7 Truths Nobody Told You About Freelancing
Sponsored By. Greensboro Triad Access
Times have changed; compared to the conventional 9–5 we were used to, freelancing is now the new cool.
I mean, the idea of sitting in your home workstation decorated with small pots of flowers, a lamp, and LED-coloured lighting, working while stroking your little pet friend’s fur sounds like the dream life.
But here’s the bummer: it’s not always what it seems; there’s more to it. And chances are the only idea people paint about freelancing is the ‘easy life’.
But if you’re an aspiring freelancer looking to explore and get the best out of the freelancing world,
here are 7 truths you need to come to terms with.
1. Unstable Income
One of the first realities you must accept is that, as a freelancer, your income is both unpredictable and unstable. Unless you have built authority to an extent.
As a newbie, you’ll struggle with your income, and you must accept this reality as you grow into this business model.
This month you get a cool paycheck for writing blog posts or designing a logo, anything based on your expertise, and the next, you experience downtime in your income streak.
2. Nagging client
Sometimes, in the course of your freelance work, you’ll come across some clients I’d describe as unfit.
These are clients who don’t hesitate to wash down your worth and reduce your self-esteem either so they could pay you less or they just feel good making you feel worthless.
Don’t let any of your personal opinions define your worth. You’re good at what you do, and that’s on period.
If you aren’t good enough (you know the truth, you must be sincere with yourself), then you might get courses, mentorship, or practise your skill more to master it.
But still, you shouldn’t let what anyone else says define you or your worth.
3. Burnout
As a freelancer, burnout is inevitable, especially when you’re just starting.
You’re excited; you can’t wait to start working on your pyjamas while stroking your dog’s fur — the dream life people paint about freelancing.
But this excitement can get you doing more than you can.
Yes, it’s good to go beyond your limit, but it’s not the same as expending all your energy into your freelancing career as a newbie.
Wanting to take all freelance jobs because you want to make a sh*t ton of money is your highway to burnout.
I know how exciting it can be to earn from home, but as a newbie, you must also measure your strength and ensure you know your limit to avoid breakdown.
4. Impostor syndrome
When I started my freelance career, I didn’t like to think there’s such a thing as imposter syndrome.
But as I grew in my career, I felt like I didn’t know much thus led to impostor syndrome.
The feeling of not feeling enough or you don’t deserve what you get could get in your way as a freelancer.
Ensure you don’t entertain such thoughts or feelings because it’ll only make it seem true if you do.
You deserve every good thing that comes your way because you worked for it.
5. Near-nonexistent Social Life
As a freelancer, you almost do not have a social life because you have this task to do, that meeting to attend, this deadline to meet, and that.
So, the idea of attending parties or friends’ hangouts might sound like a waste of time to you because of your newly found way of life.
But of course, you can set your standards and still balance your social life with your remote job. Don’t become a work maniac.
This might take some effort and discipline from you, but I’m sure you’re up to the task, and you got this.
6. Neglecting your wellbeing
You can become so neck-deep in your work that you don’t realise your back hurts or you get cramps when you try to move your muscles sometimes.
Or that you’ve not seen the mirror in days and not realised your hair is dry and bristled.
You’re neglecting your health, and you must stop yourself before you break down or appear homeless in public.
Yes, you work from home, and it can be consumed in every sense of it, but you must always maintain personal hygiene and take good care of yourself.
7. Inevitable reinvestment
Freelancing is not all one way; at some point in your career, you’ll have to invest in more knowledge in your field to get better at what you do.
The more you know in your field, the more authority you command, and consequently, the more money you can charge.
You’ve probably only heard of all the good things that are in for you as a freelancer and not what it takes from you; investing back into your skill is one of them.
And yes, even though the ROI is all yours, it takes from you first.
Get This
Choosing the freelance world would be one of the best choices you’ve made in your life.
But while starting, you must understand that it’s a journey that comes with its ups and downs and is not a free way to make all the money you imagine.
While that is completely achievable, you must bare your mind and expect challenges as you grow in your business.
Have a great freelancing journey ahead.
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