I have been blogging on Fashion and Style Police for almost 4 years now. This October will make it exactly 4 years and I have been reflecting on how far I have come, and where I have my eyes on – the top. My blogging journey has been on for a while now but my freelance journey actually started the summer of last year. I stumbled on the freelance path by accident. I have always to work for myself. I feel the only way up to the heights I want to attain is through freelancing or running my own business. But I never had the guts to do it.
Before becoming a mumprenuer, I had a customer service job I hated with a passion. It was just one of those jobs people do for the paycheck, nothing more. I am a complete introvert, so working in an office with noisy colleagues was a big struggle. They did not understand my reserved nature and I didn’t understand why they could not be quiet for 5 minutes. A clash of personalities is a recipe for disaster, and that is how it felt for me then. I was also not enjoying having angry customers screaming at me all day (I wrote a bit about my life before blogging in my book – How to Cash In as a Blogger, so do have a read if you have not done so already.
I always dreamed of running my own business one day. I was never 100% sure of what I would be doing but I knew I was not caught out for the regular 9-5. Having my twins opened my eyes to earning money from home. I realised I could do a lot more with my blog and social media platforms, while caring for them at home.
I also realised I could make the most of my digital marketing background and offer Freelance PR services to businesses in need of it. And that is how I became a PR Girl.
My freelancing journey has been a roller coaster. I have learnt a lot and I am sure I would continue learning. It has not been easy, but it has been so worth it. Life as a freelancer can be hard and lonely some days but I rather have that than my previous job.
If you are thinking of going freelance or setting up your own business from home, here are some of the good things of working for yourself you will need to remember on difficult days –
Flexible Working Hours
This is a big one for me. I wanted to raise my kids myself and earn money at the same time. So I needed a very flexible job to pay the bills. Blogging and freelancing are doing just that. I like the fact that I can work from anywhere, anytime. It is the best feeling ever.
Creating My Income
The fact that I create my income is a major turn on for me. It feels epic! I find that the harder I work, the luckier I get.
Doing What I Love
The best part of it is that I love what I do so it doesn’t feel like work as such.
Here are some not so good things of working for yourself –
Chasing Invoices
I hate this part right here but I have been told it s the reality of many businesses. Chasing invoices is not my favourite task. It is more of a chore that needs to be done and I find myself doing it every week. That is why I cherish clients that make my job/life easier by paying invoices quickly.
Constantly Worrying
Working for myself means the fate of the business is in my hands. There is no one to blame for the failure of a task, for not meeting a deadline, or for not achieving the desired results. It all balls down to me and that makes me worry sometimes. Constantly worrying about where the next pay check will come from is scary but it keeps me grounded and focused on my goals.
My freelancing journey has been a hell of a ride but I won’t have it any other way. I am a work in progress and I can’t wait to write another update
Do you work for yourself full-time or as a side hustle? How are you finding it?
I’m self employed too. The worst part is definitely chasing getting paid for the work!
Yea I agree.
I’m so like you! I’m also an introvert, but admittedly miss the working environment, even sitting on a desk, even though my husband likes to remind me by saying “But Dean, you hated it remember?!” I actually had a boss who once called me aside and after praising my work, she said “I do wish though that you’d be more sociable”. After she said that to me, I knew it was time to move on. x
Yea I do miss it a little sometimes. I guess it is human to miss the old days x
Congrats on your 4 year annivesary. I have been freelance for years now. Fortunately for most of that time I’ve had regular contracts but I do hate chasing invoices. And I totally agree that doing something you love is the best part. Tx
Yes it is. Thanks Tracey.
Sounds like freelancing has its ups and downs. My folks world full-time and blog on the side and its crazy hectic, so could see the appeal of working for yourself. xx
It definitely does xx
Congratulations on your 4th year anniversary. I really love your blog and I am encouraged when I read your tips. More grease to your elbows. The vouchers will keep on rolling in.
Thanks Osime xo
Well done on completing 4 years of blogging. I admire your commitment and wish you good luck in future endeavours.
Thanks Teresa..
This is such an inspiring post! Congrats on 4 years of blogging and following your dreams x
Thanks Jodie.
Good for you well done. Also no paid holidays or time off sick but I love how fully flexible it is
Yea that sucks too..But yes I love it too.
Well done you on 4 years – and how nice to be able to look back and see how far you’ve really come. Like a lot of bloggers I’m working on trying to make it a full time job – nothing would give me greater pleasure to be honest!
Thanks..
I consider myself a stay at home parent but I do write and free lance each day. I think when the children are all in school I will definitely make it more of a business as there is no other job I would like to do!!
It is a fab job.
I love freelancing but there are two things I hate – not having a regular income……some months are great, others, not so much and chasing invoices like you
Yea hate them too.
You are doing REALLY well! Chasing invoices will ALWAYS be a pain in the backside while you are a freelancer. Just remember to add on LATE FEES if people don’t pay up on time!
I think I will start adding that on for my sanity..
That’s dedication.
Yea it is..
I imagine it must have been hell working in customer services as an introvert. I am an extrovert and super social and I HATED dealing with the general public…people can be so unpleasant! Sounds like you totally made the right decision. I hope one day to go freelance but I am scared of the pressure! Good for you for making the change. Sounds like it’s going great.
It is one of the most annoying jobs ever. People can be horrible when frustrated.
It sounds as though the freelancing world is perfect for you. It’s so great being a mum and having the flexibility you have. Kat x
Yea it is Kat x
I would love to work for myself one day. I’ve just had to go back from maternity leave part time 🙁
It does feel good.
I’ve gone the other way and gone back to working not free lancing although I’m technically the boss and employ people, in a small charity. It’s all a learning curve too. Sounds like it’s working well for you!
Yea it is..
I was fortunate enough to give up paid work when our second son was born. He has a number of disabilities and is now home educated too so I think fitting in any more jobs will be impossible right now. Maybe when he is older self employed might work?
Good luck when you do decided to go self-employed. It may be challenging at first.
I think you have to be quite strong to work freelance and be very much in control. As I don’t have a partner I couldn’t deal with the instability of wages living on my own x
Yea strength is needed.
I have worked for myself for most of my adult years, and yes it is a worry, but I am so used to it, and love it. Kaz x
Ah nice Kaz x
You are doing great Stella, I really wish I could make the step of working for myself! Love your red shoes 🙂
Thanks Claire.
i’m an intovert and I hated working in an office. I’m much happier now I’m working for myself from home.
Yea me too…
I would totally suck at chasing invoices, I can imagine that is one of the hardest parts of freelancing for sure x
It is Racheal because it also leads to irregular income.
Congrats on the 4 years!! Well done!! So amazing that you’re able to do what you love and enjoy mommahood at the same time, lovely. My employment history is way too complex and big to be put into this comment but I will just put it this way – I really want to do everything and anything to get my blog to grow. I love blogging so much <3
xox Nadia
Thanks Nadia.
I love the flexibility of working for myself. And of course I get to spend much more time with my boys.
Well done on your journey so far, here’s to many more years of rocking freelancing 🙂 x
Thanks Jayne.
I can’t ado with working for an employer. My nature to be self employed/freelance too
Yea me too..
Well done on the 4 year anniversary. My blog is 4 this year as well and it’s amazing to look back at how far I’ve come. I would like to go freelance but I earn such a good wage at the moment that it would be too risky to see if I could match or exceed that freelancing x
Thanks Stephanie x
I am very similar to you – also worked in customer service for too many years to mention and always longed to work quietly at home on my own. I was a freelance writer for several years but just started working part time again outside the home. My ideal job would be to make a living out of my blog – that’s my dream! Good for you for finding yours!
There is nothing like working quietly alone. I love it..
I’m a freelancer too and I love all of the points you do too. I also hate chasing invoices. It gets really frustrating sometimes. I’m so glad you’re making your dream work for you 🙂 xx
Thanks Chloe xx
For me, I am looking for a tim when I can work full time for myself. I am almost there and I will be more than happy to do more in the near future.
Well done Stella.
Love
Thanks hun. I am sure you will find your sweet spot soon xo
Congrats on your 4th anniversary! Well done! I think working for myself was the best decision I made.
Thanks Evelina.
Pingback: Keeping Energy Bills Low this Winter « fashionandstylepolice
Great read! Do you feel like you are making enough to make you happy without trying so hard as a freelancer?
congratulations on 4 years, i really enjoyed your post. I have only just started blogging as a mumpreneur and would love for you to check out my posts. Theres nothing like working for yourself and doing what you love each day xx
Yea it feels epic! Thanks for reading.