What began as a leap into the unknown just 6 weeks before the UK went into its first lockdown, my journey into the world of freelance may have started at the most unconventional time, but has since become the most rewarding career imaginable. In this blog I’m reflecting on the highs, the lows, and everything in between that has shaped my freelance journey. Join me as I celebrate five fantastic years and look at the lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today.
What do I enjoy most about being freelance?
Let’s start with the easiest question to answer – what do I enjoy most about being freelance? It has been hard to narrow down just a few as there are far too many to mention. But here are my top 3!
I can make a cup of tea without having to do a tea round. Winning!
The very fact that I choose my own schedule without answering to another living soul still seems quite remarkable – I love nothing more than a 10am guilt-free massage!
Every Tuesday morning I volunteer at my son’s school. I enjoy it more than I probably should (and sometimes wish I could stay all day) and you know what, sometimes I do! Because there is no one to tell me otherwise…
What are my least favourite things about being freelance?
Is there a downside? Absolutely not! But if I had to pick my least favourite thing about working for myself, here are my top 3:
Computer issues are never something I enjoy fixing. When the internet goes down (and my husband is not working from home!) or I have problems with software updates, I miss having a little IT support team around me to help. It does mean that I have had to learn on the job whenever I come into difficulties, but it would be nice to have someone sort those problems out for me.
My inability to say no gets me in really big trouble. I am far too busy for a mum of two whose schedule says ‘part time’. I am so grateful for sheer volume of work I have coming my way, but if only I said ‘no’ a little more, I might just be able to have a night or two off a week.
I miss people making me tea. There, I said it.
What have I learnt about working from home?
For me, working from home came at the same time as going freelance. So a few months before the whole world was thrown into the chaos of the pandemic, I already had myself a little set up of working from home. So many people warned me prior to working from home that I would struggle with not being round other people because I am an extrovert. But they couldn’t have been more wrong!
I have learnt that I love my own company and actually it really makes me look forward to the buzz of the house when the children return home in the evening.
I love podcasts a little too much!
I love chatting to the postman who doesn’t realise he is probably the first person I have spoken to in hours.
And keeping on top of the washing is a personal win for working from home!
Who has helped me build my business into the success it is today?
Freelancing is a lot less isolating than you think when you surround yourself with other creatives. They not only bring out the best in you, but can support you when you need it most.
Fellow freelance graphic designer, videographer and animator Sydney – we collaborate on projects, we share work, we swap ideas, we ask each other for help, advice and guidance – we run our own businesses and then come together to support one another whenever we need.
Photography extraordinaire The Life Narrator. I bring Hannah along with me on every project. She is my ‘go to’ photographer as I trust her, her vision and her ability to know what I want and how to capture it. She doesn’t even get a brief from me any more, she really just ‘gets it’.
What advice would I give someone wanting to take the plunge and go freelance?
In the words of John Le Carré, “There are always a dozen reasons for doing nothing and there is only one reason for doing something. And that’s because you want to.”
If you have ever thought about it, questioned it, been in a position where you struggle to face the day ahead, then my advice would always be to just give it a go. My decision to go freelance was based purely on circumstance, but good fortune made it possible for me to feel brave enough to realise that there was no going back. And the same can be said for you too.
So go on, what are you waiting for?
Here’s to five years of independence, creativity, and the many more years of independent working!