As with everything in life, there are limits.
Bank accounts have a limit of how much you can withdraw based on how much you actually have.
Credit cards and lines of credit have limits on how much you can borrow.
Your time is no different, and no less precious.
As a freelancer, it can be very difficult to say “No” to anything that involves earning money, only because you’re scared there won’t be a chance to say “No” in the future, when there’s a lull in work.
You wonder if you are able to take on just another project on the side, or save money on one hotel room night by working a compressed 4-day workweek, that consists of 10 hours a day.
The end result is you are stressed out, frustrated, disappointed and not quite on the ball.
You start snapping at people, feeling fatigued, unhappy when you can’t go out for an impromptu event, and your work suffers.
So the question to ask is: Is it really worth this extra money, or savings?
For me, it wasn’t.
I had tried to save a night of travel expenses by working a 4-day workweek while commuting to another city, and at the end of the mere 2 months, I was burned out.
(That, and the work environment at my client was really toxic and stressful).
Now that I’m on a 5-day workweek (a personal decision), where I have time in the morning to wake up, do some yoga and watch a video or two, I’m a lot happier.
The savings were not worth it in the end, because it caused me a lot of stress.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
My husband (currently) drives 140 miles roundtrip daily to work. It’s a huge drain on our finances and personal relationship. So he chose to start working a 4 day work week. He doesn’t mind the long hours on his feet. He’d much rather have an extra day off at home to sleep in, run errands, and spend time with me. My dad also works a 4 day work week (on his feet the entire time as well). I think it just depends on the body’s capability to withstand long working hours and the person’s need/want for an extra day at home. Everyone is different!
But didn’t you like the extra day off every weekend? I would love to try 4 days work week. I don’t know if it will work, but it would be great to try.
I totally agree! I am the worst at saying no. I am known for overbooking my time and my energy. You are right it is not worth it in the end. I think my happiness and smile is worth much more then extra money or getting in that extra workout. I am really trying hard to being less busy and not over doing it. I did quit my second job over a year ago, and now I can’t imagine ever going back to that life.
I think it’s healthier to limit the hours of your life you’re prepared to give to work. After a while it becomes not just a question of time vs money, but also about energy. We would say no to a child who wanted to play with a knife. It’s the same thing, learning to say no to ourselves for our own good. Well done you for choosing a better quality and not just going for the money!