Michaeline Becker has spent many years working towards her goal of freelancing full-time. Throughout that time, she had to learn how to balance the spontaneous nature of a freelancing schedule and allow ample time to focus on her health and hobbies. We sat down with her to discuss how she manages to create free time within her outstanding career in the beauty industry and any pieces of advice she has for people trying to find ways to stay healthy in their freelancing careers.
“I started working towards my freelancing career by doing makeup and hair for my friends and eventually decided to go to cosmetology school. Over time through a lot of hard work and dedication, I was able to leave my first career and support myself as a full-time self-employed makeup artist and hairstylist,” says Michaeline Becker.
Before freelancing full-time, she worked as a Biomedical engineer in a corporate-style company. As a result, she spent many years in stressful work situations while balancing makeup and hair freelancing gigs. This was when Michaeline Becker realized that she needed to choose the job she loves and add more time for herself to recharge. During this transition, she quickly learned the value of incorporating free time into her everyday schedule.
Michaeline Becker says, “I’ve found that it’s really important after a job, to find ways to recharge and do something creatively fulfilling for yourself. Especially if the job was particularly difficult or stressful.”
Once makeup and hair became her full-time career, Michaeline Becker focused on various wellness activities as her primary source of creativity and relief. “My interests outside of work include maintaining my health, working out, and cooking. I’ve had my fair share of health issues over the years, and I have done a lot to better myself and become healthier,” says Michaeline Becker.
By allowing her free time to be centered around her health and well-being, Michaeline Becker has created a space to ensure that she provides the best service for her clients. She says, “What I love most about focusing on my health is that it allows me to show up every day as the best version of myself.”
To maintain a positive work-life balance while freelancing, Michaeline Becker advises, “Try and do what’s manageable. I never try to overdo anything, especially when working out or maintaining my health, because I don’t want to burn out. So I just do what’s manageable.”
Michaeline Becker does not spend every day doing the most demanding workout or the most challenging run. Instead, she tries to listen to her body and incorporate working out into her everyday activities.
“A final piece of advice is to combine a workout and a networking opportunity, or a hang with a friend. So instead of working out by myself at home, I’ll ask somebody who I’m interested in networking with, if they want to go for a hike with me or something. You get to do two things at once,” says Michaeline Becker.
Discover more of her work on her website here: mickbeauty.com.
