“I didn’t want an unsatisfying career. And I didn’t want to commit to one place – either one company or one location. I wanted to make my own decisions.”
– Rocco Baldasarre
The above quote can resound to many freelancers alike all over the world. After throwing caution to the wind and commit myself to the freelancing world for 2 years, I’ll like to share what I love most about freelancing.
The Freedom Of Working Anywhere And Everywhere
Whether it is sands in between the toes or breaking dawn over my laptop, I love the fact that my office has a worldview. It is I who restrict what I will be viewing.
Flexibility Of Time
I can take on more projects if I know I have more time to spare. Likewise, if I have my family coming over for a visit, I can always take lesser jobs or even none at all during that period.
No Taking Of Leave
I don’t have to take annual leave to go on a vacation, neither to have the hanging burden over my head that my desk is piling with work, waiting for my return.
No Calling In Sick
Speaking of leave, I no longer feel guilty when I fall sick because I don’t have to call in my sick leave. Neither do I have to toss a coin to decide whether to go to work because I’m just having the flu – not too sick to stay in bed but not well enough to make it through the day without a pile of tissue – (I know you are on the fence on this before).
No Urgency
If I manage my deadlines and time appropriately, I don’t have to sweat over meeting my clients’ timeline and rushed out work for them. At times, there are urgent orders but most of the time, I am able to control my time properly to ensure I have enough to contribute some to MiddleMe, some for my family and some for myself.
In Control
I can control how much I want to do and how much I want to earn today, this week or this month. I can choose to take on different kind of challenges or experience different industry. I can choose to reject projects that will not benefit my growth or do not interest me.
Chalk Up Different Learning Experience
I can be learning on econometrics now and read up on cryptocurrency next. I can be working on customer standard operating procedures for an Australian startup, recruiting for telemarketing manager residing in Maldives and writing for a finance company in Switzerland. So fun!
Beautifying My Resume
With chalking up on experiences will also mean that my resume will be extremely colourful and diverse. This also means that I get to put my finger in multiple companies, big and startups, different countries and various industries. If I ever go back to the full-time corporate world, I get to choose from those previous experiences.
I’m My Own Boss
If I get praises, it’s all mine. If I get shot down, it’s all my fault. I can choose to give my all and do my best. I can choose to improve and upgrade my skills. The main thing is that I have choices.
In A Heartbeat
I can hop on a plane to anywhere in the world right now if you sponsor my air ticket (and provide a nanny for me). My life has become spontaneous, erratic and I love it! No more 9 to 6, facing the same desk, same tasks, same people.
Most of all, I love it that I don’t have mom guilt. I can leave her with my family and go on a holiday because I know I spent enough time being with her everyday so it is a well-deserved break for me. I know I can quickly rearrange my time within minutes so I can take her to her paediatrician or her playgroup. Freelancing gave me the time that I can spend with my loved ones, allow me to grow at my own pace and best of all, allow me to have an identity as myself.
So what do you love being a freelancer? If you are not a freelancer, tell me what is it that I miss working in the corporate world? Share with us in the comments below.
Can’t get enough of MiddleMe? You can find me sharing my thoughts here as well:
Instagram @kallymiddleme
Twitter (MiddleMe_net)
FaceBook (MiddleMe.net)
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kallytay
Best things in life are meant to be shared, start spreading MiddleMe around, after all, sharing is caring.
MiddleMe 
So lovely to hear that freelancing is working out for you and your family, Kally. It sounds like you are enjoying every moment of it. Agree with all these points. I’ve been on and off freelancing over the last few months – and that’s the flexibility of it like you pointed out. But I’m definitely no where near seeing it as a full-time job for me since I am still committed to my day job at this stage. Sometimes I do find it frustrating that to balance freelancing, a day job and blogging.
‘No more 9 to 6, facing the same desk, same tasks, same people.’ With freelancing, you have to be dedicated and determined to make it work – you yourself have to make it work and you have to create that stability yourself. I’ve discovered over time if I’ve left for a while it takes time again to reconnect with past clients or find new ones. But in return, you do learn a lot of things you’ve never expected – if you are open to doing anything to make it work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it can be a handful to balance freelancing, a day job and blogging. Tiring as well. You’re a super woman! Sometimes, I have issue balancing blogging, freelancing and motherhood – chasing my little diva can be a full time job! But I need to set my priorities right and that is what freelancing is enabling me to do – spending quality time with my family while still giving me challenges to improve myself, not losing touch with the real world.
And yes, it takes a lot of effort, time and patience to build your freelancing reputation with your existing and new clients but you’ll get there where you’ll never need to hunt for new clients but rather, developed a way to turn down projects that doesn’t suit you or meet your needs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did some free lancing in sales, loved the freedom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy that you are enjoying being a freelancer! Welcome to MiddleMe, Mark!
LikeLike
for me freelancing is freedom thanks to confort me in my choice everyday
LikeLiked by 1 person
Freedom is one key thing to our sanity as a freelancer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right !
LikeLiked by 1 person
People tell me that the gig economy is the future where we all yearn for the flexibility especially with more commitments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably won’t be in our generation but I do see it becoming a reality for the next generation as a permanent thing.
LikeLike
What I do miss, not working ‘outside’ anymore, is the ‘live contact’. I love to communicate via email, chat or similar systems, but ‘live’ is different…
XxX
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can understand what you are missing! My ex colleagues are all over today in preparation for BlackFriday sales and how I envy them because I used to be stressed out over launches like that yet it gives me a sense of satisfaction when the whole thing is over and successful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I make real money. Maybe not often enough, as you said it takes a couple years to build up client base. But, folks are happy to pay a bit more to support me, and it makes me actually feel valued.
I would have to take about a 50% pay cut if I went back to the corporate world! 😝😂 nah, I’m good working 10 to 20 hours for that take-home pay, thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. You’re one of the successful ones. Yes, I agree that it takes a couple of years to build up a reputation for yourself so you get to pick your share of clients. Like myself, I can now choose my pick of clients and as well as the hours I want to work. Although, I probably don’t make as much as you do but I don’t work as many hours as you do as well. 😜
LikeLike
When I first started working I wanted a desk and a cubicle. Then when I got it I found it immensely disappointing. I’m now in the process of getting started as a Freelancer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you! Knowing what in life is the first step towards happiness and satisfaction. I wish you all the best as a new freelancer!
LikeLike