Many believe freelancers are the best career choice because they have complete control over their careers. Freelancers can pick the tasks they want to work on, work wherever they want, and identify the price of their service on their own terms. However, those who entered this industry first and those who shifted to freelancing discover that freelancing is more comfortable than people seem, with many saying it is a lonely career.
This article will discuss why freelancing is a lonely journey and how you can overcome it if you want to pursue this career path:
Why Is Freelancing A Lonely Journey?
One of the primary reasons people are drawn to freelancing is that you have complete control of your work. You are your own very own boss, have the power to control the details of your work, and you can control where you spend your time. You also won’t be restricted to a specific set of skills or a set of clients.
However, before you can enjoy all of this, you have to make sure you have a system in place to help you with your work. You have to do all the paperwork, find the jobs, identify the right clients and assess the quality of your work on your own. As you do this work, it can feel isolating since you have no one to help you with your work or the documents you need to prepare. You also only have someone to check your job if your clients are present, but their reviews can be rare.
Since there’s no one around you, it is also possible that you may find yourself working beyond your intended work schedule. In turn, it will cause you to lose time with your loved ones and yourself. You may also feel empty because you need someone to talk to as you work. If you don’t find ways to get past these feelings, your self-confidence may also take a hit and affect your work.
Ways To Cope With The Loneliness Caused By Freelancing
There are many ways to combat the feeling of loneliness as a freelancer. To get you started, here are some tips that can help you out:
Do Some Networking
Networking can be a great way to bring that feeling of community back to you and not feel lonely in the field. You can reach many freelancers through online forms, groups and networking events who understand your situation as a freelancer. As you engage with fellow freelancers during these opportunities, you can grow your professional network and get advice on how you can fight the loneliness brought by freelancing.
Try Joining Coworking Spaces
With the growth of freelancing, there are now areas where freelancers can work in an optimal environment and meet other freelancers. These areas are known as coworking spaces, and each space offers various amenities to help freelancers with their work. Do some research to find any coworking spaces near you, check their rates, and reserve a spot.
Collaborate With Other Freelancers
As you network, you will befriend other freelancers from the same industry or related industries. When there is an opportunity for you to collaborate with them, take the chance to do so. Not only will this alleviate the loneliness you may be feeling, but it can also help you expand your experience. It will also help you get a support team that will support you through the tough times and even provide you with the feedback you need to grow.
Seek A Mentor
You can also get support as a freelancer by working with a mentor. Check the groups you have joined or your current contacts to see who could be your mentor. They can be someone who you know who works in the same industry as you or a known name in the industry. Ask the person if they can serve as your mentor; when they do, they can provide you with advice and support you may need as a freelancer.
No matter what reason you have for freelancing, you should be ready to do everything to settle in the career and overcome the isolation it can bring you. Getting used to working independently can take a while, but once you overcome the fear and find your rhythm, you will see why many people are enthralled with freelancing.
To be successful as a freelancer, check out the tips I’ve got in my book.
