I may work from home, but I'm still working!

One of the most difficult things about running a home based business is convincing other people that you're serious about it.

Some things my friends and family have said to me since I quite my day job I 2004, and became a home based freelance writer:

>> "So, when do you think you'll go back to work, then?"

(Um, I'm already at work. Right now. Or, at least, I was until you came barging in to interrupt me.)

>> "What do you mean you're tired? I don't understand how you can possibly be tired. It's not as if you work or anything…"

(Oh no? Well, you try running my business for a day. Then tell me I can't possibly be tired…)

>> "What on earth do you with yourself do all day?"

(Er, work?)

>> "I told So-and-So you'd pick them up from the airport. It's so lucky that you don't work!"

(Words fail me)

Of course, I get nice comments, too. All of the "you're so lucky to be your own boss" and the "I wish I could work from home!" These people, though, are probably just as deluded as the ones who think working from home isn't really working at all. They all imagine some utopia in which I'm able to roll out of bed at whatever time I like, switch on the computer to see how much money has rolled in overnight, laze around a bit, maybe do a little, tiny bit of work – but only if I feel like it and there's nothing much on TV. All that jazz.

If you've ever worked from home yourself, you know it's not like that. Yes, it's great being your own boss. There's no one hanging over your shoulder, no one to set deadlines you can't possibly keep, no one to force your nose to that grindstone every second of every day. No one, that is, except yourself.

I'm probably the worst boss I've ever had. I force myself to work 12 hour shifts most days. I make myself eat lunch at my desk. I don't give myself a lot of time off, and I don't honor holiday requests. Mind you, I do have something of a vested interest. I know that if I don't work, I don't get paid. And if I don't get paid then I very well may end up watching daytime TV all day – right up until I get evicted, anyway.

It's because I work so hard that I resent the comments of well-meaning friends and family, who think they can pop in for a coffee any time they like (it's not as if I'm doing anything!), dump me with babysitting/airport runs/other assorted tasks (because it's not like I have to work or anything!) or ask me when I'm going to get a "real" job. (My job is pretend?!)

It can be difficult to get people to understand. I think that if my office was outside my home, it would be easier. They'd see me drive off to work all day, and see me come home eight hours later. My lifestyle would more closely mimic a "regular" job, but while that would make it easier for people to understand that this is what I do now, it's exactly the lifestyle I want to avoid if at all possible.

I'm not sure what the answer is. I think part of the solution is to try my best to keep regular working hours, and making it clear to friends and family that during those times, I'm not available. That works to an extent. The fact that I'm a freelance journalist, and often have to work to deadlines imposed by the newspapers I write for, as opposed to ones imposed on myself, also helps add credibility to the idea that what I'm doing is work. On the other hand, a lot of people still seem to assume that I'm just being difficult: that I really could come round to see them, I'm just choosing not to, for some twisted reason of my own.

If anyone has any better ideas, I’d love to hear them!

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