Freelancing is a great gig. The flexibility, the ability to set your own schedule and the freedom to choose what types of clients you want to work with these are all great things about freelancing!
But it’s not all fun and games. Though I love what I do for a living, there are some things that I’m not a fan of:
| Takeaways |
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| 1. Identifying Pain Points: The article highlights various aspects of freelancing that can be challenging or frustrating, helping readers identify potential pain points in their own freelancing journey. |
| 2. Learning from Experience: By sharing personal experiences and dislikes, the blog offers valuable insights and lessons learned, which can benefit both aspiring and experienced freelancers. |
| 3. Navigating Freelancing Challenges: Readers can gain a better understanding of common challenges faced by freelancers and explore strategies to overcome or mitigate them. |
| 4. Realistic Expectations: The blog encourages setting realistic expectations about freelancing, acknowledging that it isn’t always smooth sailing, but it can still be a rewarding career choice. |
| 5. Building Resilience: By discussing the things one may hate about freelancing, the article indirectly emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in this career path. |
I Work On Every Holiday
Unless you’re a writer or musician with a day job, you likely don’t have much flexibility in your schedule.
Unlike in the corporate world, where your boss can give you two weeks off for the holidays, freelancers are expected to work on them.
And not just on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve you’ll find yourself working any holiday that comes up regardless of whether it falls on a weekday or weekend.
It doesn’t stop there either: Your clients expect you to work every single day of their business hours (which may be as long as they want).
If they need something done during their lunch break but can’t reach someone in time, guess who gets a call? You guessed right: That’d be you!
And then when they’re done eating and ready to work again…guess who gets another call? That’d also be you!
It doesn’t matter if it’s Thanksgiving dinner with family or Halloween parties with friends if anyone wants anything done at any point during those days, guess what?
Yup: Those would also fall under your job description too!
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My Wife Also Works From Home
If you’re lucky, your spouse will also work from home. If not, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.
The thing about working from home is that it can be very isolating and lonely.
When I was freelancing full-time, my wife used to tell me all the time how much she appreciated me because she could go into our house and be alone with her thoughts for a few minutes. Without feeling guilty about having some space apart from me (and without having to deal with any kind of office politics).
But I’ve learned that once we started working together on projects together regularly, it became harder to keep work life separate from home life when we were both in the same physical location.
You have to set boundaries between the two spaces and communicate those boundaries clearly so that you know what’s OK and what’s off-limits during certain times of day or night at each location.
The Home Office Is Where I Pay Bills, Eat, Fold Laundry And Watch Tv
The home office is where I pay bills, eat, fold laundry and watch TV. It’s also where I manage my email inbox and respond to client inquiries.
While freelancers can take advantage of their flexible schedules to be productive anywhere from the airport lounge to a coffee shop, there are times when having a dedicated workspace is helpful.
The problem is that I don’t have one anymore not just because of my career change but also because it would be difficult for me to keep track of all the different tasks that need doing throughout the day if I tried working from home again.
I Have To Be In Front Of The Computer For, Like, Ever
You know how watching TV is a great way to relax? Well, working from home is not like that.
I used to be able to take breaks and go for walks or go out with friends whenever I wanted. Now my whole day revolves around being in front of the computer for 8 hours.
I’m constantly looking up things on Google or making notes about what needs to get done next, so even if I don’t feel like working on something at this particular moment, it feels like it’s too late.
I’ve already wasted precious time checking social media accounts (which are filled with all sorts of negatives) and going down rabbit holes of negative news stories (which are also filled with all sorts of negatives).
And then there’s the fact that when I do finally sit down at my desk, most days I have multiple tabs open with various tasks related to work but none ready enough yet to get started…
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Weekends Are All-Work-No-Play. A Lot Of Times, At Least
There are a lot of great things about freelancing. You get to set your schedule, and you have the freedom to work from home or anywhere else that’s convenient for you.
But there are some aspects of freelancing that aren’t so great, too. One of those things is that weekends are all-work-no-play most of the time.
I know it might sound silly to complain about being busy with work on the weekend, but I think it’s important for your mental health and even your physical health to take some time off from work during the weekend.
There’s no better feeling than knowing you can take Monday off without feeling guilty about missing out on any potential earnings!
Sometimes I Work At Night Too
If you can, working at night is a great way to minimize distractions and focus on your work.
But if you don’t have the right tools or attitude, working at night might not be so great.
If you’re like me, sometimes it’s hard enough just to find time in a day where I can concentrate.
So if I’m up late at night, chances are I’ll probably fall asleep in front of my computer before getting much done anyway!
And then when morning comes around and all my colleagues start emailing questions about their projects… well… that’s pretty annoying too!
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If There’s A Family Emergency, I Can’t Just Pick Up And Go There’s A Business To Run!
You might think that if you’re a freelancer, you can just close the door and go on a business trip whenever you want.
But unfortunately, that’s not how it works. If there is a family emergency (such as your parents getting in a car accident), then I have to be available for my family.
Because they need me. Family emergencies are stressful enough under normal circumstances; adding the stress of having to work around someone else’s schedule makes things even worse!
It’s Harder To Shut The Door On A Bad Day When The Door Is Right Outside Your Office Window
You can’t hide from your bad days. That door that was once a physical barrier between you and the rest of the world is now just a window to the outside world.
You can see everything going on outside, but now you’re also visible to everyone else too.
It’s hard for me to shut the door on a bad day when my office has a window overlooking the street below me.
If I’m having a terrible day, it’s harder to not let others hear about it or even worse see it! I keep my mind busy by working on other projects or starting new ones so that I don’t have time to focus on how badly my current project is going (or not going).
Even If Your Kids Are In School All Day, You Still Need Childcare Almost Every Day If You Want To Do Your Job Well
This is the most important point on this list. Even if your kids are in school all day, you still need childcare almost every day if you want to do your job well.
Why? Because even though you’re working from home and not going into an office, there are so many distractions waiting for you.
You can’t always get away from the computer or even turn off your phone because answering emails and calls promptly is part of doing business well.
If a client needs something ASAP and they don’t hear back from you right away, they might think that’s just how freelancers operate: slow and unreliable!
So even when it seems like there aren’t any clients around, it’s important to set aside time for yourself which includes taking care of yourself physically (eating/sleeping) and mentally (reading books).
But more importantly, than anything else is being able to focus on one task at a time without distraction so that way I’m able to give my best work possible.
Instead of just rushing through everything quickly and then realizing later I could have done better if only I had taken more time with each task individually before moving onto another one.
If you’ve taken a break from freelancing, getting back into the game might seem daunting. But fear not! Discover how one freelancer got back on track without leaving the comfort of their home office. Read about how I got back into freelancing without ever leaving my desk for some valuable tips.
There’s No Team Huddle Where We Discuss What’s Coming Up And What Priorities Should Look Like This Week
There are days when I feel like I’m running the only team in my business. It’s not that my clients aren’t great people I love working with them!
But they don’t always know what they need from me or when they need it by, which means that I have to be constantly on my toes to get things done on time and at a high-quality level.
No one else will be there to help you out when you’re stuck, but here are some tips so that you can get back on track:
I have no idea how much my services are worth because there isn’t some magical set rate for web content.
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I Know There’s A Lot Of Information Out There About What The “Average” Freelance Rate Is For Web Content. But I Don’t Think That’s Helpful
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to figure out your worth as a writer or designer or coder, these jobs all have different variables and require different skill sets.
So when I started freelancing, I had no idea how much my skills were actually worth what was typical? What were people paying? How much should I charge?
There isn’t any magic formula for figuring this out; you just have to do the research yourself (and honestly assess your abilities).
Look at sites like Freelancer and Upwork, where clients post jobs they need to be done.
Read their descriptions carefully so you can make sure that it aligns with what YOU are offering don’t just jump right in without knowing what exactly is being asked!
Sometimes I Get Overwhelmed By All The Things I Think I Need To Do To Promote My Business
It can be overwhelming to have so many things to do, and you may feel like you don’t know where to start. You might not even know where your business is going.
If that’s the case, I recommend starting with these three steps:
- Define what success looks like for your career and business. What does success mean for you? How will you know when it happens? What does it look like?
- Establish a plan for achieving those goals. Make sure this plan is specific and realistic and measurable!
- Get started on at least one little thing every day until it gets done (and then repeat).
This strategy works for almost anything in life, whether it’s building a house or writing a book or losing weight…or any other project that requires sustained effort over time
It’s hard for me to quit working for the day when it involves walking into the next room where my computer is sitting in plain view under a pile of unfolded laundry
I have a hard time knowing when to stop. It’s like a puzzle that just won’t solve itself, and there are so many pieces!
I’m always working on something, whether that means finishing up some last-minute edits or brainstorming new blog posts and marketing ideas. The work never ends!
The more time goes by, the more I realize that freelancing is not just an awesome way to make money from home it also requires an entirely different mindset.
If you’re thinking about going freelance, here are some things you can expect: Your brain will never turn off again;
Your house will always be messy because it feels like every minute spent cleaning would be better spent either making money or working on something related to your business; every single second counts if you want success as soon as possible;
All of those dreams of having kids may go out the window pretty quickly…and if they don’t go out immediately after starting your business? Well maybe they went out earlier but no one told them yet!
Conclusion
If, like me, you’re already in the freelance game, please know that I’m not here to scare you away.
My hope is simply to help you be realistic about what it takes to make this lifestyle work and keep it working.
If you’re thinking of jumping into the freelancing world anytime soon, I want to encourage you to take a good look at your daily habits and your life overall to figure out how it might change once you’re working for yourself.
And if this post has made you rethink whether or not freelancing is right for you? That’s okay! There are a lot of other ways to make money from home.
And plenty of them isn’t nearly as hard as being a self-employed entrepreneur.
Further Reading
Why I’ll Never Freelance Ever Again: A personal account of one individual’s decision to leave freelancing behind and the reasons behind their choice.
Things to Know About Freelancing: A comprehensive guide outlining essential things every freelancer should be aware of before diving into the freelancing world.
Things Freelancers Hate: Discover the common pain points and challenges that many freelancers face in their career, and learn how to tackle them effectively.
FAQs
What are the benefits of freelancing?
Freelancing offers various benefits, including flexible work hours, the opportunity to be your own boss, and the potential to earn more based on your skills and performance.
How can I overcome the challenges of freelancing?
To overcome the challenges of freelancing, consider building a strong support network, staying disciplined with time management, and continuously improving your skills.
What are some popular freelancing platforms to find work?
Popular freelancing platforms include Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, and Toptal, where you can find various freelance opportunities in different industries.
How do I determine my freelance rates?
Setting freelance rates depends on factors like your experience, skill level, project complexity, and market demand. Research industry standards and assess your value to determine fair rates.
Is freelancing suitable for everyone?
Freelancing may not be the best fit for everyone. It requires self-discipline, time management skills, and the ability to handle uncertainty and fluctuating income. Evaluate your preferences and work style to determine if freelancing aligns with your goals.
How Do I Get Paid?
Payment for your work is made through PayPal. You’ll be paid weekly, at the beginning of the week after your completed work is delivered.
What If I Want To Change My Rate?
You can change your rate at any time just log into your account, click “my settings” on the menu bar, then choose “rate.” You can also send an email to [email address] with any questions or concerns!
What Is The Difference Between An Intern And A Freelance Worker? Is There Any Difference?
Freelancing is like being an intern, but without the benefits of a job contract, or being able to leave your desk without being yelled at. Also, you don’t get paid as much.
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.