The life of a freelancer brings with it a multitude of benefits. Especially in the current climate. At a time 

when we’re al;l getting accustomed to the mixed blessings of working from home, managing our time 

effectively and getting the most out of every day, we’re all picking up (whether we’re aware of it or not) 

the skills that make for a happy and rewarding career in self-employment. Why wait around for crumbs 

from the corporate table when you can seek out your own opportunities on your own terms? Why 

endure the inequities of corporate wage repression when you can take your skills directly to your 

clientele? Why wait for an opportunity to be promoted when you can increase your income in direct 

proportion to your hard work and endeavor? 

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But, of course, if life as a freelancer were easy, everyone would be doing it. You’ll need to establish a 

framework for consistent productivity. And without the safety nets that most salaried people take for 

granted like sick pay, paid leave and a regular fixed income, your ability to live and eat will depend on 

remaining consistently productive. And while we’ve already talked about some essential tools for 

freelancers, we also need to talk about the freelancer’s friends. The productivity pals. The little things 

that could make a big difference in enjoying happier, healthier and more productive working days. For 

instance…

Your windows

Natural light is such a relatively tiny and simple thing. But it can make a huge difference to your working 

days. The presence of natural light can make you feel calmer, happier, more energised, more creative 

and better able to focus. Is there any wonder why it’s called the “number one office perk”? So do all that 

you can to keep them nice and clean and streak-free. What’s more, if your windows have a view of your 

garden you get the added benefit that comes from being able to see plants and trees. Which brings us 

to...

Your garden

Don’t make the mistake of trying to plough through your workdays as quickly as possible. Inevitably 

you’ll get tired, you’ll get frustrated and your work days will actually be longer. Instead, try and space 

short but meaningful breaks out throughout your day. And, where possible, you should take them away 

from your computer and desk. Spend a little time in the garden. Breathe fresh air and spend time with 

plants. Relax in privacy with Taxus Baccata by Hedgeplants Heijnen and other awesome hedge plants. 

Breathe the subtle perfumes of nature. Maybe even take a moment for some mindfulness meditation. 

You’ll return to your desk feeling happier, lighter and more rejuvenated.    

Your kitchen 

You can’t be consistently productive if you’re chomping down chocolate bars and chugging back coffee 

after coffee. All this will create is dips and spikes in your energy levels as you ride the caffeine and 

sugar high, only to come plummeting down later. Your kitchen could be your greatest aid in the battle 

for productivity when you use it to prepare healthy meals and snacks. Nuts and seeds, green and 

criciferous veggies and berries are all great foods for keeping your mind sharp and preventing the belly 

grumbles that can derail your productivity. 

We are spending more time online than ever. With many people spending the majority of their waking 

hours at home due to the pandemic, new opportunities to make money and pursue career options have 

emerged. Whether you’ve lost your job recently, your workload has decreased, or you’re keen to 

 follow a new path, here are some options you can pursue online. 

Trading

Trading has become increasingly popular due to increased accessibility via online platforms. In days 

gone by, you had to be a professional trader to get involved, but today, almost anyone can give trading 

a go. Before you lay out any money or make any transactions, it’s crucial to do some research, read up 

on different types of trading such as share CFDs and get a feel for how different mechanisms work. It’s 

also important to ensure you are aware of rules and legal restrictions. Make use of demos, explore 

different sites and consider working with a reputable, trustworthy, experienced trader if you’re a 

beginner. Trial versions enable you to see how things work before you part with any money. Trading is 

a popular side hustle because it’s a flexible means of making money that can fit in with existing 

commitments, but there is potential to turn a hobby into a full-time job. 

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/blur-chart-computer-data-finance-1853262/

Writing

Blogging enables anyone to be a writer, and it’s a great way to explore subjects that interest you, to 

engage with others online, to raise issues that matter to you and to generate an income. Writing can be 

cathartic, but it can also be lucrative. If you enjoy writing, you have a talent, and people seem to 

respond well to what you have to say, it’s worth considering trying to monetize your new hobby. You 

can start discovering income streams such as sponsored adverts and affiliate links, or you could 

advertise your skills to benefit businesses or other bloggers who are looking to enhance and diversify 

their content with guest and contributed posts. Building a following is key when trying to establish a 

successful blog and promote growth. Define your target audience, create original content that will 

appeal to the readers you’re looking to attract and take advantage of opportunities to build virtual 

networks on social media. 

Image by https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-typing-on-a-laptop-1181208/

Coaching and consulting

Many people have used the unexpected break brought about by the Covid-19 crisis to develop new 

skills and learn. If you have qualifications, skills and experience, you could use them to boost your 

income and create new career options. If you can speak a foreign language or play an instrument, or 

you have expertise in digital marketing, accounting, web design, life coaching or personal training, for 

example, you could coach online, run webinars and produce course content and learning resources or 

offer virtual one-to-one or group sessions. 

Picture courtesy of https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-writing-on-notebook-4145190/

Statistics show that we are spending more time online than ever. Surfing the web isn’t just about 

whiling away the hours and checking what is going on in the world. It can also open doors in terms of 

new career paths and opportunities to utilize your talent, knowledge, skills and experience to increase 

your income. 

 Bioderma este brandul descoperit in facultate de la care am avut cele mai multe produse pentru ingrijirea pielii si a tenului, si caruia i-am ramas fidela si acum la 29 de ani. Am multe produse, de la diverse branduri insa macar un produs Bioderma am mereu in colectie.

Primul produs recomandat multor prietene este Lotiunea micelara Bioderma Sensibio H2O - cel mai bun si bland demachiant din cate am avut. Cei de la Bioderma au inventat solutia micelara si sincer, desi am perioade cand folosesc si alt brand, tot aceasta este preferata mea. Gasesti aici un review mai detaliat. Este perfecta pentru tenul sensibil,curata perfect machiajul fetei,buzelor, ochilor, chiar si pe cel rezistent la apa, deci daca inca nu ai gasit demachiantul care sa ti se potriveasca, merita sa ii dai o sansa, mai ales ca acum are reducere 26% pe notino.

Al doilea produs din topul preferintelor mele Bioderma este gelul de dus Atoderm. Curata bland pielea, este formulat fara sapun si este hipoalergenic si este recomandat si pentru copii si sugari. I-am facut un review mai detaliat aici. Review-ul este din 2012 insa imi mentin parerea despre produs si acum.

Al treilea produs preferat este crema de maini Bioderma Atoderm Cream Hand & Nails. Folosesc zilnic dezinfectant pentru maini, ma spal des si pielea de pe maini uneori are de suferit. Aceasta crema mereu ma salveaza, hidrateaza intens, este hipoalergenica si nu lasa pelicula grasa deoarece se absoarb rapid in piele. Vine si sezonul rece cand este necesar sa folosesc zilnic crema de maini, asa ca am deja cumparate doua, una o folosesc acum si una de rezerva.

De obicei imi cumpar produsele Bioderma de pe notino pentru ca fac comenzi des la ei, in perioada aceasta gasiti multe branduri cu produse la reducere de pana la 25% , si Bioderma este printre ele.

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If your garden is a little on the small side, there are plenty of ways to maximise the space available and 

create a stunning outdoor idyll. By using the architectural features of your property, the natural light and 

an array of plants, any outdoor space can be turned into a spectacular garden. To learn how to 

transform your small garden into a space you can enjoy, take a look at these top tips now:

1. Look upwards

If you don’t have much space on the ground, why not go vertical? Trellises and climbing plants create 

the illusion of space and enable you to enjoy a selection of blooms without taking up much space. 

Planting climbing shrubs close to walls or fences give you a natural backdrop to work with and means 

you can incorporate even more features into your garden.

2. Keep trees well-maintained

If you have large trees planted in your garden, they might be taking up quite a bit of space. Furthermore, 

they could be blocking natural light from entering your property. With professional tree removal, however, 

you can clear the space and get more of your garden back. Alternatively, keeping trees well-maintained 

and cutting them back regularly can help to minimise the amount of space they take up and prevent them 

from blocking the light into your property.

3. Create a raised seating area

Adding a raised patio or deck to your garden instantly makes it feel larger. In addition, it creates a 

dedicated seating area for you to enjoy. Being able to spend time in your garden essentially creates 

another ‘room’ in your property and enhances your living environment. As well as looking great, a raised 

seating area will enhance the functionality of your garden and make it somewhere you want to spend 

time.

4. Incorporate lighting

Installing lighting in your garden will certainly make it feel larger in the evenings when you can spend 

more time outdoors. Battery or solar-powered outdoor lights are ideal for gardens, as they can withstand 

the weather and don’t require any wiring. What’s more – your garden can be safer and more secure 

when you have lighting installed.

5. Go underground

If you really want to make the most of your garden, why not see what’s beneath it? The latest trend for 

small gardens involves building sunken playhouses and trampolines for youngsters. If you want to turn a 

small garden into a family-friendly play area, this is definitely the way to go. However, do be sure to get 

expert assistance before you begin any work. Creating sunken features can be a great way to maximise 

space but it’s potentially dangerous if it isn’t done properly.

Make the Most of Your Garden

Planning ahead gives you the chance to make the most of your garden, regardless of what size it is. By 

choosing those plants that bloom all year round or installing features you can enjoy at any time, you can 

ensure that your garden is always the perfect place to be.

Becoming a freelancer is an easy decision. You can start on your own time and even make it a safe side hustle to your full-time job.

However, when you decide to turn the freelancing fun into an income-generation career, you need to be prepared to make some 

essential changes. 

You can’t succeed as a freelancer without basic skills. Being an expert in your field is crucial. But that’s not all. Freelancers exist 

in a unique professional constellation where they need to become a marketer, salesperson, PR representative, and strategist – on 

top of their day-to-day activities. Yet, having the right skills to turn your venture into a profitable freelancing business can only get 

you so far. You also need the right tools. You may be thinking about laptops and ergonomic desks, but these are not the only 

freelancing tools you’ll need. 

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Your trusted eye care accessories

As a freelancer, you’re likely to spend an extensive amount of time reading documents on screen. Screen work is a typical part of 

every job. For freelancers, however, the standard working hours don’t apply. As you launch your venture, you may find yourself 

working longer hours and putting your eyes through a lot. If you’re going to avoid pesky headaches and eye strain, you may want 

to invest in a pair of screen glasses. If you already need a corrective eyesight prescription, it can be a good idea to alternate 

between glasses and contact lenses – or to make sure you’ve got the right correction for your eyes. For Zoom meetings and 

face-to-face interactions, elegant frames can do all the talking for you! Don’t want to break the bank? Take a look at this website, 

which has an overwhelmingly positive review from customers. Designers’ glasses at a fraction of the cost? Yes, please! 

That professional bag that’s got success written all over it

A freelancer needs to work from a variety of places, including your client’s office. In other words, you need a laptop bag you can 

trust. As tempting as it might be to grab a rucksack and roll with it, you have to consider that your laptop bag is part of your 

branding. It’s worth considering a quality investment that combines elegant and practical features. The Linda Croc-Embossed 

Leather Tote is large enough to fit your work device, and it comes with a detachable pouch that can be used as a cross-body bag. 

Agnes Baddoo produces small collections with an emphasis on sturdy and simple designs, including a neutral structure tote that 

can fit a laptop and all your stationery! 

A little pack of boosting vitamins

Vitamins on the go? You never know where your day might take you. But one thing is for sure; your breakfast smoothie isn’t going 

to be enough to keep you going on busy days. Therefore, it can be helpful to keep some energy boosters in your handbag.  

Brain Boost vitamins come in individual bags that need to be mixed into a glass of water. One little pouch contains L-theanine, 

vitamins B6, B12, folate, and antioxidants. Users claim it is as good as drinking a cup of coffee! Brain vitamins will help you stay 

sharp and focused, removing sensations of tiredness or brain fog. 

A brain dump notebook

But I’ve got a laptop; I don’t need a notebook! 

We hear you. But you’re wrong. You do need something that can collect thoughts on the go. Not every interaction can be recorded 

on a laptop. Sometimes, you just need to scramble down your ideas until you can make sense out of them. Taking notes, writing 

down appointments, and getting creative, these are some of the most common pen and paper uses. A lot of people who work 

digitally continue to rely on paper to boost their productivity and creativity. You think on paper, but you produce on the screen. 

As such, you need a high-quality notebook in your professional handbag. Leuchtturm1917 is a favorite among freelancers, for 

instance. 

Fantastic sound for the home office 

Are you planning a Zoom meeting? While these have become popular in 2020, many freelancers still struggle to have high-quality 

video calls. Nowadays, the average professional laptop delivers quality video, making webcam calls a safe bet for remote 

connections. However, laptop microphones can leave much to be desired! If you’re going to plan video catch-ups with clients and 

partners, you need a reliable microphone that creates clear and professional sound. Blue is a big brand for versatile microphones, 

delivering different pattern modes for optimal quality depending on your situation. Shure MV5 is also a good choice for office-based 

calls. 

What difference do freelancing-friendly tools make to your career? They can promote your professionalism and keep you focused 

even during long days. While it doesn’t mean that smart tools are all it takes to build a profitable venture, they are a talented 

freelancer’s best friend to establish growth!