Two years ago, I took a leap of faith and left the world of freelancing to work a 9 to 5 job. At the time, it felt like a daunting decision, but looking back now, I am glad I did it.
Don’t get me wrong, freelancing has its advantages. I was freelancing on PeoplePerHour, oDesk and Elance which now is UPWORK, and also Freelance (I did not get a single job on this one). I had double profiles there since I helped a lot my husband as well :D. It is true that, it allows you to work on your own terms, set your own schedule, and choose the projects you work on. But it also has its downsides.
The uncertainty of if your next paycheck is coming on time can be stressful, and there’s no one else to blame if something goes wrong.
You are your own boss, your own employee, and your own accountant. It’s a lot to handle, especially if you’re not good at managing your time and finances.
For me, freelancing meant sacrificing my sleep and social life.
There were weeks where I would work non-stop just to meet deadlines, only to find myself without any work for the next few weeks. It was a constant cycle of feast or famine, and it left me feeling burnt out and exhausted.
But the final straw for me was dealing with difficult clients.
As a web developer and software engineer, I had to deal with bugs in the programming, but I also had to deal with clients who were demanding, unappreciative, and sometimes downright rude. It made me realize that I didn’t want to spend my entire career dealing with difficult people.
So, I decided to try something different.
I applied for a job at an agency, and I was surprised at how quickly I got hired. It was a relief to know that I would be working for a company that would take care of the clients, and I could focus on doing the work I loved.
Working a 9 to 5 job has its own set of challenges, but I found that it’s a lot more predictable and stable than freelancing. My salary is guaranteed, and I don’t have to worry about chasing after clients for payments. I also have more free time outside of work, which allows me to pursue hobbies and spend time with friends and family.
One of the biggest advantages of working for an agency is that I get to collaborate with other talented professionals. I am constantly learning from my colleagues, and we work together to solve problems and create amazing work for our clients. It’s a team effort, and I find that I thrive in this kind of environment.
Looking back on the past two years, I am glad I made the switch from freelancing to working a 9 to 5 job EVEN MORE NOW, THAT WE HAVE unlimited REMOTE FULL TIME WORK possibilities (thanks to GOD). It’s not for everyone, but for me, it’s been a great decision. I have found more stability, a better work-life balance, and a more fulfilling career.