Why I’m Quitting Freelancing for Financial Security
But I'll probably still write freelance content
The jig is up.
I’m working full-time again after freelancing for most of 2021. Some of you know me as a writer who writes about freelancing (what a mouthful), but alas, I’m switching things up.
I mean, this very Substack is called “Part Time” for a reason. But it’s time to part ways with the name. No, I still haven’t thought of a new name for it.
Technically I have a month before I start, so I have a cheeky little deadline to get my act together.
“Job security” has a nasty reputation on the internet. It assumes a lack of freedom.
Let’s get over it, people.
I, for one, am excited to start this next chapter of my life.
When you have money, you have freedom. Money gives you ample choices.
There isn't much you can control in the world, but you can manage your choices. Only you know what’s best for you.
I wouldn't leave for just anything
As I’ll explain later, I like variety.
I liked having different projects to work on in various fields. I know I’m not the best writer, photographer, or web designer, but each requires a similar set of skills I know I have.
I have my reasons for going full-time, and they aren’t solely financial ones.
I still choose to work from home. I get to choose the car I want because I can afford it. I can choose to air-fry chicken and veggies for lunch in the middle of the workday.
Going full-time makes my life easier, and as a result, saves more energy to accomplish work tasks to the best of my ability.
Determining the type of work that’s best for you is a matter of balancing your goals with your current lifestyle.
I don’t want to lose out on either. Working from home helps me eat healthier. Working from home spares me a 40-minute commute. Now, I can use the extra time for my after-hours side hustle.
Maybe working from home and being fortunate to do work I’m passionate about is the actual reason I’m writing this. There’s a lot of hype around the gig economy, and it seems like everyone wants a contract position these days.
That’s because people understand the value of their time. They're willing to go months without work, even if it means they aren't making money, so they can have more time with their families or have an open schedule for an extended vacation.
Everyone’s perception of time is different. Naturally, how I perceive a “healthy meal” is different from how you see it. With that in mind, even a full-time gig, so long as I can work from home, is a ‘freakin blessing.
Variety is the spice of life
I don’t eat chicken and rice every night.
That’s what bodybuilders say you should do, but you’re missing out on so many flavors. I make anabolic french toast for dinner sometimes; call me crazy.
The longest job I’ve ever held was for three years. I was a tutor, and while it was a good job for me out of college, I couldn’t do it forever. I quit. My boss wasn’t happy (at first), but I moved forward.
I focused on a similar career path and started teaching.
That didn’t last. Clients were knocking on my door for the first time in my life. Life works in mysterious ways. We tend to get what we want when we aren’t actively looking for “it.”
So I decided to freelance. I did wacky jobs like shooting photos for dessert snacks and writing articles about wifi routers.
The variety of work kept me interested. I fell in love with the idea of making something for myself. But then I realized the weight of my own desires.
I never quite grasped the scale of all my expenses. I was living at my parents’ house at the time, rent-free, mind you, so I was stacking money, not knowing how fast it would go away once you move out.
So, I did something to mitigate my financial risk.
I stopped relying on side hustles to make ends meet. That took the pressure off my writing, and now I write freely because a side hustle should be something you love.
Work I enjoy makes ends meet, while a side hustle is an investment toward your future.
Your goals are supposed to change
I’m not big on New Year's resolutions, but I have one for this year.
When I worked on my startup, I went out and shot tons of photo content for our social media accounts. It was great because I had an excuse to shoot photos in exotic locations.
We went to nearby mountains and even used a trip to Thailand to double as a content grab bag. It was fun. I’d never been so in touch with my inner artist.
But then the pandemic happened, and blah blah, the world went to rubbish. I stopped shooting because, well, the business wasn’t able to stay afloat.
Here’s the thing: just because I stopped taking photos for my business didn’t mean I forgot how. With my portfolio of work, I was able to attract client work in 2021.
I took pictures for big CPG brands and even shot my first wedding.
Where I’m getting at is that even though I’m not technically freelancing anymore, I still have practical freelancing knowledge to share.
I’m not going to stop writing freelance content because I work full time.
People change with the times. I’m doing what’s best for me by securing my fiances as a young person, taking my earnings, and investing in them.
Who knows, maybe I’ll return to my roots, but I love where I’m until then.
Let’s wrap things up
It’s Thursday night, and the anticipation of the weekend is hitting me.
Here’s a truth bomb:
Dream jobs don’t exist.
Work is still work, no matter how much you like your job. However, there’s something about finding meaning in the work you do.
Yeah, we want money. Some 9–5 jobs feel like a race against the clock. Do you ever notice how the best work days have something to do with forces in your life outside of work?
The key to happiness isn’t in the work you do. It’s not the ROI’s or the profit margins. It’s knowing that you’re doing something, to the best of your ability, that changes someone's life at least 1%.
We’re here, after all, aren't we? We may as well do something meaningful with the limited time we have.
You won’t read my other popular stories…
I also bet you won’t share this post with your friends ;)