Life as a Freelancer

In life I have always emphasized on the importance of freedom, be it within family, friends, career and even relationships. This mindset led me to take the leap and leave my 9-5 job three years ago to embark on a thrilling journey as a freelance writer.

Living and growing up in Singapore, where conventional upbringings and lifestyles are the norm, the idea of freelancing is often met with skepticism. I vividly recall one of my friends from the army sharing a motto he learned, "Fear is temporary, Regret is forever." It's funny how I am drawing inspiration from the army, but that motto struck a chord in me.

Fast forward three years, and I can confidently say that I have no regrets. Here are some invaluable lessons I've learned as a freelancer navigating life in Singapore:

Parental and Society Approval ✅

The support of my mother has been unwavering. She has always been my strongest advocate, embracing and encouraging every decision I make. Quitting my stable corporate job and venturing into the uncertain realm of freelancing was no exception. I can still sense a trace of concern in her eyes, but she has come to accept and believe in my ability to forge my own path.

As for society... oh boy, where do I even begin? If you easily succumb to the opinions of others, this path can be daunting. Whenever I reveal that I'm a writer, the initial question I'm bombarded with is, "Which company do you work for?" Their disbelief and apprehension become palpable when I explain that I work for myself. One friend even went as far as to question, "Aren't you going to find a 'real' full-time job?"

This is my full-time job. Fortunately, I have a strong support network of close friends who consistently uplift and encourage me in this life-changing decision. Of course, I'd be lying if I said that others' opinions didn't affect me at all, but I consciously choose to focus on the perspectives of those who truly matter to me.

Work from anywhere ☕️

One of the greatest perks of freelancing is the freedom it affords me in terms of time. I relish the ability to work from anywhere. Some days, I choose to explore different cafes, immersing myself in a productive atmosphere. There's something about working in a cafe that sparks a unique sense of motivation, right? #maincharactervibes ✨ let's not forget the time I brought my work to Bali during a vacation with friends, where I encountered a thriving community of digital nomads. That experience solidified my desire to continue living this fulfilling life, making the prospect of returning to a 9-5 job feel almost unimaginable.

Giving up time 🕰️

Ironically, while freelancing grants me abundant time, I've found myself sacrificing it to earn additional income. During intense periods, I often toil away until the early hours of the morning before calling it a day. It's important to note that this is a choice I've made for myself, driven by the desire to save for the future and winter periods. As an individual working solo, there's a limit to how much one can accomplish in a day to earn a certain amount. Sometimes, you must sacrifice sleep and personal time to reach your financial goals.

I hope this post did not bore you guys out! 😅There’s still a lot more lessons I learnt during these close to 3 years journey and I hope to share it all with you guys one day. #freelancing