Wait, you only just started doing this? Seriously, that simple step would have saved me from so many awful clients early on. The amount of times I got stuck doing free work because someone vanished after the planning phase... a tiny deposit really does make all the difference.

That "tough it out" mindset a lot of chefs have can actually backfire. Pushing through pain often leads to worse injuries that keep you out of work. Your way of handling it is much better for staying healthy and working longer.