed or anxious it’s the last thing I want to do. It feels pointless, a waste of energy and frankly just too much to handle. But when I do muster up the strength to jump in for even a minute or two, I have to admit that I always feel better afterwards.
Listen to your favourite song
Music can have such a profound affect on our mood that you should really try incorporating it into your self-care routine. Start by creating a playlist full of uplifting songs and add to it whenever you find a new tune that makes you feel good. My current favourite are Thunder by Jessie J, Moments by Tove Lo and Dancing On My Own by Robyn.
Write stuff down
Sometimes we don’t realise how much is going on in our subconscious everyday. Whether it’s remembering to call someone, make an appointment or look for a new job; these thoughts can play on our minds without us even noticing. Try doing a ‘brain dump’ regularly. This basically means writing down everything that’s on your mind. It’s NOT a to-do list (although it could be used to create one afterwards). Instead just a way to get your thoughts on paper, freeing up your mind to become a little more relaxed and keep anxiety at bay.
De-clutter your space
I love to set a timer for 10 minutes and go around my flat with a bin bag. I throw out all the rubbish, empty the bins and fill a basket of dirty washing. Before I know it I’ve got a wash on, dishes done and I’m dusting and sweeping the whole flat. When my space is cluttered it often plays on my mind and I procrastinate because I just hate doing housework. The 10 minute trick is just enough time to get the basics done and make me feel a little more organised.
Change your bed sheets
For me, good personal hygiene goes hand-in-hand with effective self-care. I love the feeling of getting into bed when the sheets are clean, and it’s even better after a long bath. I try to change my bedding once a week but you can do it more frequently especially if you have pets who like to snuggle.
Read an inspirational blog post
When I feel lost and worried, I like to read about how other people are coping and what they’re doing to learn more about themselves and their mental health journey. I love this post by Grace called Accepting Who I Really Am and this one by Emily on The Pressure of Happiness. Somehow knowing that I’m not the only person with anxiety makes me feel better.
Phone a friend
Living away from home has made me appreciate how important it is to have the right people around you and on call when you need them. I try and surround myself with positive, creative, can-do people who inspire me to do better. It only takes a few minutes to call a friend and catch up, and talking to someone who really gets you can remind you of what you want and what you believe in, things that we often forget when we get caught up in daily life.
Get some fresh air
We all know that getting moving outside is good for our mental health, but so many of us just don’t make time for it. I honestly think that just 20 minutes outside everyday can give you a noticeable boost in energy, especially if you work sitting down in an office for most of the day. I also find it improves my creativity and helps me think through problems without distractions.
What quick self-care tips can you recommend?
by Fiona likes to blog | Aug 15, 2016 | LIFE
Writing about writing; maybe this is cheating slightly when it comes to creating a blog post but writing everyday is a habit that I genuinely have managed to incorporate into my daily life over the past few weeks so I feel qualified to chat about the damn thing. Full disclaimer though – I have been unemployed for the past few months so truthfully time has been on my side. I recently found part-time work and a regular writing gig but I’m confident I’ll still sit down at my laptop at least once a day and not just to check Facebook.
Create a topic list
When I set aside time to write I don’t want to waste the first 30 minutes deciding exactly what I want to talk about. Over the years I’ve created a lengthy list of topics that I refer to as soon as I’m ready to write, meaning there’s little time wasted. I add to this list at least once a day, normally in the form of an actual headline e.g. ‘Real women who inspire me’.
Even if I don’t know what I would discuss in the post, I take note of any catchy titles straight away – no matter what time of the day or night – because otherwise I WILL forget. For this reason I keep the notes on my phone, meaning I can add to this ever-growing treasure trove whenever creativity strikes. Some of the titles might not come to fruition for months or even years, but when I’m ready I have those ideas in the bank.
Use a mobile device
Once I’ve got a few ideas I know I want to work on, I set up a draft post from my laptop and pop in a few bullet points to get me started. Then I will write a brief introduction and to be honest that’s all I do at first. The next time I’m sitting on a bus, waiting for a prescription or on a coffee break at work I’ll open up the WordPress app on my phone and just start typing.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about blogging it’s that the ‘little and often’ approach works for me. A few hundred words over lunch, a few more whilst I’m waiting on the oven preheating and before you know it I have the raw materials of a blog post written just waiting to be edited. I wouldn’t recommend writing an entire post on your phone because it’s tricky to upload photos and check for grammatical errors, but it’s great for stream of consciousness style writing on the go.
Set a timer
I’m so easily distracted by social media that I can have a whole day at my disposal to type up a blog post and get absolutely nowhere with it. However it’s amazing how much I can get done when the clock is ticking. I like to set a timer – normally for around 20 minutes – put my phone waaaay on the other side of the room and close all tabs on my laptop. I promise myself that all I’m going to do during that time is write. Normally I end up totally engrossed, on a roll for another 10 or 20 minutes and finishing an entire piece of work very efficiently.
Identify your wasted time
My ‘little and often’ approach to writing means I look at my day and try and find the times where I’m sitting doing nothing, I’m bored or just have some time to kill. For me it’s normally the 15 minute break I get at work. I sit down with my coffee, grab my phone and before I know it I’ve rambled for a new hundred words on WordPress. Other key times for me are when I’m on exercise bike at the gym, when I’m waiting for my coffee to brew or in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. Once I identified theses times and started utilising them it just became a habit, and now I couldn’t rack up a decent word count without them.
Do you write everyday? What are your tips?
