What myths have you heard about freelancing?
That you’ll easily make a fortune, have loads of free time, or that you’ll be barely surviving on crackers?
Freelancing is surrounded by rumors . Fueled by the daydreams of a desperate office worker, it’s seen as something more than just checking email in a tiny café while sipping a frothy cappuccino. Then comes a sweet afternoon nap, a stroll, and if inspiration strikes, you might even get some work done.
Of course, you’ve also heard the less glamorous stories. Long hours at the computer stretching into late nights, total isolation, clients who delay payment, make unreasonable demands, and think they know your job better than you do. And the last time you saw your friends, they barely recognized the pale shadow you’d become.
But is there a golden middle ground?
Or maybe something even better?
I’d like to share how it’s possible to turn the myth (the good one, of course) into reality. More precisely, how to find the perfect balance between freelancing and personal life so your reality looks more like the dream you once had while sitting in a stuffy office.
#1 YOUR NEW WORK UNIFORM IS PAJAMAS
Myth:
The temptation to lounge around in boxers and a tee—or just pajamas—is strong when there’s no dress code and no need to “dress up.” You could even stash your suit, briefcase, and work shoes in the back of the closet. All you need now is a laptop and a few liters of coffee. Your lazy weekend clothes become your new daily uniform.
Reality:
As odd as it sounds, not getting dressed in the morning can seriously affect your motivation. Few realize how much the clothes we wear influence our brain’s perception of the role we’re performing.
From Myth to Reality:
While it’s important to wear clean, fresh clothes each day, no one expects you to suit up with a tie at home. Wearing pajamas all day now and then is fine—there are no rules.
Helpful Tip:
If you’re too lazy to change out of pajamas in the morning—take a shower. After that, you’ll want to change, guaranteed.
#2 YOU’LL BE SWIMMING IN MONEY
Myth:
Since you set your own rates, of course, you’ll be rolling in cash the moment you start freelancing. Maldives vacations, fancy restaurants, champagne—let the world wait!
Reality:
You’ll need to gain experience, build connections, and create a client base before you can even think about taking a break or vacation. It’s hard work, and in the beginning, it will drain you just to stay afloat and keep your gigs going until you build a name for yourself.
From Myth to Reality:
Good negotiation skills combined with a solid reputation (positive reviews from past clients) will allow you to charge what you're truly worth. Over time, with the right clients, you’ll earn more than you ever did doing the same work as an employee.
Helpful Tip:
Before quitting your job to go freelance, calculate your monthly expenses and figure out the minimum you need to live without hardship. Then decide whether you can afford to freelance full-time or if you still need your job until you get steady income.
#3 IT’S LESS STRESSFUL THAN WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE
Myth:
You’ll have time to focus on your passion, make decent money, and never deal with office politics, invoices, accounting, client meetings, or long negotiations again.
Reality:
As a freelancer, you're launching a small business. That means you're the accountant, sales manager, project lead, and CEO. You’ll be handling every step of the job, pitching your services, sending invoices, and yes—attending meetings (though they might happen at a café instead of a boardroom).
From Myth to Reality:
As you gain experience, you’ll learn to better manage clients, projects, and time. With the help of task managers and productivity tools, you can streamline your freelance life. You can even invite clients into project boards where they can comment directly—saving you from constant calls and email interruptions.
Helpful Tip:
Once the income becomes steady, consider hiring an accountant to handle your finances and keep things running while you focus on what you love.
#4 YOU’RE THE BOSS, DUDE!
Myth:
You’re a freelancer—you’re the boss! You decide how to work, when to work, and when to rest. No one to report to if you want a random day off in the middle of the week.
Reality:
Sure, there’s no boss above your head, but instead, you now have several mini-bosses—your clients. And they often have very specific ideas about how and when a project should be completed.
From Myth to Reality:
While clients may act like little bosses, you’re still in control of your work and your life. If someone’s being difficult, you can walk away from the project. Learning to choose the right clients is one of the most valuable skills you’ll develop—spotting who pays on time, trusts you, and respects your creative input. And you’ll quickly learn to recognize red flags after your first bad experience.
Helpful Tip:
Don’t be afraid to say “no.” A bad client can cost you more time, energy, and money than they’re worth in the long run.
#5 YOUR TIME BELONGS TO YOU
Myth:
As a freelancer, you control your schedule. You can wrap up work early Friday and head out with friends while your old coworkers are still stuck in the office. You’re your own boss—you can take a day off anytime just to lie on the couch.
Reality:
Working for yourself means never fully disconnecting—especially if you work from home. It’s easy to let your projects spill into your personal time, more than you’d expect. This often happens when exciting opportunities come up that you can’t refuse, even if you barely have time for them.
From Myth to Reality:
Self-discipline is the key to freelance success. Project management tools and calendars can give you freedom while still keeping you on track. Don’t overpromise or overbook yourself—learn to realistically assess how much you can do. That’s how you’ll eventually find the work-life balance freelancing is famous for.
Helpful Tip:
You can’t predict when a new client will pop up, so always leave buffer time. And if you find yourself with a slow day, use it to learn something new or improve your skills—this keeps you moving forward toward your freelance goals.
To be continued…