I wonder if I’m the only one who feels that the concepts of freelancing and the phrases associated with it are starting to become clichéd. It seems that everyone who talks about freelancing nowadays (and perhaps I’m one of them) falls into the trap of assuming that freelancing is an escape from restrictions and bosses, a path to that rosy, beautiful freedom. The idea of sitting behind your home desk, surrounded by colorful sticky notes and famous motivational books, with your cup of coffee on your left, waiting to start reaping the rewards or successes just by following those four steps you read in an article here or there.
And I wonder if it’s destined for most of the concepts and narratives that are widely circulated in our Arab environment to become “clichés,” where we always gravitate towards the unrealistic side of everything. We read and write the same recycled phrases, rehashing them in articles multiple times to produce a golden piece about freelancing.
But, did the writer of these articles ever ask themselves these questions before writing them?
Does freelancing really mean absolute freedom?
Yes, freedom in terms of location only, but on a personal and internal level, is there freedom in practicing freelancing? Definitely not. The internal constraints you impose on yourself are much greater than those related to place or people.
Does freelancing mean there are no higher-ups or bosses?
No, in a regular job, you have one or two bosses, but in freelancing, your boss is your conscience, your tasks, your clients, and everyone you deal with.
Does freelancing make you rich?
Freelancing means sleepless nights just to secure your needs and achieve a sense of comfort or stability. Freelancing means following up with your clients day and night. Freelancing means that constant anxiety of fearing this month might pass without any new clients.
Does freelancing mean setting up a website and starting to earn money the next day?
Not necessarily. Setting up a portfolio or registering on a freelancing platform and working on mock projects doesn’t mean you’ll start receiving real projects and earning money. Of course, the logic of taking steps and connecting the dots is sound, but it’s not something you can solely rely on for a life-changing decision, like quitting your job.
Are success stories in freelancing a guarantee of your own success?
Success stories are motivating, nice, and spread quickly, and everyone reads them. But are they truly beneficial? No. Just because one person’s method worked for them doesn’t mean it will work for you. The differences in time, place, and execution style must be considered.
Do great products always mean great sales?
No. Many excellent products have never seen the light of day or gained any recognition. It’s not a pessimistic view that caused them to vanish; the circumstances aren’t always favorable, and users aren’t always interested in your product, website, or work. And the compliments from your friends and those around you aren’t always genuine or truthful.
Do those neatly laid out steps define freelancing accurately?
No. The phrases that romanticize freelancing, self-reliance, and earning profits through clear steps—these are phrases written by people like me after completing a couple of successful projects, then forgetting to revise them when faced with dozens of failed attempts.
Does freelancing require only courage?
No. Freelancing requires a hundred other things besides courage. Courage can sometimes mean recklessness, and relying solely on courage can lead to failure. Courage is a marketing slogan invented by the privileged.
Unfortunately, they tricked you by saying:
Freelancing… in your work, opinions, desires, and choices. Just as others have succeeded, you can too.
Whether you turn to freelancing or regular employment, the first and only measure is you. It’s not about their words or mine, or what I’ve written and will write in all my articles. The only measure is your experience, skill, and that restless feeling you get while dreaming of your achievements and what you want to accomplish. Whether you’re freelancing or working a regular job, you are the focal point. Whether you have a boss or not, whether you’re waiting for your end-of-month salary or that payment from your new client…
Read all these blog posts, tweets, and beautiful words we write in your free time, then close them and return to your real life. Don’t base anything on them. Articles about steps to success and golden dreams are either the fashion of this era or, as writers, we deceive ourselves to feel optimistic and see that our choices and everything we do are good and great. But for you, don’t be fooled along with us and remember:
The core and truth of freelancing are: your ideas, experiences, and life.
It’s all about: You.