Introduction
Does working from home and being your own boss sound like a perfect dream for you? Well, it did for me! Flexible hours, more time for family and non-working responsibilities, no commute. Sounds perfect, right?
Well, as much as I love this kind of live, It’s definitely way more difficult than I expected.
If I could go back, here are 10 things I wish I someone honestly told me before I made the jump.
- It’s Not as Flexible as it seems
Yes, you are able to set your own schedule and you clients if you’re lucky, but that doetn’t mean you can just work whenever you feel like it. Kids, clients and deadlines dictate your day more than you expect. The thing that you often might choose your working hours, doesn’t mean that you can choose the amount of hours needed to get the job done. When you connect it with your responsibilities outside of work, you will quickly noice that kids, clients and deadlines connected will dictate your day more than you expect. The freedom is real, but so is the responsibility. It’s all on you, and don’t get me wrong – I don’t wanna scare you, I just want you to be fully prepared for that.
- Your Home Becomes Your Office—All the Time
When your workplace and home are the same, it can be tough to switch off. I truly believe work-life balance exists, but I underestimated how challenging it would be. It’s incredibly easy to feel like you’re always on the clock.
Is it possible to avoid that? Yes, absolutely, but it takes time and practice. You have to learn when to close your computer and be fully ‘at home’. Before I figured that out, I felt overwhelmed and exhausted from being constantly available. Once I set a schedule and stuck to it, things became far less stressful and much more manageable.
- Finding Consistent Work Takes Time
One of the hardest things to realize was that freelancing isn’t just about doing what you love on your own terms—it’s also about constantly finding new clients and projects. Some months you’ll be overwhelmed with work, while others will be painfully slow and stressful. Managing this uncertainty takes time and experience.
Learning to market yourself and find new connections with clients is exactly as important as your actual skills.
Maybe little off-topic here, but if you work in any kind of tech like I do, be prepared to keep learning—new tools and trends emerge constantly, and what worked a year ago might already be outdated.
- Your Income Will Fluctuate
Unlike a steady paycheck, freelance income can be unpredictable. Some months will be amazing, while others might make you question everything. That’s why having a financial cushion before jumping in is crucial—not just for your own peace of mind but also for your family’s stability.
The good news? Slow months give you time to upgrade your skills, refresh your portfolio, and build new client connections. When you’re overloaded with work, finding that time can feel impossible.
- Time Management Is Everything
Imagine working a full-time job where your boss says, “Do whatever you want, whenever you want.” Sounds like a disaster, right? Well, freelancing without a structured schedule is no different.
Without a clear routine, it’s easy to either overwork yourself into exhaustion or fall into procrastination. Neither is good—both will leave you drained and frustrated faster than you think.
Creating a daily plan and setting boundaries is key to staying productive and avoiding burnout. Luckilly, there are plenty of tools to help. Personally, I use daily Google Calendar, Asana and Notion – a combination that keeps my tasks, deadlines and daily structure clear and manageable.
- Kids Don’t Care That You Have Work to Do
If you’re a parent already, you propably know at this point that your child doesn’t understand your deadlines or urgent calls – and that’s ok! Lets keep them away from that as long as possible.
So, you have the most important mail of you career, but guess what? Your toddler just poured juice on the couch, or even better, suddenly needs to tell you all about dinosaurs – right now, there is no other option.
Maybe you start kindergarten soon? Well…yes, that’s a magical time when you can finally get things done. I mean, until the school calls because your little one sneezed twice, and now you’re back on full-time parent duty.
Balancing work and parenting is an ongoing challenge, and the only real solution in my opinion is to embrace the chaos, plan realistically, and just accept that some days will be more about damage control than productivity, there is no point fighting it.
- You’ll Need a Dedicated Workspace
Have you ever watched those videos on YouTube where someone is telling how wonderful it is to work from your sofa under the blanket? If you have, please forget about it right now. First of all – it’s not healthy and I think there is no point explaining why. But beyond that, distractions will kill your productivity in no time. Suddenly, everything around you will seem super interesting – the fridge, the coffee machine, and of course, the TV.
A dedicated workspace, even a small one, makes a huge difference in your focus and efficiency. I know not everyone can turn an entire room into an office. If that’s the case for you, claim a specific corner and make it your personal, distraction-free work zone.
- You’ll Wear Many Hats
If you think freelancing is just doing the same work under different conditions, I’m afraid I don’t have good news for you.
You’re not just a freelancer—you’re your own accountant (unless you hire one), marketer, and project manager. Managing invoices, contracts, and client communications is a huge part of the job, and it’s just as important as your actual work.
- Work Can Easily Bleed Into Family Time
It’s tempting to check emails or finish “just one more thing” when you’re at home, but trust me – it’a a trap. There is always something to do, but a lot of it can wait. Once you’re done with your work for the day, truly be at home.
Setting clear work hours and actually sticking to them is crucial for maintaining family time and for keeping healthy relationship with your loved ones.
- Despite the Challenges, It’s 100% Worth It
Even with all the difficulties, freelancing has given me more time with my family than any traditional job ever could. The struggles are real, but so are the rewards. If you can learn how to handle the ups and downs, it might be the best career decision you ever make.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing as a parent is no walk in the park, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can be an incredible way to shape both your career and family life on your terms. In future posts, Im gonna try to dive deeper into practical tips on balancing work and parenting while working from home.
What’s something you wish you knew before going freelance? Or maybe there is something more you would like to know?
Let’s discuss in the comments!