If you have a preconceived image of freelance lifestyle, it’s probably some fit white person on a beach in a bathing suit holding their laptop. Reality is usually far from that image, so a reality check is usually warranted around this point in the year.
Why Do People Get into the Freelance Lifestyle?
People get into the freelance lifestyle for all kinds of reasons. However, traveling to exotic locales is pretty far down the list for many freelancers. Flexjobs puts travel as a top priority for a quarter or less of freelancers.
Time Flexibility
Time flexibility is an enormous consideration. Traditional work runs from 9 to 5, with two breaks and lunch if you’re lucky. That doesn’t work for many people for many reasons, ranging from being a night owl to being a single parent.
Unfortunately, time flexibility in a traditional role is unlikely. In shift work, it’s turn up or else. You might have to sacrifice vacation time to make it work in an office. In reality, 9 to 5 became a thing with sole income households, where a second adult could do all the other things involved in making a life.
Time flexibility gives people control back.
Location Flexibility
Location flexibility is critical for many people, and the pandemic showed that it is possible in many industries that previously said it was not. However, traditional jobs are increasingly going back to requiring in-person work.
Unfortunately, this lack of location flexibility means companies are losing talent who need to be in a specific place, cannot afford to live where the company is based, want to be near family, and so many other things.
Location flexibility is possible in many positions.
Finances and Freelance Lifestyle
Some folks start freelancing to supplement their income; others jump into it because they can make more. Regardless of the reason, money is often a considerable factor in why someone starts freelancing.
Part of it is how companies are set up. Even though it’s not illegal to talk about what a business pays you, many actively discourage it. That often means you’re guessing your worth, and your pay depends on your negotiating skills.
Freelancing removes that guesswork.
Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance has become its own buzzword, but that doesn’t mean it’s less important overall. Between the commutes, the hours, the off hours availability, the set schedule, the stress, and more, it’s easy to see work-life balance tilt to all work.
Unfortunately, this is not an easy one to solve. Freelancing can take its toll on work-life balance if you’re unprepared to set boundaries. However, it’s probably still better than what’s available in many corporate environments.
Freelancing can give you control over your work-life balance.
Picking Projects
The freedom to choose clients and projects is attractive to many people. Generally, projects are dictated within a company, and employees are on their own to make it work. There are several reasons, including boredom, why that may not work.
You’re responsible for finding, closing, and completing projects as a part of the freelance lifestyle. That kind of freedom can be fantastic, even with the challenges of establishing your freelancing career.
Freelancing provides more control.
Poor Prior Experiences
Most people don’t set out to build their careers in the freelance lifestyle from the start. Often, they’ve tried working for someone else. However, they could have had numerous potential bad experiences that made freelancing more appealing.
These experiences might include micromanagement, horrible bosses, and negative experiences with office politics. These experiences are often the spur to leave, especially if you’ve found them in multiple job environments.
Freelancing removes these situations.
Stress and the Freelance Lifestyle
Stress associated with work is also an oft-cited source for jumping into freelancing. From high-pressure clients to impossible deadlines, traditional work environments can be incredibly stressful and offer little support.
The stress associated with freelancing is different and, in some ways, more manageable. After all, there’s more control and flexibility, even if it’s on you to make the whole thing succeed in the long term.
Freelancing often reduces overall stress.
Time Savings/Productivity
Office environments are often riddled with inefficiency. For example, you might have to wait for another team to deliver part of a project before you can continue. These items cost time, make the usual work hours feel longer, and often lead to sub-standard results.
With freelancing, efficiency is what you make it. If you only need four hours of work to meet your goals, that’s all you have to put in. Usually, there’s also the bonus of minimal interruptions!
Freelancing streamlines productivity.
Family/Caregiving
Caregiving for young kids, elderly parents, sick partners, disabled extended family, and more is often a reason for people (usually women) to leave the workforce. There just isn’t the necessary flexibility in traditional environments.
Freelancing provides the flexibility necessary for caregiving and family obligations. People living the freelance lifestyle can work when they have time, even in the middle of the night, and they are location-independent.
Freelancing creates space.
Travel in the Freelance Lifestyle
Some folks do get into freelancing because it lets them work from anywhere. Traditional environments, especially in the US, where two weeks of vacation is standard, just don’t allow the enjoyment of travel.
Freelancing usually works anywhere with a stable internet connection. As more of the world gets connected, there are more options. Right now, some countries even offer specific digital nomad visas for freelancing.
Freelancing adds enjoyment to life.
Disability and Health
Disability and health concerns are another reason people get into freelancing. Conditions, whether temporary or chronic, are only theoretically accommodated at many companies. In reality, they will only do enough not to get sued.
Freelancing means building your own work environment around what works best for you. Whether that’s a comfy recliner or a spare bedroom converted to an office, working in two-hour chunks, or working around doctor’s appointments, it’s all included.
Freelancing makes continued workforce participation possible.
Freelance Lifestyle is Not a Beach
In my experience, freelancing is not about being able to work from a beach on a tropical island. I got into freelancing to get out of toxic work environments. I continue freelancing because it allows me to take care of my health and be part of my mother’s caregiving team.
There are countless ways to freelance and live the freelance lifestyle. If you’re considering it, take some time to find the right option for you.
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This article perfectly explains the major barriers that many people face when trying to work a “normal” 9-5 in the workplace and why many people (often women) are unable to meet those expectations or feel that they are unsuccessful.