Freelancing isn’t ‘freedom’ (until you make it work for you)

When I first switched to freelance I did what most ex-corporate people do. I tried to force myself into a structured 9-5 routine. For nine years, that was my life, so it felt like a safety net. I knew I could do it, and I assumed that’s just how work had to be done.

But after a while, I realised I had chunks of my day where I just wasn't productive. I’d sit at my desk, trying to force out creativity, staring at my screen, and getting nowhere. It took me nearly a year to unlearn the corporate mindset and figure out what actually worked for me.

My routine now (and why it works better)

• I don’t start work before 10am. Mornings are for running, getting life admin done, or just easing into the day. I’m not naturally productive first thing, so cutting that hour didn’t change my workload. If anything, I get more done later with fewer distractions.

• I take breaks when I need them. If I hit a creative block, I don’t force it. I step away. Such a small pleasure I never had in corporate, but I’ve learned I’m much more productive when I listen to my mind and body instead of trying to push through.

• I still set boundaries. My partner works a 9-5, so I don’t want to drift too far from that. Otherwise, we’d barely see each other. So while I have flexibility, I also keep structure where I need it.

Is freelancing really ‘freedom’?

Yes, but only when you make it work for you.

When I started, I was working 12-hour days for basically no money. I hadn’t built up any financial stability, my processes weren’t nailed down, and I was saying yes to everything. That was not freedom. That was stress.

Now? I’m starting to see that dream picture more. But it took time, and I think this only really becomes the case when you're deeper into your freelance career with padding built up in your bank account, steady client intake, and almost perfect processes in place.

The reality no one tells you about freelancing

• You spend so much time on work that doesn’t make you money. Pitching, marketing, admin, sorting out invoices, client comms. Even writing this blog post. It all takes time. I can realistically only spend 75-80% of my time on work that actually pays me. I recently read Free Money by Austin L. Church and this helped me realise how I needed to price myself accordingly to account for this, but that's definitely something I'm still working on.

• The loneliness is real. I didn’t realise how much I relied on office chats, coffee breaks, and after-work drinks until they were gone. My clients don’t want to discuss last night’s TV before a meeting, and all of my friends are still in the corporate world. I’m actively trying to find a freelancer community because I need people who get it, or who could go and co-work from a different space for the day or even week with me.

• You only get paid for the work you do. Sounds obvious, but it hits hard. I took a bucketlist 3 week trip to Australia last year, but because I stopped working, I didn’t get paid for five whole weeks. (I wrapped up my projects a week early in case they ran over, and couldn't outreach to new clients whilst I was away for that first week I was pack). As a freelancer, you get no sick pay, no holiday pay, and no pay for just wiggling your mouse. The flexibility is amazing, but the financial planning is a whole new skill.

But here’s what is amazing

• The control. I book my nail appointments in the middle of the day instead of battling for a 6pm slot. I can work from anywhere. My home, my parents’ house, or abroad. And that freedom has made my lifestyle so much better.

• The impact. Working with small businesses and seeing real results is the most rewarding part of what I do. When a client tells me their website has helped them land new customers, it honestly makes all the hard work worth it.

The takeaway for you

Freelancing can be freedom, but only when you take control of your time, pricing, and expectations. The dream takes time to build. So if you’re in the early stages, give yourself grace. And if you’re more established, check in. Is your routine actually working for you?

I’d love to hear from you. Are you freelancing? What’s been your biggest challenge or win? You can find me on Instagram if you're also looking for a freelancer to chat with.

P.S. If your website isn’t working as hard as you are, let’s fix that. Check out my website design services here.