The Freelance Leap: A Year of Growth, Freedom, and Family

It’s been an entire year since I took the plunge into the wild, yet wonderful world of freelancing. And, let me tell you, it’s definitely been a journey filled with unexpected lessons, just a few mental breakdowns, and a whole list of tasks and questions with the top one being, “Did I make the right decision?” As I sit here, reflecting on the past 12 months, I can confidently say—freelance was absolutely the right move for a multitude of reasons.

For years, I worked at various studios and agencies where I was constantly feeling burnt out, questioning if I picked the right career path, and honestly, feeling like a small, but mighty fish in a very large, very male-dominated pond. My soft voice was often drowned out by louder, more "authoritative" voices, and let’s not even talk about the micromanagement or I may start screaming as I write this. Overall, the grind was slowly wearing me down by the end of last year.

So, I took the leap. After yet another corporate layoff—this time with just an hour’s notice before my salary was replaced by unemployment checks—I realized something: I wasn’t going back. That hour was all I needed to make the decision that had been simmering in the back of my mind for years. I was done with the false sense of security agency life offered. I traded in the “safety net” of agency life for the unknowns of freelancing.

Sure, it sounded like a dream at first: “I get to be my own boss!”. But, as many freelancers will tell you: freelance is the road less traveled for a reason. There are to-do lists that never end, endless back-and-forths with clients, and don’t even get me started on the math (hello budgets and invoicing) as well as the tax season torture. There are days when solitude feels like a friend, and other days when you realize you haven’t spoken to a soul and it’s already 2pm. And then, of course, there’s that nagging voice in your head again asking, “Ok…am I sure I made the right decision?”.

But then something happened to my family this year that made it all clear. My brother, my mother, and my sweet grandmother all had some unfortunate medical emergencies that required me to drop everything and be present for my family. As I sat in waiting rooms, often from early morning until the afternoon, I realized just how much freelancing had given me. In a corporate setting, I’d likely have received a quick condolence followed by questions like, “How much PTO do you have left?” or “When can we expect you back in the office?” But my freelance clients—whom I had carefully chosen—were nothing short of understanding. They didn’t ask for timelines that I couldn’t possibly provide, nor did they push deadlines. Instead, they asked, “How much time do you need?” and “How’s your family?”. They didn’t question my situation or my commitment to my work. All they did was show they genuinely cared.

That was my "aha" moment. Freelance is more than just flexibility; it’s about building relationships that value you as a human first, and a professional second. In the pie chart of life, work is just a sliver. Family, friends, health, and personal growth? Those are the big, juicy, flavorful slices that make life meaningful.

Freelance has given me the freedom to prioritize what matters. It’s the freedom to shape my calendar so I can work from bed when the world feels too overwhelming, or rearrange my day to spend time with my family when they need me most. It’s the freedom to work with clients who value my opinions, trust that I’ll get the job done, and respect my time. It’s the community of creatives, from the West to the East Coast, who gather with me weekly to share tips, support each other, and remind me that there’s more to life than Slack messages and endless virtual calls. (Shout out to my emotional support group of freelancers who kept me sane this year!) It’s the freedom to keep learning—whether it’s mastering new technology or exploring fresh platforms—because, in this line of work, the mindset of a student never stops. And perhaps most profoundly, it’s the freedom to put myself, my family, and my well-being first—not just as an afterthought, but as a priority.

Freelance has shown me that success isn’t just about the work you produce, but about having the freedom to live life on your terms. Freelancing has been a decision that’s given me grace when I needed it most and for that I will be forever grateful.?

So here's to one year of discovering the ropes to the freelance world, being able to be there for my loved ones when they needed me, and to be reminded every day that life is about balance—not burnout.?

As I dig into my metaphorical life pie, I’m grateful for the work I get to do, which fills me with purpose and passion. I’m grateful for the warmth my clients gave this year. But alongside that, I’ll savor a generous slice of family, a healthy portion of self care, and a good helping of freedom to live. Because in the end, work is just one part of a life well-lived. It’s this balance that helps me soar with grace as I continue to leap into the next year.