About Me — Francesca Angeles
A look into my life as a freelancer and a secret wish to be somewhere else.
Today is my day one of writing on this platform. I wouldn’t say I’m an excellent writer yet, but I have been writing my whole life so I’m sure I’ll enjoy my time while I’m here.
A little about me
My name is Francesca. I’m a full-time freelancer delivering market research to clients, and today I’m calling myself a “freelance lifestyle” writer.
I’m based in the Philippines and I’m pure Filipino. Ask me anything about what’s it like living here and I can tell you a lot. I’ll skip on the weather and how amazing our food is here because everyone already knows about that, right?
I freelance for various gigs but I particularly love market research. This interest was unearthed back when I was in graduate school. While I was studying for my Master’s in Public Administration at Penn State Harrisburg, I worked part-time as a research assistant. I can’t pin point exactly when I started loving market research, but I’m confident that it was because of my supportive mentors back then.
I loved living in America. Pennsylvania was kind to me. The relaxing yet upbeat energy from there helped me develop the balance I have in my life right now.
My daily life as a freelancer
I’m sure you’ve heard of the glamorous life of a freelancer. How wonderful it would be to be your own boss and work less hours versus employed peers.
Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s some truth in that.
I’ve been freelancing since forever. I’ve never worked the typical 9–5. I am my own boss, I set my own rates, I work from anywhere I want, and I have the power to choose which projects I want to work on.
These are great, yes. But these perks come with great responsibilities.
I’m enjoying my life as a freelancer only because I‘ve established discipline in myself.
Here’s what my typical weekday looks like:
9am — 11am Morning coffee, house chores
11am — 1pm Social media engagement
1pm — 2pm Time for myself
2pm — 7pm Freelance work
7pm — 9pm Time for myself
9pm — 1am Freelance work
1am — 2am Decompressing
I work for more than 9 hours a day on some days and I understand that this is part of the freelance lifestyle I chose to live. Frankly, the lines are blurred when it comes to work and play. The most challenging thing for me is stopping myself from working when I deeply want to finish what I’m working on before I get some shuteye.
A little secret
Is it too early to be honest here? I don’t think so. I’m hoping to be an open book here.
I’ve always dreamt of living somewhere else. I want life to take me anywhere but here. The Philippines is home because family and friends are here, but it doesn’t feel like home to me.
Home to me is being away from everything I know. Home to me is being surrounded by strangers, by places that are waiting to be explored.
As much as I’d like to pack up and leave, I can’t. The paths I can take to live as a digital nomad somewhere in Amsterdam, Canada, or Japan are all difficult and sometimes impossible. The only thing that keeps me completely happy and grounded right now is the unconditional love I get from my 2 adorable dogs.
My dogs, Cookie (right) and Snow (left), bring smiles to everyone’s faces. They keep me alive just by existing. Whenever I feel down and under, I take one look at them and I say to myself “These kids need more dehydrated treats” and then I keep on working.
If you’ve made it here, thank you. I know this might seem like a painfully long monologue from a stranger on the internet (and maybe it is), but it’s my way of putting myself out there before I embark on this new journey.
I guess a little ice breaker might help.
I’m excited to share my personal experiences and relatable advice to other freelancers and side hustlers out there.
I relied on myself throughout my self-employment as a freelancer and if there’s anything I wished I had when I was younger, it would be one or two inspirational and relatable mentors who are living the freelancer lifestyle too.
I want to be the person I needed back when I was going through hard times.
