Relationships are probably the hardest piece to put together. When I think about them in the context of my freelance life, considering them as a factor contributing to burnout, I see patterns in several areas – both in personal and professional relationships.
I’ll try to give an overview of these.

Personal life and work are closely intertwined and influence one another. We are who we are, and this manifests in every area of our lives. For example, the difficulty in setting boundaries shows up in both work and personal relationships, although different systems may generate slightly different behaviours.
As freelancers, in this work-relationship dance, we often let others in more than we’d like. We strive to build good relationships with clients, yet frequently give in to pressure and boundary-crossing, driven by the fear of whether the next assignment will come.

Artists, creatives, freelancers – we often work alone. If we start a business, it’s usually as a sole proprietorship, and we continue to work solo without hiring anyone. Yet the responsibilities keep growing: more commitments, more tasks, more decisions.
There’s even a term for it – the solo entrepreneur loneliness phenomenon.
And yes, I’ve experienced it. That sense that everything rests on my shoulders, that it’s too much, and that there’s no one to share it with. But there are opportunities.
Networking groups are great, masterminds are gold. Development platforms, circles, workshops, meetups, and mentoring are all valuable options that I wholeheartedly recommend. I regularly attend business meetings, was part of a networking organisation for years, and continue to seek out communities that offer support and shared experiences.
I strongly recommend these forms of connection with fellow entrepreneurs. They ground you. You can find like-minded people who truly understand what freelancing entails.

We are social creatures. We need nurturing relationships like we need air. We long to feel needed, seen, loved. We crave acceptance, understanding, care, safety, respect, and recognition.

Having “your people” – those with whom you share deep, sincere friendships – is essential. People in front of whom you don’t have to pretend. With whom you can cry and celebrate, rage and dream. Who are attentive and curious about you – and to whom you offer the same. With them, you can celebrate successes and mourn failures together. This kind of connection is a powerful foundation that helps us endure life’s difficulties.

In therapy – which I still attend – I’ve explored the theme of persistent loneliness, even within relationships, a feeling I’ve known since childhood. Alongside this came an anxious attachment style.
Quite the combo – and it had a profound impact on how I functioned in private relationships, and it echoed in my professional life as well. This is a deeply personal and expansive topic, so I’ll leave the details private.
What I will say is that a lot has changed. I’ve learned about the root causes, the mechanisms, the dynamics. I’m learning to respond appropriately and assertively, respecting my own boundaries – no longer willing to overreact or self-abandon.
It’s difficult work, because people around me react. My “no” may come as a surprise, and stating my needs and expectations can cause even more confusion.

In a podcast, Filip Cembala said that in close relationships – friendships, partnerships – we have the right to expect.
To expect attention, interest, support, care. And I agree.
The closer we are to someone, the more we want to both give and receive. We want to feel the fullness of the bond.
I now know that asymmetrical relationships are no longer for me. Not in the sense of tracking what each person contributes, but in no longer feeling like I’m filling the relationship – both for myself and for the other person.
As my therapist says: there should be movement on both sides.
I take responsibility for how things were – because I allowed certain behaviours and attitudes toward me.

I’ve spent the past few months mostly in my own company. I started by focusing on my relationship with myself, because I was on the verge of losing confidence in who I am. I needed peace and quiet to reflect on what was changing and emerging.
Although I couldn’t completely avoid the sense of isolation and feeling on the sidelines – especially since I used to be very social – I felt the need to turn my attention inward.

In business relationships, I value honesty, openness, respect, good communication, and a partnership approach. Add to that my perfectionism (yes, I’m working on not letting it hold me back), my love of quality and organisation – and I deliver, also on a values level. I can’t imagine doing it any other way, and I have no intention of compromising in this area.
For years I’ve said that I’ve been lucky to work with fantastic clients. Apparently, I’ve attracted people with similar values and qualities, which made collaboration smooth and rewarding.
Were there any rifts or difficult situations? Of course. I don’t think it’s possible to avoid them entirely.

So what about situations like these?
A client tries to blackmail me: “Do it for six hundred, or I’ll go with someone else.” Another fails to respond to messages or phone calls, even as a deadline approaches and important matters remain unresolved. One secures a deadline but doesn’t confirm the project until the very last minute, despite my repeated requests.
Or – perhaps the most painful – a long-term client disappears without a word. That last one stings the most, because long-term collaboration is rooted in relationship. So what happens that makes someone forget even the basic courtesy of saying “thank you for your work”?

What’s most important for me now is improving communication grounded in my values. Clearly setting boundaries when I feel they’re being crossed. And establishing the inner awareness that I am responsible only for myself – not for others’ behaviour.

Freelancers, artists, creatives – we endure a lot. The fear of dry spells is always in the back of our minds. The uncertainty generates tension and bitterness when, out of fear, we accept being disrespected, underpaid, or poorly treated.
I recently read about a photographer who hesitated to confront a client who had used his photos without paying – even removing the watermark – because he feared that the conflict might harm his reputation and scare away future clients.
Really?
Would anyone hesitate like this if someone stole a bike from their building’s storage?

I’m filing away the times I turned a blind eye to boundary-crossing. That drawer is labeled past. And this applies to relationships across the board. I’ll probably keep practicing this process – sometimes better, sometimes worse – because it’s not a one-and-done thing. But my ongoing, conscious work with emotions, beliefs, and behaviours will certainly lead to better quality in my relationships.
I believe both sides will benefit. And I feel a sense of relief.

May 2025

Articles in this series can be found under the category “burnout in freelancing”.