I used to practice law. It was, honestly, so stressful that it would keep me up at night. I tried to find ways to calm my anxiety and ended up writing in a journal.
One day, I realized that the act of writing made me feel better than the actual content of what I was writing.
So I started taking freelance jobs and eventually left practicing law altogether. Here are reasons why I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Leaving a career in law to pursue a freelance writing career can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. |
| Following your passion and taking a leap of faith in pursuing a freelance writing career can result in a more satisfying and fulfilling professional life. |
| Transitioning from a legal profession to freelance writing can bring about positive changes and a higher level of contentment. |
| Embracing a freelance writing career after leaving the law field can lead to increased happiness and personal satisfaction. |
| Choosing to pursue a freelance writing career instead of practicing law can result in a greater sense of happiness and overall well-being. |
Lawyers Are Smart, But There’s More Than One Way To Be Smart
Lawyers are smart, but there’s more than one way to be smart. You can be a lawyer, or you can be an engineer, or you can be an accountant or a financial planner, or even a teacher.
The list goes on and on. If your primary motivation for studying law was to use your analytical skills and attention to detail to solve problems for other people (and it probably was), then there are many other jobs out there that will allow you to do just that.
Some days are harder than others; some days are better than others too. I think the worst thing about leaving the law profession is losing the certainty of knowing where my life is headed.
Am I falling short of my potential by not being at least halfway through my second-year associate position? Is my career stalled indefinitely? Will it ever get back on track at this point?.
But then there are also moments when I remind myself how much happier I am now working from home, and setting my schedule and all those questions seem like trivial concerns in comparison with these newfound freedoms and pleasures.
Discover the transformative power of freelancing and how it can bring happiness and fulfillment to your life. Learn more about how freelancing made me a happier person and find inspiration to pursue your passion.
Clients Can Tell When You Don’t Know What You’re Doing
If you lack expertise in your industry, clients will sense it and run for the hills. If they can’t trust that you know what you’re doing, why would they hire your services? It’s one thing to be unfamiliar with a topic or area of practice; it’s another thing altogether to pretend like it doesn’t exist.
This is where I struggled early on in my freelance writing career: I had no clue how to write about law-related topics without sounding like an idiot who had no idea what he was talking about but I didn’t want my clients (law firms) wondering if this was true either.
In hindsight, though, being honest with myself would have made my learning curve much shorter and less stressful than trying to “fake” knowledge on all fronts by pretending that everything came easy for me (it didn’t).
Other Jobs Make Good Use Of Your Analytical Skills And Attention To Detail
You likely have a lot of analytical skills, but you just don’t realize it. When you’re working as a lawyer, your analytical abilities are focused on the details of the law and how to apply it in court cases. But many other jobs make great use of these same skills and this is true even if you don’t have any background or experience in those fields.
Here are some examples:
- If you like research, cataloging facts and figures can be very fulfilling (and lucrative). There’s always a need for people who can organize data into something useful and present it understandably.
- If you have good business sense, managing budgets will come naturally to you (just like making money). There are all kinds of businesses that need help with this kind of work from small startups to large corporations; from tiny nonprofits to big government programs.
- If your work on behalf of clients taught you how to remain calm under pressure and think through problems logically, then teaching might be right up your alley!
As long as there’s someone willing-and-able enough around who wants their kids taught by someone with excellent communication skills, patience and creativity then I would imagine teaching would suit them well.
Uncover the unexpected motivation that led me to leave my job and embark on a freelance journey. Find out the surprising reason why I quit my job to become a freelancer and gain insights into making bold career choices.
Some Days, You’ll Need To Convince Yourself That Your Life Is Now An Open-Ended Story, Not A Failure-Or-Success Drama
The most important thing to remember, no matter what you’re doing, is that this is not a zero-sum game. You will have good days and bad days. You will have good weeks and bad weeks. You will have good months and bad months. You will even have good years and bad years.
The point is not to be perfect it’s just not reasonable or possible for anyone to be perfect all the time. The goal is simply to do your best every day, without giving up when things aren’t going well (or even when they are).
The same principle applies to writing: No one writes a book in one sitting or publishes their first article on their first try; it takes time for skills to develop! Just take it slow at first…
It Helps To Have A “Little Black Book” Of Contacts And Friends In The Industry Who Have Made The Transition Successfully And Who Were Willing To Mentor You Along The Way
- Build a network of contacts and friends in the industry who have made the transition successfully and who were willing to mentor you along the way.
- Networking is an important part of landing a freelance writing job, but it’s even more crucial when you’re starting on your own.
You’ll want to expand your circle of contacts so that when you’re ready to find work, there are people out there who know about your skill set and can recommend you for jobs or projects.
- The best way to build this network is through personal connections with people with whom you interact on an ongoing basis and not just one-off events like going on an interview or meeting someone at a networking events (which can occasionally lead to great opportunities).
- You need mentors! If they aren’t readily available, then reach out and ask them if they’d be willing to help guide or advise as needed because nobody wants advice from just anybody they want it from experts who’ve been there themselves (and survived!).
You’ll Probably Start With A Lot Of Writing Jobs That Don’t Pay Well Or Very Much At All
As a budding freelance writer, you’ll likely have to work for free or for very little money at first. But don’t let this deter you from going after the career path of your dreams.
Instead of thinking of the various ways in which working on the cheap could be limiting your ability to grow into an established and respected writer, think about all that valuable experience that’s coming your way!
- You will get better at what you do. This is a given in any field, but especially true when it comes to writing and editing. The more work experience under your belt, the more comfortable (and confident!) you’ll feel going after bigger clients who can pay their bills (and yours).
- You will learn how to manage your time better than ever before and not just because tracking tasks against deadlines is one of the most basic skills required by all freelancers for them to succeed.
But also because spending some time on side projects (like writing fiction or blogging) while also holding down a full-time job tends towards chaotic scheduling at best… so learning how best organize yourself during these periods will make such situations easier come next year’s tax season!
- You’ll gain insight into how other people run their businesses which can help inform decisions related to both personal budgeting practices as well as future business ventures should something go awry later down the road ahead.”
Preparing for your first freelancing project? Enhance your chances of success with valuable tips and strategies. Explore our comprehensive guide on how to ace your first freelancing gig to navigate the initial challenges and make a positive impression.
You Might Want To Think About Learning How To Build Websites Or Manage Social Media
If you want to build your own business, it’s worth learning how to build websites and manage social media. Not only can these skills help you market yourself and your clients effectively, but they’re also important for avoiding costly mistakes in the future and they’ll give you a competitive edge over other freelancers who don’t have them.
I learned how to manage my website as an intern during law school. I didn’t know what SEO was at the time (or anything about web hosting), but I learned everything from YouTube tutorials, which is not as difficult as it sounds.
Now that I’m working full-time as a freelance writer, this skill has been invaluable for me professionally: I’ve used my website to promote myself; offer packages or specials for new clients, and drive traffic back into my email newsletter list (more on that later).
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for freelancers, especially when dealing with agency fatigue. Discover effective techniques and self-care practices to prevent burnout. Learn how freelancers can and should avoid agency fatigue for sustained success in your freelance career.
It’s Okay If People Make Fun Of Your Career Choice As Long As They Trust You At Work And Pay You On Time
You can still be a good lawyer, even if you start to hate practicing law. And you can still be a good writer, even if your job is not writing on the side.
But I don’t think it’s possible to be both at the same time at least not with any real consistency or satisfaction. Here’s why: It takes a lot of energy to make it as a lawyer and keep up with clients (and the high expectations they have for their attorneys), especially when those clients are paying your salary.
When there isn’t enough time in the day for all that work, then what happens? You end up resenting your job because it seems like something else is taking away from it: such as writing or anything else that could take away from being able to spend more hours working on client projects.
If this sounds familiar, I would urge you to consider whether quitting the law might be in your best interest even though friends and family members might question this decision.
You Might Find More Fulfillment In Work That Doesn’t Pay A Lot At First (Granting, Of Course, That Paying The Bills Is Not An Issue)
It’s not an easy thing to do, but you might find more fulfillment in work that doesn’t pay a lot at first (granting, of course, that paying the bills is not an issue). You’ll need to be able to live on what you make (and not spend more than you make) if your income level isn’t sufficient.
I want to emphasize this point: if your main motivation for becoming a writer is money because you’re interested in writing as a means of making money then it may be wise to hold off until after being a lawyer for a while.
Has your Upwork account been suspended? Understand the common reasons behind account suspensions and learn how to address them. Read our insightful article on why your Upwork account was suspended to regain access and maintain a thriving freelancing profile.
Final Thoughts
I hope that my freelance writing career advice has helped you feel more confident about leaping. Freelance writing is a wonderful profession that has brought me immense satisfaction, and I wish you all the best as you start your journey to becoming a successful freelance writer!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Why Quitting is Not a Dirty Word for Freelance Writers: Discover the importance of knowing when to quit as a freelance writer and how it can lead to better opportunities and personal growth.
Copyright, Plagiarism, Libel, Taxation, and Contracts for the Freelance Writer: Explore the legal and contractual aspects that freelance writers need to be aware of, including copyright protection, plagiarism prevention, tax considerations, and contractual agreements.
Why I Left Freelance Writing to Be a Rev Transcriptionist: Gain insights into why a freelance writer transitioned into a career as a transcriptionist and the unique advantages and opportunities it offers.
People Also Ask
How Much Do You Make As A Freelance Writer?
I make about $25 an hour as a freelance writer. I have also worked on some projects that paid me $50 per hour and some that paid me $100 per hour. You can make more or less depending on what kind of writing you do, who you work for, and how much experience you have.
What Do You Do All Day?
There are so many different things I do! Some days I’ll write content for clients, like blog posts or web pages. On other days I’ll write emails for clients because they’re too busy to handle customer service themselves.
Or maybe they need help with social media management or something else entirely it depends! But the thing is, it’s always interesting to work. When you get bored with one project, another one comes along and keeps things fresh.
How Did You Get Into Freelance Writing?
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember, and I knew from a young age that it was something I wanted to do. But I also knew that the law would allow me to make more money, so I decided to pursue a career in law, but still maintain my passion for writing as a hobby.
How Did You Start Making Money?
When I was practicing law, I started writing blog posts and articles on the side because it gave me something to enjoy outside of work.
Eventually, some of those articles caught the eye of major publications and websites, which offered me paid gigs. Once they started paying off, I realized that this could be a full-time gig for me if I wanted it to be and sure enough, my passion for writing eventually won over my passion for the law!
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Freelance Writer?
Answer: I love it! I make my schedule, I’m my boss, and I get to work from home. I don’t have to deal with office politics or long commutes. It’s also great for people who want to work from home but are worried about spending too much time alone (although that can be a problem too).
What’s The Best Way To Get Started As A Freelance Writer?
The best way to get started is to find a niche and start writing. You can do this by looking at what people are already writing about, then finding an angle that you think will be interesting and that you can deliver on. Once you’ve found that angle, make sure your writing is clear and concise, then submit your content!
What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need?
A computer and internet connection are all you need to start freelancing. If you’re doing anything particularly technical, such as writing code or programming, you may need to have some extra equipment on hand (like a laptop or tablet), but in general, all you need is a computer and internet connection.
Why Did You Leave The Law?
I never really loved the law, but I thought that it was a good career choice because it seemed stable and lucrative. But after a few years of practicing, I realized that it wasn’t for me. I wanted something more fulfilling and meaningful.
Writing has always been my passion and so when I had the opportunity to leave my job in law and start freelancing as a writer, I jumped at the chance.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Freelancing?
There are so many benefits to freelancing! The main one is flexibility: You get to work on your schedule, which means that you can take breaks whenever you want or need to without having to ask permission from anyone else (unless you have clients who require regular reports).
It also allows you to be present in life because instead of being stuck in an office every day from 9-5 with no social life outside of work, you’re out there meeting new people and doing things that interest you instead of just sitting at home watching Netflix all day like most people do when they’re not working full-time jobs.
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.
