Does Freelancing Make You Happy?
Posted November 12, 2009 in Inspiration, Lifestyle 69 Comments »
Has freelancing made you happy?
Recently I read an article stating that the self-employed are happier than other folks. Was the article right? Does self-employment equal happiness?
If you are new to freelancing, you may not be able to answer that question. However, if you’ve been freelancing for a year or more, then you probably already have a pretty good idea of whether or not you are cut out for freelancing.
I can think of a lot of good reasons why freelancers might be happier than other people.
Happy Benefits of Freelancing
The freelancing lifestyle offers an amazing number of benefits for freelancers. Here are a few of the benefits and their happy consequences:
- No commute = no morning traffic
- Work alone = no clashes with colleagues or managers
- Set your own hours = gives you back your time
- Choose your projects = creative control
- Dress how you want = no $$$ spent on work wardrobe
- Determine your own rates = unlimited income potential
- Work from home = no cubicle and maybe a window
- No boss = no possibility of getting down-sized
- No colleagues = no office politics
- Providing services or goods = satisfaction from helping people directly
- No rules = your pet can come to work
- Multiple clients = a variety of different types of work
- Internet = abundant information source
After reading that list you might be tempted to think that all those benefits meant that just about every freelancer is happy with their choice to be a freelancer. However, that’s not the case. Not everyone is suited to freelancing.
In fact, those who aren’t suited to freelancing can be pretty miserable. I read unhappy gripes and rants on freelancing forums and blogs nearly every day.
Sad Stressors of Freelancing
For those who aren’t well-equipped to freelance (but who find themselves freelancing anyway), there are plenty of aspects of freelancing to cause stress. In fact, for every happy freelancing benefit it almost seems that there’s a corresponding stressor.
Here are some factors that cause freelancers stress and their unhappy consequences:
- Work alone = loneliness
- Set your own hours = time management problems
- Choose your projects = difficulty finding clients
- Determine your own rates = uncertainty as to what is a fair rate
- Work from home = additional distractions
- No boss = trouble deciding what to do
- No colleagues = a feeling of isolation
- No rules = fear of making a mistake
- Multiple clients = being overloaded
- No company perks = no insurance or paid days off
- Internet = information overload
- Self-employment = bookkeeping and accounting tasks
- Some clients = scams
So, Are You Happier as a Freelancer?
As you can probably see, there are plenty of freelancing benefits to make you happy, if you’re cut out for freelancing. However, there are also plenty of stressors associated with freelancing.
My take is that individual freelancers ARE happier than most people IF freelancing is right for them. (I, for one, would have a hard time giving my freelancing career up.)
For some individuals, though, the stressors are just too much and they would really be much happier in a traditional job (and that’s okay too).
Your Turn
We’ve discussed both the benefits of freelancing and the stressors of freelancing.
What do you think?
Are freelancers happier?
Are YOU happier?
Leave your answers in the comments.
Image by crystalflickr
About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 19 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts
-
2009 is ending. 2010 marks the start of a brand new year.
[Read More...]
For some, this new year will mark the… -
If you know a lot about freelancing, then you know that there are a lot of things that can make…
[Read More...] -
What does it mean, exactly, to be a freelancer?
[Read More...]
This is one of the toughest questions that we freelancers have…
The Unlimited Freelancer is Now Only $19
Unleash the true potential of your business. Get The Unlimited Freelancer and start transforming your freelance business,
now only $19.
Try searching "Getting Clients" or "Productivity"
FreelanceCommunity
Free Resource: Massive Web UI and Button Set
This is a free photoshop set provided by MediaLoot with hundreds of free buttons, boxes, and other useful web elements.5 Fresh and Useful jQuery Plugins Were Born in November 2009
In November 2009, 5 jQuery plugins were born that are new and useful for web designers. Read this post to learn more.How Well Do You Understand CSS Positioning?
The css position property seems easy to grasp, but it works a little differently than it appears on the surface.
Free Report
Sign up for our product discount list to get a free copy of Why Some Freelancers Thrive and Others Barely Survive. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Popular Articles
- SEO Techniques All Top Websites Should Use
- When a Client Can't Afford You: Why It's Still Better to Bid High
- How To Stop Scrambling For Clients And Get A Steady Stream Of Paying Gigs
- A Simple Way To Stop Clients From Rejecting Your Proposals
- 3 Reasons Your Rates Are Still Low (And How To Start Raising Them)
69 Comments
goldendog
November 12th, 2009 at 9:42 amYou are correct in your general assumption one size does not fit all in the work place.
Interesting that for most of the benefits of freelancing you listed refer to working from home. There are many people who are employees who either work full time or part of the time from a home office. They face the same challenges and benefits of a home based office.
Then there are freelancers who go on site to work for a client, who are so fully integrated into the work place it is hard to distinguish them from an employee.
Then there is that blurry line especially with creatives between being a small business working directly for a business as a consultant and working as a freelancer who joins a team of other creatives to work on projects either in house or through a larger firm.
Freelancing has so many forms it comes down to does the “flexibility” bring to you a good quality of work/life balance or not. For it is this unstructured, no guarantees, flexibility that is at the heart of freelancing. There are those that chafe at this while others thrive.
So for me I have been freelancing since 1981. As in all jobs there are good and bad sides to it. I am one of those that thrives and even requires the flexibility that freelancing brings to me.
Lisa
November 12th, 2009 at 10:07 amThe toughest part of freelancing has been finding clients. CMS systems allow the client to do his/her own updates so I mostly work with clients for a short time. Unless you aggressively market yourself (my weakness), it’s tough to constantly find new clients.
Melek
November 12th, 2009 at 10:09 amI’m definitely happier as a freelancer. I took a break from freelancing when I moved to a different state and took a “real job”….after 3 weeks, I put in my 2 weeks notice bc I didn’t like the commute, working for someone else, and believe it or not, I was more lonely in an office full of people than I was working alone at home.
It’s a different kind of job/lifestyle that requires a lot of different things from the freelancer. But, if you’re up for it, it’s the best job out there.
Sharon Hurley Hall
November 12th, 2009 at 10:21 amLaura, this is another great post. I’m a happy freelancer, but the stressors have affected me at various times. When I started freelancing, the uncertainty of getting work and knowing what rates to set were a problem. Then there was the problem of overload and burnout. Now I have a more balanced approach, so the number one stressor is distractions from people who don’t realise that although you are at home, you are working.
dava
November 12th, 2009 at 10:28 amI am still freelancing part time, but can answer that it does, indeed, make me happy. It makes me happy to have projects that are exciting for me. When I am working on a piece of writing, it sits in the back of my head no matter what else I am doing. Finding the right combinations of words and sentences is like a puzzle that my occupies the creative part of my mind while the rest of my brain does the more routine chores of my 9-5 job.
Doing work that you find fulfilling and interesting is the key, no matter if it is freelance work or working for a company. Nice article (again), Laura, you always make me think!
Laura Spencer
November 12th, 2009 at 10:40 amThese are really thoughtful answers. (I can always count on the Freelance Folder community for that!)
It’s definitely true that not everyone has the same freelancing experience, or reacts to it the same way.
Keep sharing your thoughts!
Juliet
November 12th, 2009 at 11:05 amHi Laura
I think for me the most difficult transition was the Social Media side of things. It is still rather a source of discomfort. Perhaps for others too it would be quite a change.
Linked to this I suppose is another part of self-employment i.e. marketing. I feel a many freelancers just aren’t prepared for that one.
Juliet
Marlene
November 12th, 2009 at 11:29 amI’m totally happy. Eery day, I feel like I’m living the dream – for all of the reasons you mentioned! However, I totally agree about it not being for everyone. I think two very important criteria for enjoying and succeeding at freelancing are:
1. Comfort with risk. I am not a worrier, but I can imagine that the potential ebb and flow of work would make a more anxious person really lose it. Not knowing where your income is coming from a few months or weeks down the road is not something everyone can live with.
2. Entrepreneurial spirit/business orientation. I’m totally ok with all of the non-creative aspects of freelancing, including business planning, marketing, sales, bookkeeping, project and time management, etc. I’ve done it all as an employee before, so doing it for myself is much more rewarding…and I even like it!
I suppose a third point, related to #2 is being very goal-oriented. It really helps with focus and staying on the path to success!
Lexi Rodrigo
November 12th, 2009 at 11:50 amI’m certainly happier now as a freelancer. My former co-workers laugh when I tell them about the most stressful parts of my day now. It’s a far cry from the stressors I had when I was working in an office full-time.
My kids and hubby are happier too. It must be awesome to come home to a house smelling of brownies, don’t you agree?
I do miss the personal interaction with co-workers who’ve become lifelong friends. But life is all about trade-offs.
Lexi
Felipe Buenano
November 12th, 2009 at 12:24 pmFor me… well, it is very difficult .. as I came out from college just recently. I have experience both sides of the coin. Here is where I am: undecided
I really believe in the advantage of working on your own. Since, you never know when your boss is going to come up to you and say: “You are an excellent, passionate, hard-working and cool employee.. However, we have to let you go!! Then, where does all the hard work and effort go??? Nowhere. What if this happens to me a couple of years down the road with a wife and kids.
In the other hand, my former supervisors have always highlighted that I am a very independent and reliable individual. But what if you can’t find good clients, and most importantly, where am I going to take my career… there are so many choices… which one is the best???
I really believe what the article ultimately suggests!! Its great to be a freelancer if you are fitted to it… so in my mind is.. am I really good for it??
Laura Spencer
November 12th, 2009 at 12:56 pmGreat feedback on this one.
For those of you who are wondering about freelancing, but not quite committed, there’s always this: you’ll never know unless you try.
If you need to, you can always start off as a part-time freelancer and transition to full-time when you are sure.
Keep sharing your experiences. I believe that we are all learning from them.
Lisa Jackson Design
November 12th, 2009 at 1:17 pmI love freelancing. All my clients are local. I don’t use these silly online services that only post clients not willing to pay anything. I am great at selling my services to clients face-to-face at my dining room table. I am always here for my kids.
The downsides are that when my house is a mess, I have a very messy office and cannot work well, and that I can’t escape the house and family when I need to concentrate.
Ilija Brajkovic
November 12th, 2009 at 1:36 pmI am more than happy being freelancer. I am still a student, and I hope most of my life I will be able to be a freelancer.
Harry
November 12th, 2009 at 1:42 pmI have done both and for me it really comes down to finances. I support my family of four and when the clients tapered off and job offers came in, I returned to the working fray.
To answer the question, YES, freelancing makes me happy. I was able to drop my kids off at school in the morning, I took an office in a creative space with interesting people, and I acted as the Producer of all of my projects which was rewarding. I still had a commute, but I didn’t have set hours so there was no stress to get there on time.
If I could sign multiple guaranteed, long term clients, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I am currently at a job that I like, and I still have freelance clients on the side, so it’s almost the best of both worlds.
Michel
November 12th, 2009 at 1:52 pmYes, freelance makes me happy!
I am graphic and Web designer, and I can work happily from home (or from any Starbucks, if I have my trusty ThinkPad with me;-) and this freedom makes me really happy! :-)
I would wish to everyone out there, still wondering if he/she should try freelance: Yes, by all means, try! This may change your life! :-)
Jon
November 12th, 2009 at 1:58 pmThe 2+ years that I was working for myself was probably the most enjoyable work experience I have ever had! Despite not paying myself very much, 16+ hours a day, weekends, long trips, etc., I loved every minute of it.
I am back working for an employer (but contracting), and that does have it’s perks – steady paycheck, low stress, nothing to worry about after 5pm – it’s by far not as fulfilling as working for myself.
Freelancing / entrepreneurship is definetly not for everyone, but if you figure it out and make it work, it’s great!
Thanks for all of your insightful posts!
Daisy
November 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pmI think freelancers are definitely happier, setting your own hours sure is appealing! But it’s scary when you’ve been employed for many years and are thinking about branching out, not having a solid paycheque coming in can be extremely stressful.
Richelle
November 12th, 2009 at 3:36 pmFreelance definitely makes me happy – the whole independant, your time, freedom thing without being tied down to schedules, 10 days of leave, office politics… HOWEVER i miss working in an office full of people and other struggles are finding clients, knowing the right rate without wanting to loose the opportunity to get the job, and yes … internet often = information overload!
Richelle
November 12th, 2009 at 3:37 pmand the other hard part i forgot to mention is the lack of perks with working for an employer like health benefits etc… but but but freelancing and the freedom that comes with it, you being your own boss, creative freedom in choices – certainly outways the sad aspects!
Harry
November 12th, 2009 at 4:04 pmWhen I was strictly freelance for a few years I missed the collaboration with other artist and the daily discussions about new fads, software, etc.
This was all before online social networking so I guess it wouldn’t be as bad now.
Amber Weinberg
November 12th, 2009 at 4:31 pmI’m definitely happier as a freelancer, versus a full-time employee, that’s not to say I don’t have times where I want to pull out my hair and through the lappy through my mini office window :)
Matt Keegan
November 12th, 2009 at 5:21 pmFreelancing makes me delirious.
Even on my toughest day, working for myself is better than working for The Man. I control much of how my day goes and I can handle most interruptions without going crazy.
I do miss interacting with my peers which is something I try to fill by attending conferences from time to time. Still, it sure is nice not having to run out of the house especially on days like today when the weather outside is frightful.
Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor)
November 12th, 2009 at 5:41 pmI’m happy! ~:-)
Preparing to expand in the New Year~ not too much tho, enjoy my downsized lifestyle.
Ed Gandia
November 12th, 2009 at 6:44 pmI love being a freelancer! And I knew I’d love being one when I was selling on the road years ago and was given the freedom to set my own schedule and do my own thing. Of course, I was paid on performance. Not only that, but if I didn’t perform, I’d lose my job.
I found that I loved that kind of latitude. Tell me what kind of results you want and let me get them for you. But don’t micromanage me and dictate how I need to go about it.
If you enjoy that kind of independence and the rewards that come from seeing your ideas work, then freelancing can be a great path.
Excellent post! Pretty much summarizes the pros and cons of this biz.
Laura Spencer
November 12th, 2009 at 6:51 pmEveryone seems to have an opinion about this — that’s good (I think).
I love the freelancing stories that everyone is sharing here.
In general, it sounds like most of you are happy to be freelancers. (But then again, this IS Freelance Folder.)
Anna
November 12th, 2009 at 9:07 pmFreelancing make me happy, there are trade-off from being a full time employee but I do enjoy what I’ve been doing. I’ve been freelancing since 2005 and I’ve never been happy!
dp
November 12th, 2009 at 10:16 pmfreelance is better except for the fact that I can’t make enough money. But isn’t that the reason I’m working? to make money? Conundrum. -dp
Lillie Ammann
November 13th, 2009 at 12:04 amI can’t imagine working for someone else. In my 40+ year working life, I spent only the first five or six years as an employee. Since then I have either owned/operated my own business or freelanced.
Freelancing is the best because I’m not faced with making payroll every week and managing 15 to 20 employees every day. The only stressor I face as a freelancer is being overloaded.
Lis Sowerbutts
November 13th, 2009 at 4:25 amMy only regret is that I didn’t start 20 years ago! Freedom is indeed priceless – and making an online income its pretty darn close to freedom. I never have to wear clothese I don’t like any more (or shoes!) – I don’t have to be nice to crappy people, I don’t have to commute, I don’t have to get out of bed unless i feel like it.
Yeah the income is done and sometimes erratic – but freelancing = freedom in my book
Mike
November 13th, 2009 at 5:01 amI did a bit of freelance work whilst I was still at Uni, and I have to say I enjoyed it. I think though from working in a design company now I’m happy that I’m not currently freelancing. One of the main reasons for this is what I can learn from the company and my colleagues in terms of technical skills etc, and I wouldn’t have that kind of support on my own.
Heather Villa
November 13th, 2009 at 6:09 amI love the freedom of freelancing. Not having to sit in traffic back and forth to an office is wonderful.
However, all jobs have stress of some kind. The trick is in finding the kind of stress you can handle. Not everyone is cut out to be a freelancer. And not everyone is cut out to work in an office environment.
crazy wabbit
November 13th, 2009 at 8:01 amMoney makes me happy. Designing makes me happy, connect the two with lots of clients that pay on time and respect you for what you do and value your work, then yes I am happy.
Amanda Lawton
November 13th, 2009 at 10:35 amThe offsite aspect of freelancing makes me happy as find I can’t be, for certain, creative in the 9-5 space. Not like an actor – cue the creative bit. It relieves loads of the pressure within a studio environment where you have to have a result at 4:30pm, because the boss has been looking over your shoulder all day :)
Jennifer Moline, PsPrint
November 13th, 2009 at 2:47 pmThis is an interesting read, since I just posted a blog about happiness in your work, as well: http://blog.psprint.com/freelance/career-vs-job-matter/
My take on it was: How important is it to be happy in your work, and in this recession, do you need to have a fulfilling career, or taking on a job to pay the bills acceptable?
I definitely agree that your question does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. Too many people stress about other people’s — parents, peers — expectations, when really, you just have to do what’s right for you, and that might involve a “boring,” traditional job.
George Passwater
November 13th, 2009 at 4:06 pmI am much happier now that I am freelancing vs commuting and working for someone else. I have more opportunities to do more for my kids and sometimes help them on events at their school.
There are those things like finding clients, distractions at home and sometimes blurring the lines of working vs off time. It’s not for everyone, but I wouldn’t trade it for going back to the grind.
Laura Spencer
November 13th, 2009 at 8:40 pmThanks to everyone who took the time to answer the question. :-)
bharat
November 14th, 2009 at 2:11 pmhi,
i’m a postgrad in computers wid a yrs exp. i’ve workd wid contact centres early in my career to fund my edu & carrier in IT. i was workin wid a co. here in india buy in 11 months i quit coz of workload, timings and low pay…it got me a bit sad as i’ve invested lots and workd lot harder then my colleagues etc..
but after i left i think it was great that i workd and great that i left in time…if it would have been later then i’d lost my health n wud hav been even more depressed…
currently i freelance thru acquiantenances…pay is much much low than a job but its peaceful…
regards and best wishes to all …
Ted Goas
November 14th, 2009 at 7:57 pmThis is a great roundup. I think when you get used to freelancing, setting rates and deciding on projects comes easier.
I think you do have a boss though: every client is your boss. I didn’t like being pulled in a lot of different directions all the time and am in the process of transitioning from freelance to corporate gig myself.
David
November 14th, 2009 at 8:25 pmI think Lisa Jackson Design (commenter) just hit on the same point I’m having a hard time with. The freelancing online services have such a high rate of working for someone who is either hard to work with or wants to exploit you.
That’s why I prefer working in a company or belong to a group of freelancers where we can distribute work. True being alone and undecided is a vast punch to your professional skills because it stalls your growth as a professional.
I believe I still be needing more time to become accustomed to freelancing… but keep in mind that I’m mostly disappointed and quite annoyed with some clients that just wants hours of work to be charged only 100 bucks or 30 bucks and dares to ask you more. Which is why all this freelancing business keeps me in a bad mood.
A commenter here said in a company you can grow professionally, I believe this is true. And more if you are a programmer, there are seniors and your team that can help you and troubleshoot you(not all the time of course since the company is paying you to work not ask).
@Freelancer Folder: You should ask who have it easier, a graphic artist (webdesigner, etc etc) or a programmer?
Alma
November 14th, 2009 at 8:44 pmI like working freelance. I also teach part time. I think the one aspect of it that really makes me happy is that I get to really know my clients. We become partners and because they see it as a partnership, they tend to be very considerate when it comes to asking for changes or things like that.
I also like being at home and the flexibility of rearranging my workspace any time I want. Like today, I have been moving my studio to another floor in the house and it does not bother anybody. I also like that my family see my freelancing practice as a family thing. We all do it, from cooking to sketching we are all involved.
It is of course stressful when there are slow times and there are no benefits that an employer pays for you. But it all evens out at the end somehow… :-)
Rochelle Dancel
November 14th, 2009 at 8:49 pmI have the best of both worlds. I was freelancing for a client who then wanted to make the arrangement permanent. So I spend a couple of days a week in their office on a permanent part-time basis, so I get the benefits and get to be around people and work on projects without leaving when I’ve finished. The rest of the week I spend freelancing, so it is possible to have all the benefits of both worlds!!
Emma Rose
November 14th, 2009 at 9:10 pmI definitely enjoy freelancing, but do miss the interaction of work mates, someone to bounce ideas off. That’s probably flitter in and out my freelancing role and take a few contracting jobs when they come up.
I’m have a part time flexi-hour contractor at the moment. The rest of the time I freelance and study. This works great for me. My contract work is flexible and gives me a blast of social interaction in the office. My freelance projects are usually more creative and I find it easier to research and try new things out. At home I don’t have the pressure of mangers thinking your time wasting and messing about.
My best advice to people like me it so stay flexible and enjoy the ride, because sometime when freelancing you never know where it might take you.
creativezazz
November 14th, 2009 at 9:45 pmBiggest pluses of freelance: going to yoga or the gym mid morning; not having to go to so meetings where not much got done; not as much office politics. Biggest plus of regular job: colleagues; steady paycheck; office parties; a desk my kids & husband cannot access.
Frambwaze
November 14th, 2009 at 10:24 pmI’m a freelancer and I work full-time in a business that wants me to be on the site every day from 9 to 5. There is indeed, just as GoldenDog said before, a thin line between the consultant and the employee in those businesses. I’ld say it’s an interesting experience but the stabiliy isn’t easy to get. Otherwise, if you can sell yourself enough, I think there is always someone ready to get their website, business card or logo done. Thing is, you have to be polyvalent and up-to-date with technology so your clients might come back for many different projects.
Jason Holland Design
November 14th, 2009 at 10:27 pmThe challenge I find is having others to bounce ideas off of. As a designer, I find myself heading down one track or another without having someone to critique my work. While I enjoy the freedom of freelancing, there is something to be said for having a critiques from your peers.
Theme Coupon Codes
November 14th, 2009 at 11:21 pmWith freelancing I can wear Pajamas at my desk! I would never go back to working for someone else.
Working for someone else is like renting a house, you don’t get anything in return apart from a bit of money… Soon as you quit or get fired you have nothing… Its best to work for yourself in the long run.
Bahar
November 14th, 2009 at 11:25 pmActually I am happy, I have build a team of 3 freelancing developers, i am not alone :) I left my traditional job, as i hate routine based work…Now as a freelancer, I work when I want..
Lucian
November 15th, 2009 at 3:50 pmI wake up every morning excited about the work I do. Freelancing is one of the best things has happened in my life. The ability to control your hourly rate, choose the projects to work on and your freedom are unbeatable compared with a fulltime job.
Laura
November 15th, 2009 at 5:46 pmDefinately much happier being a freelancer! I constantly need a challenge, meet new people, develop and apply new ideas and learn new things. As a graphic designer, I have learnt and developed myself far much more than being employed by someone – and have learnt so much more about the business side of things. Don’t get me wrong, it is alot of hard work – you probably have to work twice as hard to begin with, but it is so much more rewarding. However, I do agree that it is a job that suits some and not others – me it definately suits. You have to be able to have the confidence inside yourself to know that this is going to work for you and also know that you have to apply yourself – it requires alot of hardwork so freelancing is not suitable if your lazy! Don’t expect to go freelancing, sit on your chair and expect the clients to come to you!
I know so many people out there that are sucked into the security that a job gives them and stay in jobs that make them unhappy. To me you have to be happy, passionate and love what you do – you also need that free will to allow yourself to develop. If your job makes you unhappy, you have to start questioning why and get yourself out. Before I started freelancing I was unhappy in my job as there was no room for progression, my job became unchallenging and unfulling, and I found myself at a standstill. I decided to take the bull by the horns and do something about it and so went freelancing fulltime. I have never looked back and have never been happier. I definately recommend it to anyone!!
Aliff Afiq
November 15th, 2009 at 11:59 pmHi laura,
I started freelancing when i was studying in the universities.Ive done many jobs since then.
I feel wonderful & im much happier now because of freelancing.
It’s help me with the side income.
Dojo
November 16th, 2009 at 9:48 amI am a freelancer for 3 months now. Fulltime, used to work “part time” since I liked my radio job. Well, the radio closed and I was faced with a difficult decision: go at another radio station for a small salary or take my business seriously and work till I drop.
I chose the last option.
I am working on elance mostly and of course “fish” clients wherever I can. It’s been 3 months already and I LOVE IT.
Right now I am in my pijamas. It’s raining outside, it’s cold. Even my dogs hate getting out for their “business”. Imagine my pleasure. Well. I don’t have to. I worked for some clients on elance, bid for more jobs, posted something on my blog, prepare to do some more admining on some of my sites.
The deadlines are indeed important and I keep a close eye on them. Otherwise it’s my time and I spend it as I like it. I can see now only positives in my situation. No more ulcer from bad coleagues or stupid bosses, I spend less money in general (I eat at home, I even started cooking, although I dreaded it so long), my car requires less “food”, I can stay in my pijamas or whaterver I want and not have to spent on “elegant” clothing.
I do recommend this with all my heart. I have never been happier in all my life.
Diana
November 17th, 2009 at 5:28 amHi all!
Diana Brooks
November 17th, 2009 at 5:29 amYou too!
Diego The Best
November 17th, 2009 at 5:36 amHiiii!
Diego The Best
November 17th, 2009 at 5:37 amasdf
Kai Köpke
November 17th, 2009 at 6:03 amYes its a hard Business. Its not easy to reach new clients, to get a steady work, and yes its somewhat lonely sometimes. But yes, i think i am happy as Freelancer…
Greetings from Germany,
Kai
Website Designer
November 17th, 2009 at 6:19 amI do enjoy a lot while working independently one of the main reason is that i love to design things with freedom. I need creative freedom….that’s the only reason i love working independently
Jan Kovařík
November 19th, 2009 at 5:27 amHi Laura,
sometimes it is hard to work alone, but I would not change my job for nothing. Before that I worked as an employee and every day I dealt with more stressful situations and problems than now. My opinion is: the main problem and the key to success is a freelance self-control!
Luke Jones
November 19th, 2009 at 5:33 amI think that freelancing does make both myself and others in my position happy. Sometimes we are feeling down in the dumps, but when compared to having a job elsewhere, we know that we’re lucky and feel much happier than someone working for someone other than ourselves.
The same as the previous point, I do think freelancers are a happy bunch! All of the ones I’ve met and spoken to online seem happy, much happier in fact than those in jobs sitting behind a desk in an office where they can’t pop out for 3 hours during the day if they need to without sucking up to the boss.
For the grand finale, I’m a happy guy. I always have been happy and I always will be happy, but not every second of the day. Overall, I have to say that becoming a freelancer was a good choice, because I’m usually happy. However, as with most professions, the negative aspects of freelancing sometimes become a little more apparent – in particular when you don’t have a guaranteed source of income.
I hope that helps in the discussion!!!
Kist
November 19th, 2009 at 8:17 pmFreelancing is 100% better for me!! Just me and my job! And when you said about feeling lonely or isolated i just go out and take a break, because freelancers have more free time. Everytime i worked for a fixed company, i felt like i was losing half of my life doing useless stuff and wasting my talents. The only real good thing about fixed job is salary every month, the rest is all annoying and uninteresting.
Christine
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 amI’ve been freelancing now for 2 years and wouldn’t change it even if I was asked too. Being a freelancer has allowed me to stay home with my kids 24/7 and not have to pay for all that ridiculous daycare fees that we all so dearly love.
Freelancing makes me happy… and I actually feel more secure being a freelancer then I have in many other jobs over the years.
Christine
Don
December 11th, 2009 at 9:17 amYes it does ! I am free to do whatever I have to and fix my own timelines and I know my output would be the same and rather best :)
Writing Jobs
January 18th, 2010 at 1:01 pmI have been working with over 2 years as a freelance writer with Prospect Solution which has give me bundles of joy.
Trackbacks