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Lesson Learned: Perks & Pits No.2

So I’ve been doing this freelance full time thing for almost three months now. Somehow I’ve managed to provide myself with a full week’s paycheck each week, a paycheck that is more than I was making at my 9-5 job. The whole thing seems unbelievable to me, especially since I’ve managed to create a work day that I love.

I’ve continued to keep track of some of the perks & pits that I’ve experienced along the way so far, 3 months in.

Perks:
– Sitting outside on the stoop, smack dab in the middle of the workday…drinking wine with a best friend
– Changing your daily plans…whenever you feel like it. Not inspired enough to blog, just switch gears.
– Regaining my nights and weekends. I’ve stayed strong and kept my word…No working (if at all possible) on nights and weekends.
– Now that I have more time to schedule each day as I wish, my inbox is almost always at zero by the end of the day.
– Sitting on my couch with laptop at 3:00 in the afternoon, with the sun pouring in the windows, the windows wide open, the ceiling fan on, and the birds chirping. Best work environment ever!! Check out OptimumWindow.com for one of the most diverse selections of custom steel windows and doors.

Pits:
– I’ve become obsessed with my Swiffer. Since I work in my living room, every time my floor get AT ALL dirty…I Swiffer.
– Being too lazy to get dressed. I told myself I wasn’t going to fall into this habit of jammy-wearing all day long, but the truth is…I have. Boo!
– I’m still having a really hard time remembering to each lunch, but I am getting better at eating leftovers
– You know that moment when every client you have “active” at the moment decides to email you needing something…yeah, that stinks.
– Not having taxes automatically taken out from each payment is ONE BIG TEASE. so mean.

So at month 3, the perks are still outweighing the pits. I can’t imagine ever going back to a 9-5 office job, ever and I can’t believe I waited so long to make the leap. Silly me.

15 comments on “Lesson Learned: Perks & Pits No.2

  1. I’m so excited to read this! I’m happy to hear you’ve been able to maintain the paycheck….now you just need to share HOW you’re doing that part :p

    Also, I can totally relate to your jammies-all-the-time and forgetting to eat lunch.

    1. Thanks for stopping by Alicia. I’ll have to write a post about HOW I’ve managed to keep the paycheck (for now at least). Freelance is ever-changing and my consistency now, may change any moment.

  2. so encouraging :D. I think I’m almost ready…
    Did you find or use any resources to get your head around the accounting/taxes part of it? Money is definitely not my strong suite and I want to be as prepped as possible.

  3. Ahh, I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been at this for 6 months and I still have to force myself to get dressed. I feel so much better when I do! Maybe I should jump in there now… lol.

    Also, taxes ARE the pits. So confusing now.

  4. What an incredible journey! I must say that I am a tiny bit envious, it sounds like you have done a great job at keeping yourself organized and maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Best of luck with your taxes!

    1. Thanks Kait. I’m definitely still trying to figure it all out and work out the kinks along the way. It’s going to be a process.

  5. Stay focused, keep busy with projects you love, and the Perks will always out way the pits. Remember when starting out on something new, allow time for the craziness to settle down.

    1. Thanks Vanessa. It’s amazing how much easier it becomes to see the positive in things when you’ve hit rock bottom (in your career – my last job). Wishing you the best of luck with your new job 🙂

  6. I think those are pretty much my pros and cons as well. I really need to contact someone about the tax thing bc I am an American living abroad and I have not filed since I have been away but I think maybe I should have. So confusing!

  7. I’m so happy for you Cassie! Such an exciting start for you. I hope one day I’ll be able to enjoy the freelance life as well. I hope you’re having a good week so far.

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