Collaborative Post
I’ve done a variety of things for jobs over the years – retail worker, barmaid, babysitter, leaflet dropper. I’ve finally found something that works for me though and that’s freelancing. I wanted to talk a little bit about why it works for me.
Flexibility
The biggest thing is the fact that I can be so flexible. Freelancing enables me to be able to take care of Olivia, do the school run for Jack and take both of them to their various clubs. I just block off my time so that time is purely about them and then the other time is for work. Being flexible like this means I also can just say yes to the first doctor/dentist/optician appointment they give me, without having to consult my diary.
I get to do something I love
Little known fact, I was actually going to go to uni to study English Lit & Creative Writing. I never went but have still ended up doing the job I wanted to originally; writing. I do offer other services as I don’t like to put all of my eggs in one basket but it feels so good to be able to do the job I love from the comfort of my own home. Talking about my own home…
No more staff meetings
One of the things I really hated about working in retail or in a pub was the staff meetings. Often they were simply called because one person had done something wrong and they needed to make everyone aware what had happened. They could be incredibly boring and took away from the job in hand. With freelancing, I don’t have to attend anywhere near as many meetings. If I do have to have a meeting, I can have a Skype or Google Hangout call with them. I can generally find a quiet place to do this but these meeting pods are a great option if you need a sound controlled and cost effective space.
The variety
As I mentioned, writing is my main source of income but I also offer other services such as virtual assistance and proofreading. Some of the jobs I’ve had come in have been incredibly interesting and some very unique – I never really know what to expect from one day to the next – so much more fun than the monotony of some of my previous jobs.
Better work/life balance
It has taken me a while to get here but I finally have a better work/life balance. When I worked outside the house, it could be so difficult to find the time to spend with my family – Steve and I were often like passing ships in the night, saying hello and goodbye and barely seeing each other. I found it difficult to switch off when I first started freelancing and could often be working late into the night but this doesn’t happen anywhere near as often now – only if I am working to extremely tight deadlines.
There are so many things to think about when starting out as a freelancer but this is why freelancing works for me – if you freelance, why does it work for you?
I love the flexibility of working for myself too, I always found employment rather restrictive and often that really got me down.
I left my job back in May to work for myself too and although at first it can be challenging, both financially and juggling entertaining the children over school holidays, but I wouldnt change ikt for the world, best decision I made 🙂
Freelancing is great for folks who need to be available for certain things. I had an employer who got angry if anyone’s child got sick or if they had to go to a meeting at the school, it was ridiculous.
Fantastic that you’ve found a good work/life balance. I also work freelance and love the flexibility it gives me especially when it comes to the kids.
After years of freelancing, I am currently taking a break so that I can take care of my health and look after my family. When I do return to work though it will definitely be in a freelancing capacity again.
I love freelancing myself for the flexibility and not to have t answer to any idiot boss! I don’t think I could ever work for someone else any more lol
I do love the flexibility freelancing brings but the uncertainty of my next check scares me.
I would love the flexibility that freelancing offers, although my office job can be flexible, there’s nothing quite like the flexibility of being freelance x