As I mentioned last week on my personal blog, working through the stomach flu is no fun. In outsider theory, the freelance lifestyle is packed with proverbial goodies such as setting our own hours (I wish that were always true), working in our pajamas (ok, this one I sometimes abide by) and firing the clients we hate (unless, of course, we can’t afford to).
Unfortunately, along with all that tasty freedoms comes a few drawbacks, like not getting paid time off, having to deal with lots of neurotic ‘bosses’ rather than just one, and feeling obligated to tote our laptops with us to the potty when we’re puking.
So, maybe that last point was an exaggeration. But seriously, freelancing isn’t as rosy as some people who don’t freelance seem to think it is.
Here are my top five complaints for today:
1. The job market’s riddled with… riddles.
Ever had those days where your morning starts out with reading a job ad that’s super vague, and it ends with banging your head against the wall when your response for clarification turns up as an auto-response trying to sell you the latest Want to make MORE MONEY as a FREELANCE WRITER resource for $9.95? While it might be a lovely resource packed with truly exclusive information (although I doubt it), it’s not a job offer, which means this ad doesn’t belong on a job board. But hey… we writers live to laugh.
2. The knocking neighbor syndrome is haunting.
A “can I borrow an egg” here and a “come out and see my dog’s new trick” there make concentrating on a Saturday afternoon project rather spotty. A response of “I’m busy working” usually gets a glazed over look that faintly whispers of “Why don’t you ever take time off?” Sometimes they actually say it.
3. Some clients are just clueless.
There will be clients who think telling you your invoice landed in their spam folder is a good excuse. There will be clients who can’t spell or even bother to use a spellcheck but then question your use of the word “their” instead of “there” — as in, “Shouldn’t you have used “there” their?” There will be clients who think they can pay you in donuts. If you’re super lucky, they’ll all be the same client.
4. Other clients simply have personality disorders.
The passive aggressive is pleased until it’s time to pay the bill. The borderline personality loves you until he hates you. And the schizophrenic refers to himself (and sometimes you) in the third person.
5. Self-employed health insurance deductibles make health vs death worth debating.
You’ve come down with what you can only describe to your doctor as a vague plague, one which if left untreated you anticipate might kill you. Do you pay the $3000 deductible and get those tests run, even though you know the tests will most likely reveal nothing (or something that can’t be cured without thousands of dollars worth of medication), or do you risk death and pay your rent instead?
I hope you’ve enjoyed my freelance rant. I’ll be back soon with the regularly scheduled helpful tips. 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Way to go, Amy, you deserve a rant!
Thanks Michele.
I hope you’re starting to feel better. There are certainly more than these five downsides to freelancing as well but your list offers some of the best.
It makes me wonder sometimes WHY we freelance.
Surely there is an equal list of five reasons why freelancing is the best job in the world. Of course, I can’t think of any right this minute. Even sitting here in my PJs doesn’t make up for the headaches.
Amy,
I agree: Freelancing is definitely not easy! Thanks for pointing out–very entertainingly, I might add–some of the ironies of the profession!
I can definitely empathize with your having to work while ill. Though the worst of it is over, I’m still battling a whale of a cold and, like you, I had to call upon every last ounce of strength–or was it sheer willpower?–to complete and turn in a few writing assignments by deadline, no matter how bad I felt. It was tough, to say the least!
I adore writing and appreciate my freelance assignments–but freelance writing is rarely a bed of roses!
Thanks for a great post!
Jeanne
Hi Rebecca,
I am indeed starting to feel better, although last time I said this I jinxed myself…
I do prefer the freelance life to the office life. At least when I’m working long hours now, I know it’s an investment I’m making for myself. Back at the law firm, I didn’t have that consolation.
Sometimes, a good rant makes me feel better. This one did.
Thanks for reading!
Jeanne,
Ironically, I just left a comment on your blog saying I hope your cold gets better.
Freelancing is definitely not all glitz and glory. I love it better than the other things I’ve done, and I love being at home, but there are so many negatives that are rarely mentioned.
I guess this was a good way to get some things off my chest while entertaining (and hopefully educating) a few fellow writers. Of course, you know what it’s like, but every day I get at least a few emails from people asking how they can get started freelancing. It all seems so great, but I don’t think most people know both sides of it.
Anyhow, thanks for stopping by!
Amy,
Interesting thing about the comment you left at Writer’s Notes: I realized, as soon I’d read it, that you hadn’t yet read the comment I’d left on your blog! (We obviously were on the same wavelength as far as our timing for visiting each other’s blogs, though!)
Always enjoy your content!
Jeanne
Jeanne,
Yes, I laughed when I read your comment. I realized, too, that we were on the same wave length. As usual, I was slow to catch up.
Hopefully both of our illnesses will soon be distant memories!
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