What Freelancers Wish They Knew Sooner
Real freelancing is full of stress, isolation, and tough choices.
Here are the cold, hard realities of freelancing. And they’re not always pretty.
Freelancing isn’t a big pajama party and paid work vacation.
The “4-hour workweek” and “digital nomad lifestyle” are often myths sold by people who either:
- Have a trust fund
- Worked a $100k+ job to save money
- Are supported by a spouse/partner/family
- Live in a low-cost country
Many are ditching their 9–5 jobs to become entrepreneurs, so it’s important to see the real side of freelancing. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, and it’s definitely not for everyone.
Freelancing has amazing perks! Working from home and doing what you love every day is fantastic. But let’s be honest, the freelance lifestyle can be frustrating too. It’s not all smooth sailing, and it comes with its own set of challenges.
Unexpected stressors like isolation, the feast-or-famine cycle of client work, and extra paperwork are common. It’s stressful! Plus, working where you live can be challenging. There’s a steep learning curve, and it can tire people out quickly. It’s exhausting!
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Now, let’s break down the realities of freelancing. Get ready for the cold, hard truth! 🥶
05 Realities Every Freelancer Wishes They Knew Sooner
01. It’s Easy to Undervalue Your Work
It’s common to struggle with valuing yourself, especially if you have imposter syndrome.
Figuring out your worth isn’t always easy. Without a fixed job description and with many small or one-time projects, it’s hard to know how to price your work.
As a freelancer, setting your own rates and negotiating for better pay is important. It means deciding when to push for more and when to hold your ground. Researching industry rates and looking at past projects can help set fair prices. Learning from each negotiation helps improve your skills over time.
Building confidence in your value takes practice, but it gets easier. Keep at it, and you’ll get better at knowing and communicating your worth.
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02. Everything Rests on Your Shoulders
As a freelancer, you’re on your own both physically and mentally. 🤯 There’s no one to chat with during the day, no immediate help, and clients are often hard to reach.
While some clients might assist and answer questions, getting in touch with them can be challenging. Sometimes, they go silent for weeks when you just need a quick answer.
You’ll be responsible for many decisions and need to be resourceful by yourself. This means finding solutions to problems, managing your own time, and staying motivated. Learning to handle these aspects efficiently is key to succeeding as a freelancer.
03. Burnout Is a Real Issue
For freelancers, managing income is a solo responsibility. If work isn’t done, payment stops, which creates constant pressure to work. Taking time off often brings guilt, and staying “on” while working online is tough.
Irregular hours, no set days off, and working where you live make vacations difficult. Setting boundaries can help, but managing these aspects remains challenging.
Sometimes, it’s better to let go of your most profitable clients if they demand all your time, set unrealistic deadlines, and don’t respect your time off. Pleasing everyone isn’t worth it!
04. Always Chasing After Clients
Clients can be the toughest part of freelancing. This doesn’t mean the work or most clients aren’t great, but handling complex projects, meeting deadlines, and managing online communication can be challenging. That’s just part of freelancing!
You’ll often be chasing clients for new work, project details, and payment. It’s essential to have a contract with each client and make sure it’s followed.
In the end, it’s up to you to protect yourself, your business, and your work. No one else will handle this for you. It’s a significant responsibility.
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05. You are Alone
One common reason freelancers switch back to traditional jobs is the isolation.
Working from home as a freelancer can be very lonely. You’re often on your own, and dealing with distractions at home makes getting work done challenging. It’s tough to succeed without anyone around.
Even though being an introvert helps with working alone, isolation can still be a struggle.
After starting freelancing in a new city, making new friends has been hard. Without an office or school to meet people, it’s a real challenge.
Finding ways to avoid feeling isolated while working from home is essential.
To Sum it Up!
Now the article has come to an end, Freelancing has its ups and downs, and many wish they had known certain things earlier. From setting boundaries and valuing your work to managing isolation, these lessons are key.
Understanding these realities can make freelancing smoother and more rewarding.
Remember, with the right knowledge and mindset, you can navigate the challenges and enjoy the freedom freelancing offers.
Wishing you all the best as you take on new projects and clients! 🎉
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