The Wild Ride of Freelance: Honesty, Burnout, and Maybe a Little Bit of Freedom
The Allure of Freedom…and the Inevitable Chaos
Okay, let’s be real. Freelancing sounds amazing, right? Wake up whenever you want, work from anywhere, be your own boss. The dream! And honestly, parts of it *are* incredible. I remember the first time I submitted an invoice and got paid what I felt I truly deserved. That feeling was… intoxicating. But nobody really talks about the other side, the messy, frustrating, soul-crushing side. The late nights, the feast-or-famine income, the constant hustle to find the next gig. It’s like, you trade a soul-sucking 9-to-5 for a soul-sucking 24/7 where *you’re* the one doing the sucking. Does that make sense? I hope it does. Because that’s how it felt for me, at least in the beginning. The freedom is there, but it’s buried under a mountain of self-doubt and unpaid invoices.
My Freelance “Origin Story” (and First Big Mistake)
So, how did I even get here? Well, I got laid off. Classic. I was working at a marketing agency, doing okay, but never really felt like it was *me*. Then, BAM! Downsized. At first, I was terrified. But then… a little voice in my head said, “Hey, maybe this is your chance to try that freelance thing.” I’d been dabbling on the side anyway, doing some copywriting for friends and family. So I jumped. Without a plan. Without savings. Without… well, anything really. That was mistake number one. HUGE mistake. I thought my existing contacts would be enough to keep me afloat. Boy, was I wrong. I spent the first few months scrambling for scraps, undercharging for my work, and basically just saying “yes” to everything that came my way. That’s how I ended up writing website copy for a funeral home. I mean, hey, a gig’s a gig, right? But it wasn’t exactly creatively fulfilling. And it certainly wasn’t paying the bills consistently.
The Burnout Monster: It’s Real, and It’s Hungry
The worst part about saying “yes” to everything is that you eventually burn out. Like, completely and utterly. I was working insane hours, trying to juggle multiple projects, and constantly stressing about money. I remember one night, I was up until 3 a.m. trying to finish a blog post for a client (who, by the way, ended up hating it and asking for a complete rewrite). I was staring at the screen, tears welling up, thinking, “What am I doing with my life?” It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t empowering. It was just… exhausting. I felt so overwhelmed. That’s when the anxiety really kicked in. I started having trouble sleeping. I was constantly irritable. And I lost all motivation to do anything, even things I used to enjoy. I knew something had to change. I was heading straight for a brick wall. Have you ever felt that way? That feeling of being completely drained and unable to function? It’s a scary place.
Learning to Say “No” (And Other Hard Lessons)
So, I had to make some changes, and fast. The first thing I did was learn to say “no.” This was incredibly difficult for me. I’m a people-pleaser by nature, and the thought of turning down work terrified me. But I realized that saying “yes” to everything was actually hurting me in the long run. It was diluting my focus, lowering the quality of my work, and contributing to my burnout. I started being more selective about the projects I took on, focusing on the ones that aligned with my skills and interests. I also started raising my rates. I know, scary! But I realized I was seriously undervaluing my time and expertise. It was uncomfortable at first, but you know what? People actually paid them! Imagine that. Learning to value my work was a huge turning point.
Finding Your Tribe (Even if It’s Online)
Freelancing can be incredibly isolating. You’re working alone, often from home, and you don’t have the camaraderie of a traditional office environment. That’s why it’s so important to find your tribe, your support system. For me, that meant connecting with other freelancers online. I joined a few Facebook groups and online forums, and it was amazing to find other people who understood what I was going through. We shared tips and advice, vented our frustrations, and celebrated each other’s successes. It made me feel less alone and more connected. Seriously, finding your people can make all the difference. Feeling like you’re not the only one struggling? Priceless. It’s sort of like finally exhaling after holding your breath for a really, really long time.
Tools of the Trade (And My Favorite Time-Saver)
Okay, let’s talk tools. As a freelancer, you’re basically running your own business, so you need to have the right tools in place. There are tons of options out there, but here are a few that I’ve found particularly helpful: Trello for project management, Google Workspace for collaboration, and Quickbooks Self-Employed for invoicing and accounting. Honestly, Quickbooks saved me so much time and stress, especially around tax season. I used to spend hours trying to track my income and expenses manually, but now it’s all automated. Worth. Every. Penny. I also love using Toggl Track for time tracking. It helps me see where my time is actually going, which is crucial for pricing my services and staying productive. I was shocked to see how much time I wasted on social media at first. Ugh. But at least now I know, and I can work on being more disciplined.
The Unexpected Perks (Beyond the Pajamas)
Okay, so it’s not all doom and gloom. There are definitely some amazing perks to freelancing. Obviously, the flexibility is a huge one. Being able to set my own hours and work from anywhere is a dream come true. I love being able to take a break in the middle of the day to go for a walk or run errands. And yes, working in my pajamas is definitely a plus. But the best part, for me, is the variety. I get to work on so many different types of projects, with so many different clients. It keeps things interesting and challenging, and I’m constantly learning new things. I also feel like I have more control over my career path. I get to choose the projects I want to work on, and I’m not stuck in a dead-end job that I hate. It’s empowering. Truly.
The Future is Uncertain (But That’s Okay?)
So, am I living the perfect freelance life now? Not even close. There are still ups and downs, good days and bad days. I still struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I still have moments where I want to throw my laptop out the window. But I’ve learned a lot over the past few years, and I’m getting better at managing the challenges and celebrating the successes. The future is still uncertain, but I’m okay with that. I’m learning to embrace the uncertainty and to trust that things will work out. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually feel like I’ve “made it.” But for now, I’m just enjoying the ride. I think. Or at least trying to.
One Last Thing: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you’re thinking about going freelance, or if you’re already freelancing and struggling, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to other freelancers, join online communities, and don’t be afraid to reach out to mentors or coaches. There are so many resources available, and you don’t have to go through it alone. We’re all in this together. And remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to fail. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. The important thing is to keep learning, keep growing, and keep moving forward. You got this. Really.
Was It Worth It? A Hesitant “Yes”
So, circling back to the beginning… was it worth it? Honestly? It’s a complicated question. There were moments I wanted to quit, crawl back to a regular job, and never look back. The stress, the insecurity, the constant pressure… it can be brutal. But then I think about the freedom, the flexibility, the sense of accomplishment I feel when I land a great project or receive positive feedback from a client. And then… the answer is yes. Hesitantly, cautiously, but yes. It’s been a wild ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. At least, not right now. Maybe ask me again next year, haha. Who even knows what’s next? But for now, I’m embracing the chaos and enjoying the journey. And if you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into this other topic… finding side hustles to supplement your freelance income.
