Oomph. I feel this. I've had a couple moments where I've thought about getting a staff job. The initial pay would be higher, the comfort of (some) security would be nice. And I'd probably still freelance on the side but this time someone else would be paying for my health insurance.
Totally agree with you though on the comment that it triggers a sense of shame. Like am I less entrepreneurial for wanting a job even though I have a freelance business? No, but it can feel that way.
What seems to get me out of the funk is the excitement about building products. I realize that the execution-focused freelance work can be tiring. But building products, at least for me, seems to bring a renewed source of energy
"Freelancing doesn’t have to be for life. It can be a season of your working life which serves you until you’re ready to move onto to something new."
Anna, thank you for putting it like that. I went freelance late last year after a two-year corporate comms contract and I just needed a breather, some independence, and to test my journalistic skills. Alas, money isn't coming in and I am finding it very difficult to reach editors, BUT I now know exactly what I would want to do for a 9-5 (or part-time) so my energy is invested somewhere that isn't making me miserable. Ultimately, it's been a lot of tough lessons to learn and I feel silly and lost right now, but I am also selective in who I send my CV to, and that feels good. There is no risk of my accepting a position that's wrong for me.
Thanks for posting this! I agree. I have been freelance for about two years now and it's just not sustainable at this time to be able to pay rent, have health insurance, etc. I also wonder about how much creative freedom I'd have with a staff position. Now I have the freedom to pitch wherever I want and think outside the box, but I think sometimes when you're on staff, editors are willing to take a chance on certain ideas since they know your work better.
Oomph. I feel this. I've had a couple moments where I've thought about getting a staff job. The initial pay would be higher, the comfort of (some) security would be nice. And I'd probably still freelance on the side but this time someone else would be paying for my health insurance.
Totally agree with you though on the comment that it triggers a sense of shame. Like am I less entrepreneurial for wanting a job even though I have a freelance business? No, but it can feel that way.
What seems to get me out of the funk is the excitement about building products. I realize that the execution-focused freelance work can be tiring. But building products, at least for me, seems to bring a renewed source of energy
"Freelancing doesn’t have to be for life. It can be a season of your working life which serves you until you’re ready to move onto to something new."
Anna, thank you for putting it like that. I went freelance late last year after a two-year corporate comms contract and I just needed a breather, some independence, and to test my journalistic skills. Alas, money isn't coming in and I am finding it very difficult to reach editors, BUT I now know exactly what I would want to do for a 9-5 (or part-time) so my energy is invested somewhere that isn't making me miserable. Ultimately, it's been a lot of tough lessons to learn and I feel silly and lost right now, but I am also selective in who I send my CV to, and that feels good. There is no risk of my accepting a position that's wrong for me.
Thanks for posting this! I agree. I have been freelance for about two years now and it's just not sustainable at this time to be able to pay rent, have health insurance, etc. I also wonder about how much creative freedom I'd have with a staff position. Now I have the freedom to pitch wherever I want and think outside the box, but I think sometimes when you're on staff, editors are willing to take a chance on certain ideas since they know your work better.