This month I have just gone freelance and become self-employed after spending most of my working life as an employee. (This piece is also an update to my very first blog post). Redundancy has afforded me the opportunity to look at what I really enjoy doing, and plan what kind of life/work balance I’d like to achieve.
The Freelance Theory
Going freelance sounds wonderful. Working hours to suit my daughter’s school timetable and holidays. Picking and choosing what I do and when I do it. No more commuting, no more clocking in, no more set office hours with their lack of flexibility. If I want/need time off for any reason I can take it. If I don’t want to do something then I can say no.
The Freelance Practice
Well, yes, but also, no. Going freelance means I don’t have a guaranteed monthly salary any more. I’m responsible for finding and managing my own income, and I’m going to have to smile and dial (as a freelance friend coins it). I’m not a natural salesperson so the thought of having to get out there and promote myself is scary.
And I guess my office hours will be dictated (at least in the beginning) by whatever work I manage to acquire. Plus – big shocker – no-one is going to pay me for the hours I don’t work. So, farewell to four weeks’ paid holiday and eight Bank Holidays every year. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid!
Tax and National Insurance
Whereas in the past my employer(s) took care of my tax and NI contributions, now I have to deal with this myself, or at least my new accountant does (!) So, I’m going to have to be disciplined and put aside a percentage of any income I earn each month to pay the NI stamp and a future tax bill. Something else to think about.
Interviews
I did go for a couple of rather panicked interviews after I found out about my redundancy but I could see the interviewers’ faces. Why is she applying to work in an office again after seven years of working from home? She’ll get bored, she’ll have no patience with office politics, etc, etc – and they were right.
Co-working
I’m extremely lucky to be able to continue the work I love doing on a freelance basis. As long as I have a broadband connection, I can pretty much work from anywhere, and take advantage of free cloud storage options too. So, after chatting to another fellow freelancer and ex-colleague, we’ve decided to meet up once a week in a cafe with our laptops. That way, we’ll get the best of both worlds. Freedom to work with a friend in a nice environment at a time that suits us. And also a chance to swap tips and share ideas, which will benefit our clients as well as us.
My new accountant says that going freelance was the best decision she ever made. I’m very lucky to have acquired one lovely client already, so I’m hoping that my decision to go freelance is a good move and one of my best decisions too!
Are you a freelancer? How do you find the lifestyle? Would you recommend this way of working or not?
I’m a freelance illustrator and took the leap the same year as you. I was planning to leave my job anyway for many reasons but the main one besides wanting to take my illustration full time, was my mental health and how crippled I was becoming at my old job. I fear sometimes I left it too late because I barely recognised myself, but ever since I’ve been focussing on my health as well as my job and that is an invaluable flexibility that I don’t ever want to lose. x x
Ellis
Oh wow, that’s amazing, huge congratulations to you. And no, I don’t think you’ve left it too late, your illustrations and designs are simply beautiful and unique. I know what you mean about flexibility. It’s hard working for yourself, the hustle is real and constant, but the ability to take time off without having to beg for it is invaluable. Here’s us! xx