I Left My 9–5 Job for Freelancing and Now Leaving Freelancing

I started freelancing while I was doing my 9–5 job . I would tell people I was working on a freelance project, and they would usually say, “You’re so lucky! I wish I could do that.” Little did they know, it was never easy balancing my full-time job with freelance work.

There were some nights when I had to stay up until 2 or 3 am to get my work done. But despite the challenges, I loved being a freelancer.

This year, however, I’m going to change something. I started feeling burned out from freelancing and realized that it wasn’t what was making me happy anymore. So in June, I’m going to quit freelance and go back to working as an employee.

Why did I leave my 9–5 job?

I was stuck in a job I hated. I wasn’t learning anything new, my creativity was stifled, and I spent most of my time feeling unfulfilled.

I knew that I wanted to be my boss, and I wanted to do something that I loved. So, I took the plunge and left my 9–5 job to become a freelance writer.

Here are some reasons why I left my job.

I was bound to work within a boundary.

I was bound to work at a specific time and environment. I couldn’t have any time for family and friends.

I was bound to wear a specific uniform.

How I transitioned from full-time employment to freelancing

I used to work a regular 9–5 job, but about a year ago I decided to transition to freelancing full-time. It was a big change, but it’s been great so far! Freelancing has given me a lot more freedom and flexibility in my day-to-day life.

Moreover, I can set my hours, take on projects that I’m passionate about, and work from anywhere I want. Of course, it’s not always easy being your boss.

I have to be very disciplined and organized, and there’s always the risk of slow periods or dry spells. But overall, I’m really happy with my decision to freelance. It’s been a great way for me to earn a living while also having the freedom to live my life on my terms.

Things I wish I had known before leaving my job

There are a lot of things I wish I had known before leaving my full-time job to become a freelancer. For one thing, I wish I had realized how important it is to have a strong online presence.

When you’re a freelancer, potential clients are going to be looking for you online, so it’s important to make sure you have a strong website and social media presence.

Additionally, I wish I had realized how important it is to stay organized and boost your productivity. When you’re working from home, it can be easy to get sidetracked and fall behind on deadlines.

To be successful as a freelancer, you need to be able to stay organized and stay on top of your work.

As a freelancer, networking is essential for finding new clients and building relationships with potential customers. If I had known these things before starting my freelance business, I would have been much better prepared for success.

Lessons learned at the start of freelancing

I remember the first few months after I started freelancing. I was so excited to be my boss and set my hours. I quickly realized that there was a lot I didn’t know about running my own business.

I made a few mistakes, but I learned from them and now I’m doing better than ever.

Here are a few things I learned in those initial days of freelancing:

It’s important to be organized and keep track of your clients, deadlines, and expenses.

Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Get out there and meet other freelancers and potential clients.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate your rates. You’re worth more than you think!

Always deliver quality work, even if it takes a little longer than you expected. Remember that reputation is everything in the Freelancing business.

Take some time for yourself every once in a while. Freelancing can be stressful, so make sure to schedule some downtime for your week.

Pros of Freelancing

You have more control over your workday and can choose the projects you want to work on. You have the flexibility of work and can do whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re wearing, and whenever you want.

You get to be your boss and get to choose your clients and projects and can set your rates. You can learn new skills.

What made you decide to freelance?

Freelancing is an easy and less panic job. It allows you to work on your own choice. Moreover, here are a few reasons why you might want to consider making the switch to freelancing

You get to be your boss. This is probably the biggest pro of freelancing. You get to call all the shots and make all the decisions. You’re in charge of your destiny.

You can work from anywhere. As a freelancer, you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. This is a great perk for people who want to travel or just want to escape the rat race for a while.

Advice for those considering making the switch

Freelancing can be a great way to earn a living, but it’s not for everyone. There are a few things you should consider before making the switch from a traditional job to freelancing. First, think about whether you’re truly passionate about the work you’ll be doing.

Freelancers often have to wear many hats and juggle multiple projects at once, so it’s important to be sure that you’re up for the challenge. Second, consider your financial situation.

Freelancers typically don’t have the same level of job security or benefits as those with traditional jobs

so it’s important to make sure you have enough saved up to cover your expenses.

Research the freelance market in your area to see if there is demand for the services you’re planning to offer. If you’re confident that freelancing is right for you, then go for it! Just be sure to set yourself up for success by doing your homework first.

The cons of freelancing

There are several cons to freelancing that people often don’t think about. The first is the fact that you have to be your own boss, and that can be difficult if you don’t have good organizational skills.

You also have to be good at marketing yourself and your services, and you have to be able to handle all the administrative tasks yourself.

Moreover, Freelancing can also be lonely, and it can be hard to find good quality clients.

You also have to be very self-motivated, because there’s no one there to push you to work harder. Freelancing is a great way to make money and be your boss, but it also has a lot of downsides.

You don’t have the security of a regular paycheck.

You’re responsible for your marketing and networking.

You may not have access to company benefits.

You can easily become overwhelmed and overworked.

Conclusion

I’m going to be completely honest with you, freelancing is not all unicorns and rainbows. It’s a lot of hard work, especially at the beginning when you’re hustling for every client. But it’s also very rewarding, both financially and emotionally.

You have been able to do work that you love and make your schedule, which is a huge perk. If you’re thinking about making the jump from traditional employment to freelancing, always do research properly before making any decision.