5 Things Only Freelancers Understand

I’ve had one 9 to 5 job in my working life. Granted, I am still in my twenties so it’s not a very long time. During this time, I have been a freelancer in the creative industry and only recently have I taken the plunge and become a business owner. It’s definitely more pressure when you’re running your own company but a lot of the experiences are similar to freelancing. Freelancing is a thrilling adventure somewhat akin to paragliding, but just like paragliding there are few things one must be aware of.

Here are 5 things only freelancers (and entrepreneurs) understand.

1. Weekends aren’t really weekends and holidays aren’t really holidays.

In my line of my work, weekends and holidays are actually the busiest times for work. So when everyone is talking about how excited they are that the weekend is here and making plans to sleep in and drink up, I am trying to figure out schedules. Basically, any time can be work time. I actually loathe the month of December because of the holidaying that cuts into work time.

2. The comfort of an end month salary doesn’t exist.

Your planning doesn’t follow the end month calendar of those that are employed. Your calendar is based on possible dates of payment and you plan accordingly. It’s a life of constant uncertainty.

3. Chasing payments is an unavoidable necessity.

Seriously, you will ever be chasing payments. Some clients take forever to pay up and unfortunately, have to be basically be hounded to pay you your money. It can be a little weird at first but following up on your payments in a firm but polite way is a skill that you must learn.

4. Learning the hard way that financial management is paramount.

You don’t have a salary so there’s no room to be a spendthrift and then scrape through to the end of the month and get saved by a paycheck. You have to religiously track your expenses and figure out how to pay bills and still have a social life without breaking the bank.

5. You own your time but it can be a challenge.

The great thing about not being employed is that you own your time. You get to create your own work schedules and you can even work from home in your pajamas. However, this requires a high level of discipline and you must create a balance between work and rest. You also need to be able to simultaneously work on a current job as you search for the next one.