It’s been officially 10 months since I was laid off from my full-time job, and this past year has been full of lessons I never expected. Freelancing has challenged me, stretched me, and shown me a lot about myself. Here are three takeaways that stand out the most:
#1 My time and talent are valuable.
Let me say that again: my TIME and my TALENT are VALUABLE. As a freelancer, I’ve realized how much time goes into things I don’t always get compensated for—emails, brainstorming, revisions, and admin tasks. At some point, it started to feel like the norm. But stepping back, I had to remind myself: wait, no. I don’t HAVE to do that unless I’m gaining something in return.
Let me say that again: my TIME and my TALENT are VALUABLE. As a freelancer, I’ve realized how much time goes into things I don’t always get compensated for—emails, brainstorming, revisions, and admin tasks. At some point, it started to feel like the norm. But stepping back, I had to remind myself: wait, no. I don’t HAVE to do that unless I’m gaining something in return.
#2 Not everyone gets it.
Freelancing often means convincing businesses that your work is worth bringing in from the outside, instead of relying only on their internal team. From the outside, if you have a proven track record, they’ll say, “Sign me up!” But once you’re in the thick of planning, sometimes they just don’t get it. There’s little trust in the process and even less trust in the professional. As frustrating as that can be, you have to let them not get it—while trusting yourself. Because when you show up with your knowledge and skills, your work speaks for itself.
Freelancing often means convincing businesses that your work is worth bringing in from the outside, instead of relying only on their internal team. From the outside, if you have a proven track record, they’ll say, “Sign me up!” But once you’re in the thick of planning, sometimes they just don’t get it. There’s little trust in the process and even less trust in the professional. As frustrating as that can be, you have to let them not get it—while trusting yourself. Because when you show up with your knowledge and skills, your work speaks for itself.
#3 You don’t have to be everything all at once.
Too often, a Social Media Manager is expected to also be a graphic designer, videographer, assistant, marketing strategist, and creative director rolled into one. But that’s not reality. Graphic designers are hired to design. Photographers are hired to photograph. Marketing specialists are hired to market. You don’t need to be everything in order to succeed—you just need to be excellent at what you do best. Specializing is more than okay; it’s powerful.
Too often, a Social Media Manager is expected to also be a graphic designer, videographer, assistant, marketing strategist, and creative director rolled into one. But that’s not reality. Graphic designers are hired to design. Photographers are hired to photograph. Marketing specialists are hired to market. You don’t need to be everything in order to succeed—you just need to be excellent at what you do best. Specializing is more than okay; it’s powerful.
Freelancing has taught me to value myself, trust my process, and give myself permission to not be everything at once. Almost a year out of full-time work, I feel more confident stepping into the next chapter—knowing that the lessons I’ve learned are just as important as the work itself.
