CODE IN TOKYO

The People Who Cannot Turn Down Work Are the Ones Most at Risk

I saw a news story about a well-known comedian who had been advised by a doctor to take a long break because of physical and mental health problems.

After that, photos of him eating yakiniku at a tourist spot spread on social media. Some people said, “He looks fine.” Others said, “If the issue is described as physical and mental, maybe the problem is not his body but his mental health.”

Of course, only the person himself and his doctor know the real condition.

You cannot judge that someone is fine just because they look healthy from the outside.

That reminded me of another comedian’s story.

During an extremely busy period, he developed autonomic nervous system disorder. While walking, he noticed that his pants were wet.

“Is it raining?”

Then he realized he had wet himself.

He told the story as a joke, but I think it was actually quite serious.

Why Comedians Cannot Say No

The path to success as a comedian is extremely hard.

It is not unusual for people to spend years with almost no work, living on part-time jobs.

So once they finally become popular, the feeling that “there may never be another chance” becomes deeply ingrained.

When work comes in, they cannot turn it down.

Even if it is too much, they accept it.

As a result, by the time they notice what is happening, both their mind and body have reached the limit.

Freelancers Face the Same Trap

This is not so different for freelancers.

I have been a freelancer for more than ten years, and I almost never turn down work.

“What if the next project never comes?”

“What if this client relationship ends?”

Many freelancers have probably felt this at least once.

So we accept work even when we are busy.

We push ourselves even when it is unreasonable.

Before we know it, we are thinking about work even on our days off.

Having work is something to be grateful for.

But if you keep working only because you are afraid of losing work, your mind slowly wears down.

Physical illness can often be found through medical tests.

But mental health can break before you even realize where your limit is.

“I’m still fine.”

That may be the most dangerous sentence of all.

Making Space for Your Mental Health

I no longer push myself as much as I did when I was younger.

In the past, I stayed up all night and worked on holidays as if it were normal.

But now I think it is more important to keep working for a long time.

You need to leave space not only in your work schedule, but also in your mental state.

I think that is also part of self-management for freelancers.

I understand the fear of losing work.

But work can be replaced.

Projects and companies can keep moving if someone else takes over.

But there is no replacement for your own mind and body.

Once you break down, it is too late to think, “I should have rested a little.”

Ironically, the people most afraid of losing work are often the ones who push themselves until they truly cannot work anymore.

In the end, the people who cannot turn down work may end up turning down work itself.

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