THINGS YOU MIGHT MISS FROM YOUR 9-5 WHEN YOU GO FREELANCE
Going freelance is one of the best decisions many people make. The freedom, flexibility, and ability to design a personaliSed lifestyle can be game-changers. But freelancing isn’t all beachside laptop sessions and midweek lie-ins. It’s hard work, unpredictable at times, and can be stressful in ways that many don’t expect.
There are days when freelancers wonder if life would be simpler with a 9-5 job, a steady paycheck, and paid holidays. The Free Life is all about embracing freelancing in its reality - the highs and the lows. Here’s what many freelancers miss about traditional jobs, and more importantly, how they can overcome these challenges.
1. The Predictable Paycheck
What’s Missed: Knowing exactly how much will be earned each month and never having to chase invoices.
How to Overcome It: Budgeting based on the lowest earning months, maintaining an emergency fund, and diversifying income with retainer clients, digital products, and passive income streams. Setting up clear payment terms in contracts also helps avoid late payments.
2. The Social Side
What’s Missed: Office banter, having work friends, and general human interaction during the workday.
How to Overcome It: Working from cafés or co-working spaces for a change of scenery, connecting with other freelancers online, and scheduling social time outside of work.
3. Clocking Off at 5 PM
What’s Missed: The ability to shut the laptop at the end of the day and not think about work.
How to Overcome It: Setting work hours, turning off notifications in the evenings, and actively planning breaks and time off to avoid working 24/7.
4. Paid Holidays & Sick Days
What’s Missed: Being able to take time off without worrying about lost income.
How to Overcome It: Factoring time off into rates, creating passive income streams, and planning ahead for breaks to avoid scrambling to make up for lost income.
5. A Clear Career Path
What’s Missed: Promotions, performance reviews, and clear steps to progress.
How to Overcome It: Setting personal career goals, investing in learning through courses and mentorship, and building a brand to attract higher-paying clients and opportunities.
6. Office Perks
What’s Missed: Free coffee, good office chairs, and company-paid software and tools.
How to Overcome It: Investing in a comfortable workspace, treating oneself to good coffee, and viewing expenses as an investment in business growth.
7. Not Having to Chase Payments
What’s Missed: Getting paid automatically without awkward follow-ups.
How to Overcome It: Using automated invoicing, requesting deposits upfront, and having clear contracts to ensure timely payments.
8. A Sense of Team
What’s Missed: Collaborating with others and celebrating wins together.
How to Overcome It: Networking with other freelancers, celebrating milestones within online communities, and remembering that freelancing allows for building something on one’s own terms.
9. Work-Life Separation
What’s Missed: Having a physical separation between work and home.
How to Overcome It: Creating a dedicated workspace, working from different locations when needed, and setting clear “no work” hours.
10. Fully Switching Off
What’s Missed: Not having work constantly on the mind.
How to Overcome It: Setting boundaries, taking proper breaks, and remembering why freelancing was chosen in the first place—to live a life of freedom and flexibility.
Freelancing isn’t always easy, but for most, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. While there may be moments of nostalgia for a 9-5, many freelancers wouldn’t trade the freedom they have now for anything.
What do you miss most about traditional employment, and how do you overcome it? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇