Hi! Great to see you again!
In this article, I want to take you through my journey to freelancing, dive into its pros and cons, and tell you why I made the decision to leave my ‘safe’ full-time job for the completely unknown path of freelancing. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s been a ride full of valuable lessons.
What’s important to note is that a lot of us these days work 100% remotely, and I’ve found that some of the challenges and benefits of freelancing are actually pretty similar to those of working a remote full-time job. So, if you’re not looking to go full freelance but work remotely or in a hybrid setup, you might still find some advice here that’s relevant to your situation. And for those of you who are in a full-time office job, don’t worry—you’ll likely find similarities, because, in the end, we all face some of the same challenges. No matter where or for whom we work, at the end of the day we still have to do our job – and not lose our sanity in the meantime.
Am I Insane?
So, back in 2022, I made a decision that, looking back, felt both impulsive and incredibly…stupid? -I quit my full-time job at a recording studio and decided to go freelance. But that’s not all. I went even further. I made the decision that all of my freelance work would be done 100% from my home office.
The decision happened fast. In fact, it all came about one cold February evening. Our son had just gone to sleep, and out of the blue, I brought it up to my wife. We spent maybe an hour – tops – making a quick pros and cons list, and just like that, we made the decision.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Did your wife have an amazing job that made this possible?” And the honest answer is – no, absolutely not. At that time, she was just finishing her maternity leave and getting ready to return to work. Her salary, though, wasn’t even close to be enough to cover all of our expenses.
So was it risky? You bet. I was terrified, especially when it came to our finances and the uncertainty of it all. But here’s the thing: The reason we decided to take the leap was simple and clear – our son had just turned one, and I was realizing that I was missing out on so much time with him. I saw his best moments on videos made by my wife during the days.
If you work full-time at the office, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. If not, imagine this:
You leave the house at 8 AM, right before your child wakes up—or maybe you catch a glimpse of them just as they open their eyes. Either way, you’re out the door before you can really spend any time with them. You get home around 6 or 7 PM after running errands, doing groceries, and taking care of the other responsibilities life throws your way.
At best, you have about 1 to 1.5 hours with your child in the evening. A little more time with your partner, but that’s it.
And that’s Monday to Friday. Some people might say, “Well, that’s just how it is. That’s how it has to be.” And maybe, sometimes, they’re right. But for me, when I realized that I had the chance to live differently and spend way more time with my family, the decision became crystal clear – Let’s try it and see what happens next!
My Advice for Anyone Considering Freelancing
If you’re thinking about going freelance, switching careers, or even just testing the waters of full-time freelancing, my biggest advice is this: prepare yourself—and your family—for the transition.
I was lucky in some ways because, without even realizing it, I had been preparing for this shift long before I made the decision. What do I mean by that? Let me break it down.
1. Financial Preparation: Save Before You Leap
Before making the switch, I believe it’s crucial to have at least six months’ worth of living expenses saved—assuming you’ll earn nothing in that time. That window gives you time to build your client base, establish your business, and adjust to the freelance lifestyle.
If you’re single, this will be much easier. But if you have a family depending on you, things get more complicated, and you need to be responsible with your decision. In my case, I had savings and a few small clients to start with. Without that financial cushion, I never would have taken the leap—I simply wouldn’t risk it.
2. Mental Preparation: It’s a Rollercoaster
Freelancing is a completely different world—more challenging, but also way more rewarding. And I’m not just talking about money.
You have to be prepared for ups and downs. Some months will be amazing; others, you’ll barely have any work. That’s just how it is. The key is to not panic when things slow down.
When your phone goes quiet, use that time wisely—reach out to potential clients, update your portfolio, refresh your website. There is always something to do, and the freelancers who survive are the ones who make the most of the slow periods.
Why Freelancing Can Be More Rewarding Than a Full-Time Job
Now, while all of the above can be challenging, I’ve found freelancing to be much more rewarding than a traditional full-time job. Here’s why:
✔ You choose who you work with. No more dealing with difficult clients or toxic workplaces if you don’t want to.
✔ You control your schedule. You decide when and where you work, meaning more flexibility for family, hobbies, and life in general.
✔ You work faster and smarter. At home, I can get 3–4 times more done than I did in an office setting. There are fewer distractions, and I can focus on the results rather than just sitting at a desk for 8 hours. (Though let’s be honest, when my son was home before kindergarten, distractions were a whole different story!)
✔ No more wasted time. In an office, you often find yourself pretending to be busy just to fill the workday. As a freelancer, you’re paid for your results, not your hours.
✔ More time for what matters. Once you learn to manage your schedule, freelancing gives you more quality time with your family. Need to take your kid to the doctor? Attend a kindergarten play? Be there for important family moments? You can make it work.
Is Freelancing Risky? Yes. Stressful? Absolutely. Worth It? 100%.
Freelancing isn’t easy. It comes with its fair share of challenges:
You are your own boss—meaning you handle everything: work, client communication, invoicing, taxes, and much more.
Some months are slow. And you need to be financially and mentally prepared for that.
It requires constant learning and adapting. You can’t just “coast” in freelancing. You always need to be improving, networking, and marketing yourself.
During those quiet periods, don’t sit and wait—use the time to:
✔ Find new clients
✔ Update your website or portfolio
✔ Work on your personal brand
✔ Improve your skills
There’s always something productive to do.
Would I ever go back to a full-time job? At this moment, I can’t imagine it.
Of course, life is unpredictable, and if I ever needed to, I would. But for now, freelancing has been 100% worth it. I have more time with my wife and son, our finances are actually better than ever, and most importantly—I feel more in control of my life.
It’s not just about making more money. It’s about learning how to manage it better.
For example, I was shocked when I calculated how much I used to spend on commuting, lunches, and all the little costs of working in an office. The math was simple—I could earn 30% less and still be in the same financial position as I was in my full-time job.
And when you add in the extra time I get with my family? That’s priceless.
Final Thoughts: Is Freelancing the Right Choice for You?
Freelancing isn’t for everyone. It’s risky, unpredictable, and demanding—but if you prepare for it properly, it can also be incredibly rewarding.
If you’re thinking about taking the leap, here’s my summed up advice:
✔ Save at least six months’ worth of living expenses before quitting your job.
✔ Prepare yourself mentally—some months will be great, others will be tough.
✔ Always be proactive—when things are slow, use the time wisely to grow your business.
✔ Learn to manage your time and money—both are key to making freelancing sustainable.
For me, freelancing has given me the freedom, flexibility, and family time I always wanted. I work smarter, I earn efficiently, and—most importantly—I get to be present for my wife and son.
Is it always easy? No.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
So, if you’re considering freelancing, do your research, plan ahead, and take the leap when you’re ready. It might just be the best decision you ever make.
What’s Next?
Hopefully this is just the beginning of the conversation! In upcoming posts, I’ll dive deeper into the realities of working from home as a parent, from managing distractions to staying productive while balancing family life.
So, if you’re navigating the world of freelancing, remote work, or simply trying to find better work-life balance as a parent—stay tuned!
Let’s figure this out together. See you in the next one!