Post

Daniel Benneworth-Gray
@danielgray.com

“Separate yourself from your profession. That’s what I do, that’s not what I am” – he was talking about acting, but it’s absolutely the same in any freelance job. This idea of being on 24/7 is exceedingly unhealthy.

Daniel Benneworth-Gray
@danielgray.com

I think this is why imposter syndrome goes hand in hand with freelancing. Every gap between jobs turns into an existential crisis.

10 reposts195 likes

Design Guy
@daumdesign.bsky.social

I was a successful graphic designer (now retired). I “solved” this feeling by developing an understanding that I was not freelance, but instead I was self employed. I set my hours. I chose which jobs to accept. I established my compensation. Once I did that, I received more work than I had before.

Daniel Benneworth-Gray
@danielgray.com

… only exacerbated when clients don’t pay on time (kind of a tangent, but to hell with it). If your job involves hiring freelancers, PAY THEM. Every single day that invoice is overdue is another little chip at their financial AND mental well-being.

Dave
@abhos.bsky.social

As self employed myself, this hits home. I used to think it was just a feeling the pressure from a "cashflow is king" thing (also critical), but yeah, it's the doubt.

Daniel Benneworth-Gray
@danielgray.com

Trying to connect Neill’s video and that tangent – the fact is that there’s now more freelancers than ever, and no mental health support framework to support them. Like, AT ALL. Stepping out of the workplace shouldn’t have to mean abandoning all safety nets.

CorvidDesign
@corviddesign.bsky.social

This is precisely why most freelancers demand payment upfront these days. If you aren’t willing to pay at least half beforehand, I’ll just assume you aren’t actually serious and aren’t ready to play ball.

Hoppyhead6
@hoppyhead6.bsky.social

I've heard people tell freelancers, "it must be great to be your own boss!" Maybe, but we are also our own employees, and we're not necesarily good at managing employees.