Hitting the wall.

There’s a quote from Bilbo Baggins that I love (unfortunately, I guess)

It’s when he’s talking to Gandalf about how he feels

“…thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.”

You know that feeling?

You’ve been pushing yourself day after day, keeping all the plates spinning, trying to get ahead—until one day, it hits you.

That moment where you realize you’ve been running on fumes for far too long.

Here’s the thing: Most people think burnout comes from working too hard. But it doesn’t. It comes from working hard on the wrong things. Things that don’t really move the needle or give you any sense of progress.

I’ve been there. Those weeks when you’re juggling too many projects, replying to endless emails, and somehow still feel like you haven’t made a dent in your to-do list.

The wall hits harder and harder. Or rather, you hit the wall harder and harder.

So, what’s the way out?

It’s not some magic bullet or productivity hack. It’s about recalibrating.

Slowing down just long enough to figure out what’s actually important.

In my case, it’s been about shifting focus to fewer, more meaningful projects—ones that align with what I actually want to do and where I want to go.

But for you? It might be different. Maybe it’s carving out time to finally launch that side project, or maybe it’s just saying no to things that aren’t in line with your bigger goals.

Either way, hitting the wall isn’t the end. It’s a signal. A chance to pause, reflect, and get back on track.

It’s easier said than done, right? You’ve got clients, deadlines, and bills. It feels like stepping back might mean losing momentum or income.

But here’s the truth: If you don’t take control, you’ll just keep spinning your wheels while your mental, physical, and emotional well-being deteriorates.

Audit Your Workload

Start by doing a real, honest assessment of everything on your plate. Write it all out. Every project, every client, every “quick favor.”

Now look at that list and ask yourself:

What’s giving me energy?

What’s draining me?

What’s actually profitable?

As freelancers, it’s easy to say yes to every opportunity because, well, more work equals more money, right? Not exactly. Sometimes, the low-paying, high-demand clients or the endless revisions are costing you way more than you’re earning.

Set Boundaries

Once you’ve identified what’s sucking your energy or wasting your time, it’s time to set some boundaries.

This might mean firing a client (I know, it’s scary) or simply renegotiating terms.

Maybe it’s limiting your hours or setting stricter deadlines for yourself. Boundaries aren’t just about protecting your time—they’re about protecting your focus and your mental energy.

Prioritize Long-Term Value

One of the best shifts I ever made was moving from one-off gigs to longer-term partnerships with clients who actually align with my goals.

If you’re chasing every small project, you’re going to burn out fast. Look for clients who value your work and see you as a partner, not just a task-doer.

This kind of work pays more, is more fulfilling, and leads to more stability.

Carve Out Time for Deep Work

Busy work kills progress. When was the last time you blocked off a few hours—no emails, no Slack, no distractions—and just focused on deep work?

Those are the hours where the real growth happens, where you can work on your most important projects or build out that new offering you’ve been sitting on.

Invest in Yourself

Freelancers often get caught in the cycle of working in the business, not on the business. But taking time to sharpen your skills or refine your processes is how you move from just getting by to thriving.

Check In Regularly

Recalibration isn’t a one-time event. You don’t do it once and then go back to the grind. It’s something you should build into your routine.

Every few months, do another audit. Ask yourself if you’re still on track with your goals. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to pivot.

At the end of the day, freelancing is all about freedom.

The freedom to choose how you work, who you work with, and how you spend your time. But that freedom can easily turn into chaos if you don’t recalibrate and take back control.

Hitting the wall isn’t failure—it’s a wake-up call. Use it to your advantage.