FFN #87 I took a nap at 2pm and didn’t hate myself for it.

Hey FF’s,

You know that moment when you're staring at your screen, pretending to work, but really just clicking between tabs like it counts as progress? That was me yesterday.

The to-do list was overflowing. A client was waiting on edits. My inbox was playing that fun game where every unread message feels vaguely threatening. But my brain? It tapped out.

So I did something radical (at least for me):
I closed the laptop. I crawled into bed. I napped. At 2pm. On a Monday.

No gold star. No checkbox ticked. Just… rest. And you know what? I didn’t feel guilty about it. Not this time.

This week’s theme: Rest without permission.

I chose freelancing for the freedom.
Freedom to create, to build, to dream—and yes, to rest.

But somewhere along the way, I started carrying this invisible pressure to always be on. I’d catch myself justifying rest:
“I’ve earned it.”
“I finished everything.”
“I had a huge week.”

Like I needed a receipt to show I deserved a break.

The truth? You don’t have to finish the list to step away from it. You don’t need to be exhausted to rest. And you don’t need anyone’s permission—not even your own overly ambitious inner voice.

My new boundary: Fridays end early.

One thing I’ve started doing is wrapping up at 3pm on Fridays—no matter what. Emails can wait. Ideas can marinate. I light a candle, play a “work is done” playlist, and let the weekend feelings creep in early. Even if I haven’t ticked every box. Especially then.

It’s not always easy. I still feel the urge to sneak in “just one more thing.” But I’m learning that discipline isn’t just about getting things done. Sometimes it’s about knowing when to stop.

Quick check-in: How are you feeling?

Here’s your little midweek mental self-scan:
✅ Did I leave the house today?
✅ Am I drinking water or just coffee?
✅ When did I last move—not for steps, but for joy?
✅ Have I talked to someone not work-related?
✅ Did I celebrate a win before moving on to the next task?

No shame if you’re 0 for 5 today. Been there. You’ve still got time to shift gears—just start with one.

My WFH reset this week:

✨ A completely fake commute. I put on real shoes, grabbed a takeaway coffee, walked around the block, and came “home” to work. Total mindset reset. Highly recommend.

That’s all for today.
Whether you’re booked out, burning out, or somewhere in between—I hope you find a tiny way to soften your day.

💖 FF fav of the week: Wise an easier way to get paid across countries

👀 Creating your personal brand without it taking up all your time

🤸🏽‍♀️ How cute are these mugs 

☕️ Our new go to coffee 

💡 Quick wins to boost your freelance income this month

Logging off with love (and snacks),
The Girls at Freelancing Females

💬 Before you go:
What’s your version of a “turn off” ritual? Reply and tell me—I’d love to include a roundup in a future issue.