Freelancing Is Flexible - Are You?
Guess what — change is scary.
(Shocker, I know)
You’d think that after making multiple career changes over the past few years, I would be very familiar with how change feels.
(And while this is cognitively true, turns out, I still get so scared as soon as I realize I need to make any change to my life or business. Isn’t that just so grand!)
Straight up, the last month has not been my best, and now, in hindsight, it is clear to see why:
I’ve been struggling with wanting to make some changes to my business, but I have been struggling with fear and analysis paralysis instead.
(Allow me to get candid to give you some context, I am hoping this will be relatable lol)
Some much-needed context
I started my writing business in 2020 while still working as an RN at a private oral maxillofacial surgery clinic.
When I started, I had no idea what I was doing — but I did know that I knew my stuff as a nurse, so I leaned into that niche to build my brand.
Because of this, all of my early clients were all healthcare professionals and businesses (YAY!) and through these jobs, I became more confident in my writing and marketing skills (double YAY!)
But, four years out now, I cannot deny that I no longer feel as connected to that niche as I used to, and this is causing me a lot of stress (opposite of YAY).
Lots has changed in that time,
(For example, I’m not an RN anymore, I’ve worked with clients in different industries, and I’ve learned more about the type of writing I really love doing, to name a few)
So now, as I am on the lookout for new clients to expand my business, I am feeling quite stuck, because the pitching systems and the clients I am looking for no longer match what I built my business with.
(And tbh, that is terrifying)
Now, to make my sap story offer some value to you and yours:
Over the past month of spiraling and panicking and feeling like I will never earn another dollar as a freelancer and that I have no skills,
I have learned a lot about myself and about making changes in business that I hope might resonate with anyone in a similar situation.
(Though I hope you are not in the same place, it’s not been the most to linger)
Here are just a few of the key takeaways:
Apathy is the first sign that it’s time to make a change
I am not an apathetic person.
(Literally, I care so much about so many things. I usually have the opposite problem)
So recently, when I have been feeling apathetic about finding new clients or building my business, it is like a big red flag that I am not on the right path for what I need.
(It’s very much giving, I am lost and floating through space and time, and why would I spend energy on something if I don’t even know what I want??)
If you are in a similar place, I feel for you. Apathy is a tough cookie to crack, but for me, some things that helped me get out of the I don’t care spiral were:
Writing out ideas on my whiteboard (whiteboards are life-changing, I promise)
Talking about my thoughts and feelings out loud (to people or just to myself)
Sighing, screaming, and brooding (this is essential tbh)
Getting unstuck from a period of feeling apathetic about your work or your business is hard,
But like every other up and down that comes with this line of work, it will pass
(And you are still a badass business gal, guy, or non-binary pal if you are having a rough patch!✨)
I can’t just soldier through everything all the time
For the past two years, I have been functioning like a machine.
(And not like the cool Terminator type of machine, more like a sad washing machine stuck on the spin cycle indefinitely 🧼)
I have work assignments, I do the work.
Someone wants to talk, I schedule the call.
I get busy, I work on the evenings and weekends.
And while I cannot deny that this system of just trudging through everything was somewhat advantageous
(I got so much done it is beyond impressive)
I also burnt myself out more than I was realizing, which I now get to deal with.
Turns out, I cannot just do everything at a full sprint all the time.
(Annoying, I know, but hey, I am just a human like all of you!)
I need to trust myself more
Finally, during periods of transition, my imposter syndrome and self-doubt come out in full force.
(It sucks, it happens every time, and yet somehow I am never prepared lol)
Because so many of us are self-starter entrepreneurs,
I feel like it is super easy to assume that diverging off the course that we know has worked in the past feels scary, risky, and ill-advised.
(Not me thinking things like, “But if I change, will I EVER be successful again?? like 50+ times a day lol)
But, as I am now in the thick of figuring out how I can change my business to be more of what I want,
It’s important to remember that while I am going to put myself out there to try something new,
I also have learned so many useful and valuable skills that will carry over to help me on this journey.
Straight up, when I started my writing business, I was 24 years old and had never written a blog article, and I was able to land a paying client.
That means, after four years of enhancing my skills, I definitely have a solid foundation to work from
(And maybe it’s time to trust and appreciate myself more??? I’m kinda a business baddie lol 😈)
Change is hard, but is is inevitable
There is no denying that making changes to your business is terrifying.
(I am still going through this and I am still stressed about it lol)
But, once you get through the initial period of panic,
It is possible to reapproach your business with excitement and energy again, as long as you can get real with yourself and what you want.
At the end of the day, one of the perks of freelancing is being able to be more flexible with your work, and that includes being flexible with the type of work you want to do.
I’m still figuring out how that looks for me, but I hope this blog is a helpful reminder that not only is it OK for you to change parts of your business,
It is encouraged and is essential for long-term growth.
Are you thinking about (or have you already made) some changes to your business? If so, please reply to this article and let me know — I’d absolutely love to hear about your experience.
P.S. I am still very much sorting through the changes I want to make, if that is not abundantly clear. As I navigate this, here are just a few things that have helped me feel less scared to make some moves:
Long, rambling chats with my husband
Sleeping, like a lot
Hour-long walks listening to nostalgic emo music
Getting emotionally gassed up by my lovely freelance friends
Listening to enemies-to-lovers romance novels at 2X speed
Allowing myself space to rest and bed rot (yes, bed rotting is self-care)
Writing this blog for you lovely, lovely people every week 💕