Reality bites… 7 months in

Just over half a year ago, last July to be exact, I worked my last day as an employee and dived into the uncertain, murky waters of freelancing. That moment now feels like a lifetime ago. For those of you interested in my journey, here’s a quick update about my brave new world, seven months in.

• Life has got very busy! – Well, what can I say, it appears that people do indeed need freelancers. I’m pretty chuffed with how things are going to be honest but still slightly in shock at how busy I am. Being a start-up freelancer is tough, in fact brutal at times. When I started out I didn’t sleep properly for the first month and over the last seven months there have been many moments when I’ve felt sheer panic or fear. But it appears that earning a living as a freelancer can indeed be done! My silver Ferrari may still be a long way off but hey, these days it’s looking a lot more doable! I even had to turn work away the other week and I’m beginning to realise that soon, I may even need another pair of hands.

• I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be an employee – In my heart, I always knew that freelancing was a career move I wanted to make at some time in my life and even taking into account it’s many downsides – looking for work, chasing payments etc –  I honestly now can’t imagine spending my days doing anything else. I really do love freelancing and it just seems to suit me so well. I’m not exactly sure why this is, probably because it works with my nature rather than against it, but for the first time I feel completely happy with my working life. Result!

• I’ve learnt LOTS – My freelance journey has thrown all kinds of things at me that I never expected, has demanded more from me than I ever thought I could give and has forced me to develop skills I never knew I had. In short, it’s been one mother of an education and still I remain excited about what’s going to come next.

• I’ve met some incredible people –  One of the things I absolutely love about being a freelancer is that I get to meet all kinds of wonderful people. In the last week alone, I’ve met a Twitter contact for the first time ( the very lovely Ann Grier – another start-up freelancer) had my tea cooked for me by a very talented chef and chatted with a fascinating lady who has just launched her own footwear brand. Week in, week out, I get to spend time with all kinds of talented, passionate and enthusiastic people and it’s just fantastic.

• It’s taken over my life (but I don’t mind!) – Every single day, I’m either working, checking emails, thinking up new ideas, building relationships or aiming to achieve something else as a freelancer. I rarely – if ever- switch off and there’s never enough hours in the day. Freelancing inspires me, gets me out of bed in the morning and motivates me to be better, do more and raise my game. It may not to be to everyone’s liking, but for me, it’s what dreams are made of.

I know quite a few people who are being courageous and taking the plunge into their own brave new worlds soon and so this post is dedicated to them. x

P.S You can find out more about what I’ve been up to recently, by reading my latest interview with The Enterprise Freelance Fair.