Self Employed, Self Isolated, Self Motivated

UV and the whole wide word knows what’s going on right now. We are all in our feelings. If you’re self employed, what’s your motivation right now? UV has asked 4 different creatives how their coping, how it’s effecting their business, how their bouncing back and what number one advice to give during these times…

“At first it was a massive shock and I really didn’t know how to deal with the sudden changes that had to be made but as I’m now half way through Week 2, I feel a lot more positive and things are getting easier. It’s having a big effect on my business as I’m a self employed Fitness Instructor and I go around teaching in different gyms and I also teach kids fitness so I’m always at different schools but with all gyms and schools now completely closed, it’s very hard for me to keep my business going. I’ve decided to do some online classes and I’m really not used to this so each day I’m recording new content. I’m also working out for myself doing yoga, weights in the garden and abs sessions. Along with 1 hr walks with my pup and partner. I’d love for my businesses to be bigger than ever. Keep striving and keep your head up. This will all work out for us”

“Coping is the best way of explaining how I think we are all feeling! Everything is so uncertain so you really have to just take one day at a time. The guidance is changing each day, so all we can do is get by with our new reality. My business was effected over night essentially. I had only been open for around 7 weeks when the national lockdown was announced, so it felt like the rug had been pulled from underneath me. I had a full summer of clients and weddings ahead of me, most of which have sadly now been postponed. I am taking time to create content for my socials and focus on the other areas of my business that I can still work on. I have a small capsule merch line that is helping to keep me busy. I also have the most amazing clients and support of local businesses, which has kept me feeling strong and positive about the future. I think a comeback is hard to plan because none of us know exactly when this will be over. I am making sure I’m keeping inspired and motivated, so that when it’s time to get back to taking clients, I am ready to go. Try and take pleasure in the small things, things that maybe you didn’t have time for to do. For those of us that are in business we are losing a lot of money during this time, so make that loss count in whatever way feels right. Whether that’s strategising for your business or having lie ins until noon, just use the time in a way you wouldn’t have had time to do before and also, don’t take too much notice of what’s going on on social media! It’s so easy to wake up and feel guilty because you’re not on your 3rd home workout of the day! Do whatever feels right and really just take each day as it comes”

“So, to state the obvious, the world is pretty fucked up at the moment and we are ALL a bit off balance. I’ve been a freelance photographer for 20 years and I don’t think that I’ve ever seen anything like what’s going on now and, sadly, we are just getting started.  When 9/11 hit our industry and economy was put on pause for a year or so, it didn’t really effect me badly because I had JUST graduated college but when the crash of ’08 happened that was truly devastating to our industry and to me. ‘08 is the closest analogy I have to what is going on here because the industry and all the money in it was frozen solid. When that happens, you aren’t shooting as much as you want to or need to. In order to get work you have to make work and sometimes it’s hard to make work if you aren’t getting hired. So, what to do? The simple answer for me was/is to just make new work even if you have to force your self to. By doing this you always have fresh work to show and your instincts remain sharp. I always suggest having a close circle of people who can relate to you and what you do. Most of my friends are photographers or artists. They know what bad artists block is and they know the feeling of not knowing where the next check is coming from. Surround your self with people like that…who you can bounce ideas off of and get honest critiques from and also who can buy you drinks when you can’t afford to! That favour always gets repaid in trying times. Having a strong support system is essential. Artists are really tough on themselves and it’s easy to become sad or get depressed. It’s horrible not being hired and sometimes it can seem like there may be something wrong with you if the clients aren’t calling. This can lead to sadness and sometimes depression. That’s a very dangerous spiral and it’s important to remember that it’s the world that sucks at the moment and not you. A good way to avoid that dangerous downward spiral is to keep yourself occupied with making and showing work.

So, to conclude:

– Make and show new work always

– Have a strong support system that you can bounce ideas off of and bum the occasional drink off

– Beware of getting in your own head and thinking that it’s you that is sucking and not the world. Make and show work to avoid this”

“You know it’s so easy to be negative at this time which is completely understandable however I believe things do happen for a reason. In this day in age everyone takes everything for granted and this is a perfect opportunity to appreciate everything and everyone you have in your life. I have the best support system around me that is keeping me positive because this is no ones fault and is also out of our control. I don’t think anyone ever expected this in our lifetime and I can happily speak on every self employed person I know that when we had to announce we were temporarily closing, it broke our hearts. Of course it has effected us, however has it effected my business, yes and no really. I have the most amazing clients waiting for me to post that ‘I AM BACK’ post and it means the world that I know they’re waiting for the come back! I am constantly still active on all social media’s and still posting and still in contact with clients so that’s giving me a lot of motivation. I’m also planning things for future goals which everyone should do anyway to keep positive! I think all my family and friends know how career driven I am with my business and I do not settle for anything less, you have to have it in your mind that you’re building an empire and that never stops! Be positive, be kind and be there for one another. Also STAY INSIDE!”