If I had to choose the common thread that wound through Eda Rosa’s story on this week’s podcast episode, it would be the importance of community.
At the start of the conversation, she shared something that was stunning in its simplicity.
“I don’t do it all. I hire the right people for the right services, I reach out when I need help,” she says. “It’s always really important to stay grounded and true to yourself and understand that you’re not going to be able to do everything, all the time, every time, every single day.”
From what I’ve seen, freelancers are largely an independent bunch. We are so used to relying on ourselves for everything we need that we don’t even consider getting help from others. We trudge through our own taxes and pursue our professional growth alone. No matter the need, we figure it out because that’s just what we do.
Like Eda Rosa, though, I think it’s safe to say that none of us can do everything, all the time, every single day.
This week, I’m focusing on the help within our reach as independent creators. Your support system may not include all of the groups below, but it should be made up of people who care about you and are committed to your success. As you read through these community options, consider who is within your support system and how you can ask for help.
Your loved ones may not be able to help you with work needs, but they are the people who will always be most invested in your well-being. Think about the people in your close circle that respond immediately when you reach out. These are the ones that can help with:
This group shouldn’t include all of your friends and family, just the ones that can consistently be the support you need.
Eda hires a housekeeper to help keep her home in order when she can’t do it herself. She works with other professionals to run her business. We live in an age when the help we need is just an email or text message away. Whether you want to collaborate with someone for a project or make your life a bit easier by hiring an expert to handle some of your to-do list, you can find the help you need if you ask for it.
More importantly, you can seek out other people who can relate to your lifestyle and goals. These groups can help you find better ways of doing things and offer encouragement when you need it. You can start by joining a local or online community of creatives. Networking and freelance platforms are also good places to connect with the people you’re looking for.
Personal relationships are essential for good mental health, especially for people who work from home and/or for themselves. That said, there are many ways to find the inspiration and support we need through content made by people in the freelancing field.
Podcasts such as Per Our Last Email, Hella Latin@, and the Moxie Podcast, for example, all feature real stories from people who have had relatable experiences in both business and life. Even if you’re not conversing with these people, these stories offer valuable lessons and a sense of community you may lack in your work. Most, if not all, of these creators welcome questions and input as well, so you can find the help you need if you reach out.
Community is part of the human experience. If you want to have the bandwidth and ability to do everything you’re dreaming of, you have to take care of yourself first. As my sister told me during our visit this weekend:
“I love you and want you to be healthy and happy.”
And you know what? Because she poured into me this weekend when I asked for help, I can say that today, I am both.
So now I’m telling you: I want you to be healthy and happy. How will you ask for the help you need to get there?
Discover Eda’s full story here, where she talks about the reasons she left a six-figure salary to freelance, how she’s changing the legal industry, and the dangers of negativity bias.
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