This blog is a reflection piece, but it’s also:
- A hug to anyone starting out
- A nostalgic nudge for anyone who’s been on this journey for a while
- A catalogue of my journey for any nosy parkers (like me) who are simply curious
I’ve only been going a year, but in many jobs after a year you’re given a performance review and/or considered for a promotion. Here’s my impression of that. Do let me know if any of these pointers resonate with you, or if there’s any you’d like to add. One thing about freelancers is that we’re constantly learning!
1. It’s Really Hard to Switch Off From Work (I’m writing this now on holiday)
I find travel really inspiring, and I don’t want to waste those juices. Drawing boundaries as a freelancer is challenging, and something I am still navigating.
2. People Are Going to Make Assumptions About You
My career isn’t typical; most of my friends are in stable full-time salaried work. Also, after explaining that I’m freelance the amount of people that say, “so what do you if you don’t have a job then?” is uncanny.
3. Self-belief is the Backbone of Your Journey
There’s no manager telling you you’re doing a great job, and for the most part you have to just trust the process. One month, I made a grand total of £60—and I wasn’t one of those forward-thinking freelancers with a 3-month reserve for bills. That was a wakeup call, to say the least. My marketing strategy changed around this point.
4. If You Can Make Enough to Afford Bills, Anything Else is a Bonus
Shocker: money does not define happiness. Whodda thunk it!
5. You Will Spend a Lot of Time Proving Your Abilities to Others, But Mostly, Yourself
Back in the early days, I was in a conversation circle and was asked to introduce myself. I timidly mentioned I was a freelance copywriter but-I’m-a-recent-graduate-and-just-starting-out-so-I-don’t-really-know-what-I’m-doing. Someone at the event pulled me after and said bluntly (which I appreciate), how are you going to convince anyone you know what you’re doing if you don’t even believe it yourself? After that I began investing money into my business: I paid someone to set up a website, made business cards, and spoke about my dream as if it was already a reality.
6. What You Put in, You Get Out
This is a really hard pill to swallow, but once it’s down you’re unstoppable. The thing about working for yourself and being your own boss is if you don’t do it, no one will.
7. Not Everyone is Going to Understand, and That’s Okay
Walking off the beaten track can be a lonely journey, and I have lost people along the way. I have many supportive friends who are happy for my achievements but realistically, everyone is a main character in their own story and I can’t expect them to understand. My journey is mine, and that’s beautiful. I now have a community of freelancers I work with which is a great motivator!
8. Being Your Own Boss is F*cking Awesome, But You’re Not Superior Because of it
During lockdown, I had my stint of the 9-6. I learnt a lot about myself during that time, and the routine was really comforting—especially during the pandemic period of turbulence. It was during this time, however, that I spent many hours ruminating on my meaning and purpose; I couldn’t understand why those with the means were not giving to those without, and how people could get out of bed in a morning.
Freelance was my way of taking control of my own reality—if anyone was going to be responsible for my life, it was me. I got a taste for being the commander of my own schedule at university and ran with it. However, I admit I tried to force the taste of freedom down other people’s throats, because to me it tasted amazing. We all have different pallets and that’s okay.
9. Accounting is Really Boring
No explanation needed here. The minute I can afford to hire someone to sort that headache, best believe it’s happening.
10. Your Network is Really, Really, Important, Every Impression Counts
To this day, my biggest client has come from a connection I made in my final year of university. It’s so exciting to look back and realise that you’re entering a network event not filled with the same dread you once were, filled with pride for past you who made it into that room in the first place. Thank you to everyone who’s helped me along the way.
The Takeaway?
I’ve learned to fall in love with the journey, because as a freelancer there really is no destination. It’s a fantastic feeling knowing you’ve made the right decision for your life—for the first time I truly feel like the pioneer of my own ship. Being able to work with the ebbs and flows of life and pour energy into passion projects is truly rewarding. Naturally, there are still areas of freelance I’m figuring out, but I’m trusting in the journey. Here’s to a fulfilling 2025!
