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I’m not really freelancing anymore and it’s making me sad
The Pros and Cons of Returning to a 9–5 After Freelancing
After years of freelancing, I have returned to the 9–5 grind. It’s not what I wanted, but it’s recession-proof.
I loved freelancing and to be honest, I have never been happier working. Sure, there were awkward clients and you constantly had to hustle to get work in, particularly at the start, but there were so many pros that suited the lifestyle I wanted to lead. I could decide on my own hours, change jobs as I saw fit and flip clients the bird if they annoyed me. I could work in my pajamas and didn’t have to talk to people if I didn’t want to — in fact, during covid, I was living the cranky introvert’s dream.
Was I rich? Nope. But I was so happy immersed in creative and interesting work that had more perks than downsides.
Maybe I am romanticising the creative life a bit, but when I look at other people who considered themselves artists and wouldn't adapt their skillsets to earn doing something similar, some of the time — I know I was more rational. I was never a starving artist, even when I fell on harder times. I evolved and put as many safety nets in place as I could to never fall into the poverty trap again. I know I have been fortunate in that way. (By the way, I’m not saying people can’t be poor for legit…
