How Do You Overcome the Challenges of a Freelance Life?

What I have learned so far from being a freelancer

When I first ventured into being a freelancer, I wasn’t fully aware of all the challenges I would face.

All I wanted to do then was to follow my passion. I love writing and I couldn’t wait to be doing it full-time! I also looked forward to the freedom I would have with this kind of life.

No more reporting to the office from 8 am to 5 pm. No more vacation leaves to file. I would finally be my own boss and have full control of my time. At least, that’s what I thought.

It wasn’t after quitting my job and experiencing freelance life for the first years that I realized what I got myself into. While it’s true that I could finally have freedom in many ways, I also needed to meet the demands of this new kind of work arrangement.

Do you also dream of a freelance life? Are you now working as a freelancer?

Here are the various challenges of being a freelancer and the steps you can take to overcome them:

1. Being your own boss

At first glance, this seems to be something very positive! Why not rejoice at your independence?

Finally, you can have full control of your work. You will no longer need to report to your managers and supervisors. You can carry on as you please and do only what you want. True? Well, not always.

The truth is that although you will no longer have a boss, you will now have clients. And clients will have their own demands from you.

How would you manage your workload? What kind of boss would you be to yourself?

If you forget about your responsibilities, you will suffer the consequences of losing your clients. How would you earn a living when that happens?

On the other hand, being very strict with yourself can leave you exhausted. Time will come when you will suffer from burnout and your work will eventually suffer, too.

To address this problem, you should strive to be an effective and well-balanced boss to yourself. Do what must be done for productivity, but leave room also for rest and some recreation. That’s how you can stay on top of your game for the years to come!

Tips to become a better boss:

• set clear work boundaries and definite work schedules

• practice self-discipline and responsibility

• schedule breaks and well-deserved vacations

2. The loneliness of working by yourself

Isolation is one of the challenges of the freelance life. Even if you’re an introvert like me, there will be a time when you will feel the need to interact with others.

In the long run, it will not be good for your mental health to neglect your social needs. You may feel more burdened because you don’t have anyone to share your current difficulties. And you also won’t enjoy sharing your achievements with someone who can be happy for you.

To overcome this challenge, you must list your preferred methods of giving yourself time to interact with people and maintain the friendships that could sustain you.

Tips to support your social needs:

• Schedule time to meet a friend and bond with your close buddies.

• Engage in hobbies with people who have common interests.

• Consider co-working spaces where you can work together with other freelancers like you.

3. Financial uncertainty and instability

I have experienced various times of financial stress as a freelancer. Those were the times when you lose clients and you can’t get new ones to supplement your needed income.

This is one of the main challenges for freelancers. Accept that from the time you decide to become one, you will become responsible for your financial condition. You will no longer receive a fixed salary. No one will manage your retirement funds. You are the sole person responsible for fulfilling your financial needs.

Tips to mitigate your financial risks:

• establish long-term client relationships

• aim for passive income that can support you in difficult times

• look for alternative income sources or side hustles

• set up an emergency fund

• monitor your budget and expenses

4. Conflict with clients

As a freelancer, you may no longer be tied up to just one company. You would also be free from company officers who will manage your work.

This time, however, you need to deal with a new type of relationship. You will now have to manage your relationship with your clients.

You must accept the reality that you will always have a smooth relationship with them. There will be times when you will be stressed due to difficult clients. There will also come a time when you need to let some of them go for your own mental health.

Tips to handle client relationships

• Look out for red flags when getting new clients

• Know when it’s time to end some engagements

• Learn conflict resolution skills

• Enhance your communication skills

• Read your contracts carefully

• Determine the compromises you can adjust to

• Build and enforce your boundaries

Final thoughts

The perks of the freelance life don’t come without their corresponding challenges. You must accept its demands without compromising the things that matter most to you.

Make a plan to help you overcome the difficulties you will encounter as a freelancer. Adjust accordingly as you grow and learn from your experiences.

There will be tough times. But always remember what made you decide to choose this way of life. Remember your passion, and never forget your dream. Be so inspired that you will have the strength to deal with all these challenges and come out of it living the life that you desire.

Have you also dreamed of becoming a full-time writer? Or are you already one? You may want to upgrade your subscription to have full access to our Writer’s Resources.

You may also want to check my book “How to Earn Money by Becoming a Full-time Writer”

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