This year, I made the tough decision to stop freelancing to take a full-time job. While I’m very excited about my new gig, I realize that there were a lot of things I loved about being self-employed and working out of my own home.
As a way to express gratitude for the experience, here are just some of the things that will be on my mind when I start my new job this week:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Flexibility in setting my own work hours and schedule. |
| 2. The freedom to choose the projects I am passionate about. |
| 3. Building meaningful relationships with clients. |
| 4. Working from the comfort of my own space. |
| 5. The sense of accomplishment from successfully managing my own business. |
| 6. Embracing the thrill of uncertainty and varied challenges. |
| 7. Not having to deal with office politics or rigid hierarchies. |
| 8. Enjoying the solitude and focus during independent work. |
| 9. Being in control of my career path and growth. |
| 10. Taking breaks and vacations without seeking permission. |
1. The Freedom To Work From Anywhere
One of the biggest benefits of being a freelancer is having the flexibility to work from anywhere. This can be your home office, a coffee shop, or even just a park bench in the middle of Portland’s beautiful green spaces.
The best part is that you have no boss telling you that it’s time to go home and get some sleep. I’ll miss this freedom when I go back into an office job full-time.
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2. Having No Meetings
There are so many meetings. Meetings to talk about things that are already done, or that never need to be done in the first place.
Meetings where people sit around a table and do nothing but talk about what we’re all thinking about doing for our company/team/project/product.
I’m not saying that all meetings are useless they can sometimes even be helpful! But most of them? Not so much. Fortunately, being a freelancer means I’ll never have to sit through another one again!
3. Making My Schedule
Working in a traditional office, you have to be there at the same time every day and do your work according to someone else’s timetable.
As a freelancer, you are free to set your schedule and work whenever you want and it’s amazing how much more efficient this can make you. I am constantly surprised by how much I can get done when I’m working on my terms rather than someone else’s.
What used to take me an entire day now only takes an hour or two. One of the best parts about being self-employed is that if you don’t feel like doing something today (or ever), then no one will force it out of you you’re totally in control of your destiny here, baby!
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4. Not Having A Boss
There is a certain freedom that comes with being your boss. You can work when you want and where you want. You don’t have to worry about someone telling you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, or even what the hell they think of the way you look while doing it.
I used to be a big fan of wearing things like cargo shorts and oversized t-shirts with terrible band logos on them but now I can wear whatever I want without judgment from coworkers (except maybe my wife).
5. Being Treated With Respect (And Not Like A Child)
When you work for yourself, you’re in charge. You decide when to take a break or when it’s time to go home. You decide what projects to take on and what clients deserve your attention.
And while this can be challenging at times (especially when you feel like a failure because of how many job applications you’ve sent out), at the end of the day there’s nothing more empowering than knowing that every decision falls squarely on your shoulders.
It’s even better if someone asks what they can do for me! So many bosses have asked me this question over the years and I know plenty more who wouldn’t bother asking their employees such a thing but it always seems so out of place when anyone else does it: “What can I get [you]?”
When someone treats me like I’m an actual adult with needs beyond “more money,” I don’t see them as an authority figure trying desperately to control me; instead, it feels more like they’re treating me with respect and showing an interest in my wellbeing (which is pretty much how I would treat any other human being).
This makes all the difference between feeling appreciated by those around me versus feeling like nothing but another cog in some giant machine that doesn’t care about anything other than keeping itself running smoothly regardless of whether its parts are happy or not!
6. Having Unlimited “Sick” Days
When you’re a freelancer, the possibilities for taking time off are endless. You can take time off to travel. You can take time off to go to the doctor. You can even take time off just to watch Netflix and eat pizza in your pajamas on a Saturday afternoon if that’s what makes you happy.
This may sound cheesy, but I’ve learned that it’s important to permit yourself to do what makes you happy now and then (not just when it comes with an expiration date).
When I first started my business full-time, I thought having unlimited sick days would be awesome and then I realized how quickly those days add up! Now we’re at almost 4 weeks of paid vacation each year.
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7. Working Alone And With Minimal Interruptions
You can work whenever you want. No one’s going to stop you from taking a sick day, or a vacation, or working through the weekend. Your answer to your clock and that’s about it. No one else can tell you what to do with your time you get paid for your work and everything else is up to you.
8. Working In Comfortable Clothes (Or No Clothes)
There’s a lot to be said for working in your pajamas and then not having to worry about how you look. If you’re someone who cares about that kind of thing, I get it but for those of us who don’t (or are just too lazy), the benefits are amazing.
I once made it home from work and went straight into my living room to nap without even changing out of my t-shirt and jeans, only to wake up 20 minutes later because I was too hot!
That’s all there is to say here: sometimes you don’t want or need anything else on top of what you’re already wearing when it comes time for work (or play).
9. Feeling More Motivated And Productive At Home
You can work in your pajamas, yoga pants, or your favorite sweatshirt.* You can eat what you want you know that one? I have a friend who makes herself a bowl of soup at 2 pm every day. It’s delightful.
You can listen to music you like, not just whatever happens to be playing on Spotify or Pandora (which is usually terrible).
If there’s something on the radio that gets stuck in your head and bothers you too much, just mute it out! No one will judge you for turning off your computer and going outside for a walk around the block because “I need some fresh air.”
10. Never Being Late To Work
You’ll never be late to work. There are no excuses. The only reason you can’t work is that you’re sick or don’t feel well enough to do so.
It doesn’t matter if there was traffic, or if the weather changed suddenly while you were on your commute; when freelancers say they’ll accomplish anything by a certain time, they mean it. We hold ourselves accountable for our success and our failures in this regard and we actively plan for both scenarios with the hope of avoiding them altogether!
We’re also always prepared for anything that could come up during a session with a client (or even just an ordinary day).
That means: making sure all of our equipment works properly before we accept any new projects; keeping up-to-date files of previous jobs so as not to repeat mistakes from past projects; always having backup plans when one doesn’t go as expected; etc., etc., etc.
This preparation helps us avoid stressful situations where things aren’t running smoothly and no matter what happens during these “failures,” they won’t take away from other important aspects of your business such as relationships with clients or networking opportunities at conferences/conventions/etc.
11. Not Having To Commute In Bad Weather Or Traffic
I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life, but none of them involved a commute. I went straight from my front door to the office, or at most had a 10-minute walk. This was especially nice because as soon as work was over and it was 5 o’clock, I could be home and done with everything for the day.
Not having to deal with traffic or bad weather is great! When it rains, everyone else drives slower so there are fewer accidents (but still plenty of fender benders). When there’s snow on the streets, people are careful about their driving because they know their car will end up with some salt on it if they don’t drive carefully
And when there’s ice on roads? Well, then people stay off those roads until someone can come out with chains or sanders or whatever it takes to make sure that no one gets hurt by slipping into an icy ditch along the road.
Freelancing is reshaping the way we work, yet it remains under-discussed. Delve into the topic with our thought-provoking article, Freelancing is Changing Work – Why Aren’t We Talking About It More? and explore the implications of this transformative trend.
12. Working On Projects I’m Passionate About
If you’re a freelancer, chances are that you’re working on things that are important to you. You may be doing something like chasing your dream of being a novelist or creating art in the form of music videos and short films.
To me, this is one of the greatest perks of being a freelance writer: I get to work on projects that I’m passionate about. Work doesn’t feel like work when it’s something that excites me and speaks directly to my interests and if there’s anything I’ve learned in life, it’s that passion can take us farther than any amount of money ever will (as long as we don’t lose our minds).
The fact is simple: when we do what we love, it feels like play; there’s no need for an alarm clock or coffee breaks because time seems to fly by without even noticing them. The world becomes our playground where nothing comes between us and experiencing joy on every level imaginable…and if this isn’t paradise then what?
13. Availability Of Freelance Clients And Lots Of Them
If you’re a freelancer, your availability is the number one quality that will attract clients to hire you. It’s also easier to find freelance clients than it ever has been before.
You don’t need to go door-to-door with a stack of business cards in hand or spend hours every day searching for work you can just sign up for websites that have tons of potential leads, like Upwork and Fiverr.
It’s exciting when people contact me about my services because it means I’ll be able to do something I love while getting paid for it.
Once we start working together and form a relationship, communication is usually pretty easy anything from emailing back and forth about project details to chatting on Skype about how things are going.
Wondering about the future of work? Discover compelling reasons why The Future of Work Will Be Freelance in our insightful piece, and gain valuable perspectives on the evolving nature of employment and freelancing opportunities.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of reasons to enjoy being a freelancer, but I’m excited for this new phase in my life.
And though I’ll have to get used to having meetings and wearing pants again, I think it will be worth it for the opportunity to work with people face-to-face again, have more structure in my day-to-day routine, and get involved with a company that values what I have to say as much as I do.
Further Reading
Freelance Mistakes to Avoid: Learn about common mistakes that freelancers should steer clear of to maximize their success in the gig economy.
13 Things Nobody Tells You About Going Freelance: Discover valuable insights about the realities of freelancing and the best-paid industries for freelancers.
24 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Full-Time Freelancer: Gain practical tips and advice from experienced freelancers on what they wish they knew before diving into full-time freelancing.
People Also Ask
What Is Being A Freelancer?
Being a freelancer means that you are your boss. You have the freedom to do what you want when you want. That’s why many people choose to become freelancers overworking in an office setting. However, this also comes with its challenges and responsibilities.
How Do You Feel About Being A Freelancer?
I’m thrilled. I love the freedom of working from home, and I also love the flexibility of being able to set my hours. That said, there are some things that I’ll miss about being a full-time employee: the camaraderie with coworkers and the sense of purpose that comes from knowing your company is counting on you to get the job done.
What Are Some Downsides To Being A Freelancer?
The biggest downside is that there’s no one else to pick up slack if your workload gets too heavy or if something comes up in your personal life that prevents you from working for a few days or weeks at a time (like an illness).
It can also be hard to know where your paycheck will come from month to month it’s not like most employers will give their employees three months’ notice before letting them go
In addition, if you’re self-employed, there are many more tax forms involved than when you’re employed by someone else because they take care of taxes for you as part of their compensation package; as an independent contractor.
How Can You Make The Most Of A Freelance Career?
One of my favorite things about freelancing is that there’s always something new to learn. Whether it’s a new tool, a new technique, or just a new way to approach your work, every day is an opportunity for growth and development.
This is an important part of how I’ve been able to stay engaged and productive with my career as a freelancer.
What Do You Wish You Knew When You Started Freelancing?
When I first started working as a freelancer, I spent too much time comparing myself to other people who were doing similar work for clients in the same industry as me.
It took me some time before I came to terms with the fact that what matters most isn’t how much other people are making it’s whether or not you’re earning enough to pay your bills while also investing in yourself and your future.
How Did You Manage To Stay Motivated?
I was really lucky to work with a lot of people who were super supportive and encouraging. I also really enjoyed the feeling of being able to set my schedule, so I never felt bored or stressed.
Why Should I Become A Freelancer?
There are many reasons to become a freelancer;
- You can choose your hours and days off. You can work when you want and as much or as little as you want without having to ask permission from anyone.
- You can work in your pajamas if you want. Or naked, if that’s your thing (we won’t judge).
- You’ll get more money than working for someone else because there’s no overhead cost for them (like paying for office space).
If someone pays you $100/hr to do something, then that’s what they’re paying you for your time only. If it takes them two hours to do it themselves, then they would have paid $200/hr for their own time plus the cost of materials (etc.). So hiring someone else to do it, will be helpful.
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Freelancer?
There are many benefits to being a freelancer.
For example, if you work from home and don’t have any children or other responsibilities, it can be easier than working in an office because you get to set your hours and schedule every day as you see fit.
This also means that there is no commute time so less stress on your body from getting up early or staying late at night each day just to get there on time.
Another benefit is that there are no office politics or drama so you won’t be dealing with those issues on top of everything else.
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.