Working as a freelancer can be a rewarding experience. But, it’s not for everyone. No matter how much you like to work from home, a home-based freelance business isn’t always the best option for every person in every situation. In fact, there are lots of reasons why you should stop freelancing and get a real job instead!
| Takeaways |
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| 1. Freelancing may lack stability and consistent income. |
| 2. Freelancers often face challenges in finding clients and securing projects. |
| 3. The lack of benefits, such as healthcare and retirement plans, can be a disadvantage of freelancing. |
| 4. Balancing work and personal life can be more challenging as a freelancer. |
| 5. Transitioning to a traditional job can provide stability and benefits that freelancing may not offer. |
| 6. Assess your personal preferences and long-term career goals when considering whether to continue freelancing or pursue a real job. |
| 7. Evaluate the financial implications of freelancing versus having a regular job. |
| 8. Seek advice and insights from experienced professionals who have transitioned from freelancing to traditional employment. |
| 9. Understand the potential trade-offs and benefits of each career path before making a decision. |
| 10. Ultimately, the choice between freelancing and a real job depends on individual circumstances and priorities. |
1. Because You Have Too Much Time On Your Hands
When you’re a freelancer, it’s very easy to get caught up in your head. You have too much time on your hands and it can be tempting to just sit around and think about things. This is not necessarily a bad thing; sometimes we do need some time to reflect on our lives and what’s important to us.
But if this becomes an obsession for you, then that’s when things start getting out of hand. It’ll be hard for you to stay motivated as a freelancer because there will always be more opportunities for self-reflection than there are actual jobs available that pay enough money for you to live off them alone.
Building a successful freelancing career requires consistency and tracking the right metrics. Discover the essential metrics you need to monitor in our comprehensive guide on The Consistent Freelancer: 20 Metrics You Need to Track.
2. Because You’re Good At Working Under Someone Else’s Rules
This may be the most important reason for you to stop freelancing and get a real job. You’re good at working under someone else’s rules.
You don’t want to do everything your way, no matter how great it feels when you’re first starting as a freelance writer or designer. The best freelancers are those who can adjust their work style based on the needs of each client they work with and that includes following the strict rules that many companies have in place.
Working with people who have more experience than you is also something that most freelancers struggle with, but if this is something that comes naturally to you (and even if it doesn’t), then freelance life might not be right for you after all!
3. Because It’s So Important To Keep That Job Security
Indeed, you can’t expect to be an entrepreneur if you don’t have the drive and passion required for it. But it’s also true that a traditional job can be just as rewarding as freelancing, if not more so.
And what about the security? Even with a full-time job, you’ll never want for work or paychecks again! You may even get insurance benefits (though these will likely cover less than what you were paying when you were self-employed).
Are you on the right path to freelancing success? Look out for these 15 signs that indicate you’re on your way to a thriving freelancing career. Learn more in our article on 15 Signs You’re on Your Way to a Successful Freelancing Career.
4. Because You Enjoy The Monotony Of Working A Set Number Of Hours Each Day
You don’t want to be able to work less than 40 hours a week, but you also don’t want to be able to work more than 40 hours a week. You enjoy the fact that your contract stipulates when you are required to be at your desk and when you can relax and take time for yourself.
You love knowing that there is an end date for each project. You thrive on knowing how much time it will take before the project is completed so that once it’s over, there are no surprises you know exactly how much longer you will have this job!
5. Because You’re Getting Tired Of All That Extra Income
One of the most common reasons people decide to stop freelancing and get a real job is because they start to make too much money.
This may seem like a good thing, but it isn’t. When you make too much money, it tempts you to spend more and save less. You’ll be spending that extra income on all kinds of things: vacations, new clothes, fancy dinners out with friends the list goes on and on.
And if you do decide to invest some of your earnings to grow your nest egg even larger (which is always recommended), then any money left over at the end of each month will feel like an unnecessary indulgence in light of all those other things that could have been purchased instead.
If you’re considering freelance writing as a career, explore the reasons why it could be the right choice for you. Find valuable insights and motivations in our article on Reasons Why I Think You Should Try Freelance Writing.
6. Because It’s Easier To Spend Money Than It Is To Make Money
If you’re freelancing, it’s easy to spend money. You can buy that new shirt online or take a cab to the airport instead of taking the train. But if you are trying to make your living as an entrepreneur, then spending is going to be difficult because there is probably not much extra money floating around in the first place.
It’s like the difference between eating at home versus eating out; when you’re at home and cooking for yourself, everything needs to be budgeted carefully so that it costs less than eating out somewhere else would have cost otherwise.
That’s how most businesses operate: they take an initial investment (your time) which pays off over time by generating income (money). So if you want some extra cash flow now, then why don’t go get a job? You won’t have any problems with spending when having a regular paycheck enters into play!
7. Because A Second Or Third Job Would Help You Sleep Better At Night
You will have more time to sleep. Do you know what’s better than sleeping? More sleep! The average person needs between seven and nine hours of sleep every day, but many people don’t get enough.
According to the CDC, approximately 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep deprivation that’s nearly one-third of adults in the United States! If you’re struggling with this problem yourself, consider how adding another job would help you get more restful Zzzs at night:
You’ll have a lighter workload on your plate. This means less stress on your mind and body, which means more energy when it comes time for bedtime.
Your schedule will be more predictable (and less erratic). When freelancing jobs come and go at random times throughout the week which they often do it can be hard to plan for things like dinner parties or events with friends or family members who live far away from where you currently reside (i.e., everywhere except Manhattan).
8. Because You Get Bored Easily And Need A Lot Of Stimulation To Stay Interested In New Things
If you’ve always been a freelancer, then chances are that as an adult, your self-worth is tied to your job. If you’re not working, then you feel like a loser who has no purpose in life and is just killing time until retirement.
It’s easy to get caught up in this mindset because it seems like everyone else cares so much about their careers; they go on interviews and get promotions, and receive raises or bonuses whenever they want them and that’s how people measure success these days: by how much money they bring home at the end of each month.
But when was the last time someone asked how many times per week you pick up trash? Well, I’d say every day now!
That’s right! Every day there are new opportunities for me to make money without even having to leave my house! All I have to do is log into my computer and start sending emails out there into cyberspace where potential clients will magically find them (or maybe not).
So what does this mean for me? Well first off it means that if one job doesn’t pan out then another will come along soon enough especially if I keep my eyes open for opportunities around town instead of focusing solely on finding work online (even though most jobs available today require some sort of digital presence). The more options available means more chances at making money too.”
Understanding the characteristics and aspirations of Generation Z can provide valuable insights for businesses and individuals. Dive into our in-depth analysis on This Is What Generation Z Is Like to gain a deeper understanding of this influential demographic.
9. Because Life’s Too Short Not To Make Your Dreams Come True
If you’re a freelance worker, you probably spend most of your time doing things that don’t make you happy. You might be thinking that freelancing is the best thing ever because it gives you freedom and flexibility, but there are still some things holding you back from having a life that makes sense for you.
You need to realize that no matter how much money or success other people are enjoying, it doesn’t mean that they have found their passion in life.
Most people never do find what they truly love to do with their lives they just end up working hard enough at something so as not to disappoint their family or friends. If this sounds familiar then maybe it’s time for a change!
There is so much more meaning and fulfillment in life than just getting by each day without anything exciting happening at work – why would anyone want their entire existence on this planet reduced down into nothing more than just another number? Life is too short not to take advantage of every opportunity available!
10. Because There’s Always Time To Pursue Your Goals Later When Life Is Less Busy
There will always be more time to pursue your goals later. When life is less busy, when you have more money, when you have less stress, or when you’re in a better health situation.
You can always do it later.
Because You Love Paying Taxes And Giving Up Half Of What You Make To Uncle Sam
Taxes are an unavoidable part of life. You need to pay taxes to keep the country running, so you can get your hands on those sweet, sweet public services like roads and schools. Taxes also fund our military, which keeps America safe from other countries that would otherwise invade us (or something like that).
You might not realize it now, but freelancing isn’t exactly tax-friendly. In fact, by giving up half of what you make as a freelancer for taxes alone, you’re essentially working for free!
11. You Don’t Want Flexibility In Your Schedule
You’re an independent, self-motivated professional who likes to set their schedule and take time off whenever they want. You don’t want to be forced into working the same hours as everyone else or with a boss breathing down your neck about taking sick days or vacation days.
You love having the flexibility of freelancing because it gives you the option of changing your schedule at a moment’s notice without permission from anyone but yourself. No longer are there any pesky coworkers to get in your way!
If someone does not work late one night due to an emergency like having dinner plans with friends or family, no one will even know because they weren’t there anyway!
12. You Don’t Want The Freedom To Live And Work Anywhere Outside Of A Traditional Office Building Structure
You don’t want the freedom to live and work anywhere outside of a traditional office building structure, even if for only part of your work day.
Don’t worry! You can still be a freelancer while sticking like glue to your cubicle. You just need to find ways to make it work for you, like working from home or at different off-site locations. If you’re having trouble figuring out where these places might be, here are some ideas:
- Your couch (or bed)
- Your friend’s living room/couch/bed (or kitchen table)
- A coffee shop
- A library with Wi-Fi
Freelancing is not just the future but also the present of work. Explore our thought-provoking article on Freelancing: Not the Future of Work, the Present to gain insights into the changing landscape of employment and the opportunities it presents.
13. You Don’t Want The Freedom To Live And Work From Home, Even If For Only Part Of The Week
You don’t want the freedom to live and work from home, even if for only part of the week (and traveling as often as possible).
Indeed, you can technically work from anywhere at any time, but with freelancing comes a lot of stress. You have no one to answer to but yourself, which means that if something goes wrong or things get busy at work then there’s nobody else who can help solve this problem.
This can make it difficult for you to take time off when needed because no one else is going to cover for your absence; instead, they will have to deal with their workload while also dealing with yours too!
Consequently, this lack of structure in your work means that there are fewer opportunities available compared with what would otherwise be available if working in an office environment where people tend not only still exist within traditional office buildings but also remain within those same buildings throughout their careers.
Meaning they become accustomed to having certain amenities such as being able to leave early on Fridays because they’ve already clocked up enough hours during other days throughout the week! I mean seriously: how much time do we waste just sitting around waiting until lunchtime? That shouldn’t happen anymore!
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far into the post, then you probably share our love for freelancing. After all, there are plenty of reasons to quit your job and become a freelancer but there are also good reasons to stay in a traditional 9-to-5 job. So which is right for YOU? We think that at the end of the day, you should do what makes sense financially and spiritually.
Don’t be a slave to money; make sure your career gives back as much joy as it takes away from your life (or more!). And most importantly, don’t forget about all those other freelance jobs out there that are just waiting for someone like YOU!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic:
Reasons Not to Freelance: Discover the potential drawbacks and challenges of freelancing that you should consider before pursuing a freelance career.
Reasons Why Freelancer Career Might Not Be for You: Explore various factors and circumstances that may indicate freelancing is not the right fit for you.
Self-Employed vs. Employed: Which Is Right for You?: Understand the differences between being self-employed and being employed, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It That Bad?
Yes, freelancing is a lot of work. It’s also not as much fun as you think it will be, and it can be very lonely. Many freelancers report feeling depressed after working by themselves all day! Freelancing is not for everyone and if you’re having trouble with the job, you might need to re-evaluate whether or not this is what you want to do in life.
What’s So Wrong With Being Alone?
You’re not alone when you’re working from home: You’re just by yourself in your house/apartment all day, with no one there to talk to except your pets (if you have any), and maybe a friend who calls once every few days for a chat about nothing important at all.
That’s why so many people turn to drugs and alcohol when they first start freelancing because it feels like such an awful waste of time!
Why Would I Want To Become A Freelancer When There Are So Many People Looking For Jobs?
The best way to find work is always by networking with people who can help you find opportunities that match your skills and interests. When you are employed by a company, you will be limited to the projects they offer you or those that you can find through your research.
Freelancers have more control over their workload and can choose the projects that interest them most. As such, it is often easier for them to find work because they have more options available than someone who is employed full-time by one company.
Why Should I Look Online When I Can Just Walk Into My Local Store And Apply For A Job?
Online applications allow employers to reach out to candidates without having to spend money on advertising or hiring recruiters who charge fees for their services;
However, if you do not have much experience working in retail stores then applying online may not be worth it because many employers may only consider candidates with previous experience in this field before hiring them as new employees
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.