Poll: My work-life balance as a translator: Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "My work-life balance as a translator:".
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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…
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Alex Lichanow
Germany
Local time: 06:06
Member (2020)
English to German
+ ...
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.
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Paul Adie
Germany
Local time: 06:06
German to English
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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 ... See more 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. ▲ Collapse
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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).
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 06:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
I enjoy my work as a translator. It's what I do. When I don't have any, I tend to get bored.
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Kay Denney 
France
Local time: 06:06
French to English
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.) ▲ Collapse
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Vincenzo Di Maso
Portugal
Local time: 05:06
Member (2009)
English to Italian
+ ...
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... See more 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. ▲ Collapse
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