More than ever people are straying from the 9-5 lifestyle to work freelance or run their own business. I’m one of them. Of all the challenges of working for yourself: inconsistent income, complicated taxes, constant hustling, the worst is the comments from people who just don’t get it. If you find yourself saying one of these things to a freelancer friend, stop. We’ve heard it already and we hate you.
“Are you looking for a real job?”
Nope. This is the real job.
“I’ve always thought about being a writer/blogger/painter/consultant.”
This one really gets me going. I’ve been working towards becoming a writer my whole life. I interned at writers orgs, went to school for journalism, and have many publications in my portfolio. Not to mention the talent factor. It’s so degrading to just assume you can take up a job and operate on a professional level. Would you go into an executive’s office and say “I’ve always thought about being a CEO?”
“Must be nice living the life of leisure.”
Yes, working 70 hour weeks for a paycheck that may or may not come is just like the princess movies described. Don’t get me wrong, there are major perks to working freelance, which is why I chose to do it. But it’s hard work.
“Yeah, but your taxes must be terrible.”
First of all, mind your business. I don’t go around asking about your retirement package. Second of all, freelance taxes are just different. They’re higher but you can also write off expenses. It’s rude to try and negate the awesomeness of my job with tax requirements.
“You can relax on the weekend.”
Weekends don’t exist for freelancers. We work every, single day. Not Monday-Friday, Monday-Monday. That’s not to say work-life balance doesn’t exist. In fact, I’ve found my work-life balance to be better and healthier than when I worked 9-5. But not everyone works on that live-for-the-weekend schedule.
“We’d love to compensate you with this amazing exposure!”
The “free” in freelancer stands for freedom not free work. Portfolio building is what college was for. Now mama’s gotta pay bills so either compensate me fairly or I’m moving on to someone who will.
“Why are you so dressed up, don’t you work at home?”
Freelance doesn’t translate to working at home and working at home doesn’t translate to sweatpants. Though I sometimes write at home I have a crazy schedule of interviews, meetings, travel, and photoshoots. And when I am home, I wear normal clothes. Because I’m a human not a second semester senior with a Hollister hangover.
“Well, you don’t have to go to work tomorrow!”
Yes, I do. Just because I don’t have an office doesn’t mean I’m not working. I don’t just take days off with wild abandon.
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Here’s the lowdown. Freelance work is not for the faint of heart. I work harder and more than I ever did at a 9-5. But I love every minute of it. Not only am I doing work I actually enjoy but I get to plan my time as I want it, travel with much greater flexibility, and wear whatever I damn well please. For many people, including myself, freelance work is a way to get paid for your passion. And working a job you love is the greatest feeling in the world.
So the next time you open your mouth to ask a freelancer if they actually make any money, close it. Or we will close it for you.