For a long time, I thought being a successful freelancer meant being a machine. I wore my “puyat” nights like a badge of honor. I would post on social media about working late with a big cup of coffee, and I loved it when people commented, “Wow, ang sipag mo naman!” I believed that “hustle” meant working every possible hour you could.

My schedule was crazy. I would wake up, work, eat lunch at my desk while working, and then keep working until late at night. I told myself this was the only way to get ahead. This was the sacrifice I had to make.

The problem was, after about a year of this, I started to fall apart. I was constantly tired, even after a full night’s sleep. I started getting easily irritated with client requests that were totally reasonable. The work that I used to love felt like a heavy chore. I was earning good money, but I was miserable. I wasn’t hustling; I was just burning out.

The Signs I Should Have Noticed Earlier

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It slowly creeps in. For me, it started with a few things. First, I lost all my excitement. I used to feel a thrill when I got a new project, but then I just started to feel dread. It was just another thing to add to my endless to do list.

Second, my body started to complain. I had constant headaches and my back was always sore. I was living on coffee and junk food because I felt like I didn’t have time to cook a proper meal. I was running on empty.

The biggest sign for me was when I started making silly mistakes on simple tasks. My brain felt foggy all the time. I realized that working sixteen hours a day didn’t mean I was producing sixteen hours of good work. I was probably only producing four hours of good work and twelve hours of tired, sloppy work.

How I Found My Way Back

My turning point came when I had to miss a family birthday party because of a “client emergency” that honestly could have waited until the next day. I realized I was sacrificing my real life for a version of success that was making me unhappy. I decided I had to make a change.

It wasn’t easy, but I started setting boundaries. I set a firm “end of day” time. At 6 PM, I would close my laptop, no matter what. The work would still be there tomorrow. I started scheduling real breaks in my calendar, including a full hour for lunch where I was not allowed to be in front of my computer.

I also learned the power of the word “no.” I started turning down projects that didn’t truly excite me or pay well. It was scary at first, but it freed up my time and energy for the clients I really loved working with. I started a hobby that had nothing to do with a screen. For me, it was learning to cook. It helped me feel like a person again, not just a worker.

Here’s the truth: Your clients don’t want a burnt out, exhausted freelancer. They want a sharp, creative, and reliable partner. You can’t be that person if you are not taking care of yourself. True success in freelancing is not about working yourself to the ground. It’s about building a career that can last for years, one that supports your life instead of consuming it.

So please, listen to your body and your mind. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to have a life outside of work. In fact, it’s the only way to truly succeed.