Poll: My work-life balance as a translator:
Autor vlákna: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
PRACOVNÍK SERVERU
Jun 2, 2024

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "My work-life balance as a translator:".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugalsko
Local time: 18:50
Člen (2007)
angličtina -> portugalština
+ ...
Other Jun 2, 2024

It’s difficult for me to speak of balance when referring to freelance work. The reality is that I’m either flooded with work or I’ve nothing to do at all. Anyway, I am perfectly happy with my situation, work sometimes overrides everything else, but I enjoy it. I live alone, my children are grownups, I can do as I please…

Daniel Hall
Luca Adie
Vincenzo Di Maso
 
Alex Lichanow
Alex Lichanow
Německo
Local time: 19:50
angličtina -> němčina
+ ...
Pretty OK Jun 3, 2024

When I was just starting out as a freelancer, I was also still working part-time in project management and my work-life balance was firmly on the horrible side.
Ever since I ditched employment and went 100% freelancer, this balance has largely stabilized - and funnily enough, I have found that the "9-to-5 grind" (more like 7-to-3 in my personal case) is what suits me ideally.


 
Luca Adie
Luca Adie
Německo
Local time: 19:50
němčina -> angličtina
+ ...
Agree with Maria Jun 3, 2024

I often find that I either have too much or nothing to translate, but this works out in the end. The last few months were very, very busy and I'm looking forward to some down time. However, I've been told that a book translation will be coming soon...

I do not want or have children and am fortunate enough to be able to structure my life as I want. I've always been meaning to go abroad for a couple of months and take my laptop - maybe this year is the year!

One annoying
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I often find that I either have too much or nothing to translate, but this works out in the end. The last few months were very, very busy and I'm looking forward to some down time. However, I've been told that a book translation will be coming soon...

I do not want or have children and am fortunate enough to be able to structure my life as I want. I've always been meaning to go abroad for a couple of months and take my laptop - maybe this year is the year!

One annoying thing: I sometimes only find out that there's a holiday when I go out and see that the supermarkets are closed.
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Anton Konashenok
Anton Konashenok  Identity Verified
Česká republika
Local time: 19:50
francouzština -> angličtina
+ ...
Other Jun 3, 2024

It varies, but my ranking of these variants is radically different from poll author's one. In my book:
- having no real schedule is great (I truly enjoy it);
- working all day long and weekends is so-so (tiring but at least it pays well);
- maintaining office working hours sucks (would never go for it).


Dan Lucas
IrinaN (X)
Michele Fauble
Kay Denney
 
neilmac
neilmac
Španělsko
Local time: 19:50
španělština -> angličtina
+ ...
Other Jun 3, 2024

I enjoy my work as a translator. It's what I do. When I don't have any, I tend to get bored.

 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
Francie
Local time: 19:50
francouzština -> angličtina
. Jun 4, 2024

I do not have a real schedule, and it's great, not "so-so".

I work if I have to and I relax when I don't. This might mean working all weekend, then visiting museums and the pool and doing my shopping at times when there are not so many visitors (Monday morning is kinda quiet everywhere). I might stick more or less to an office schedule when I'm working on a big job, but I'll find time to slot fun things in then make up time working earlier or later. My mid-morning jaunt to the dog
... See more
I do not have a real schedule, and it's great, not "so-so".

I work if I have to and I relax when I don't. This might mean working all weekend, then visiting museums and the pool and doing my shopping at times when there are not so many visitors (Monday morning is kinda quiet everywhere). I might stick more or less to an office schedule when I'm working on a big job, but I'll find time to slot fun things in then make up time working earlier or later. My mid-morning jaunt to the dog park is about the only thing I won't change (the dog lets me know just how important it is).

It's the flexibility that I love. I hated twiddling my thumbs at the agency on a Monday morning, only to be inundated with work the next day (the boss didn't want to change my hours even though I made suggestions that would have increased my productivity. I'm done trying to understand the logic.)
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The Shredder
 
Vincenzo Di Maso
Vincenzo Di Maso  Identity Verified
Portugalsko
Local time: 18:50
Člen (2009)
angličtina -> italština
+ ...
too used to change Jun 4, 2024

I am too used to this routine as a freelance translator.

I am not only accustomed to flexible hours but I do need it. I have a child and we barely have assistance a few hours per day. He's going eventually to grow up and go to school but I will need to take and pick him up. Our routine would definitely be incompatible with office jobs.

Having said that, the situation is becoming worrisome. I do have savings and the latest years went by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately th
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I am too used to this routine as a freelance translator.

I am not only accustomed to flexible hours but I do need it. I have a child and we barely have assistance a few hours per day. He's going eventually to grow up and go to school but I will need to take and pick him up. Our routine would definitely be incompatible with office jobs.

Having said that, the situation is becoming worrisome. I do have savings and the latest years went by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately the number of projects is dramatically dropping.

I really don't mind working during weekend and evenings. I am just worried that our workflow will work too much forcing me to apply for an office job in the future.
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The Shredder
 


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Poll: My work-life balance as a translator:






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