Lessons from 10 Years of Freelancing

Credits

Author: Rami Hage-Obeid

Lessons from 10 Years of Freelancing

As a self-taught designer, my path into freelancing has been anything but traditional. I didn’t have formal training, nor did I have mentors to guide me when I started. Instead, my journey has been a cycle of trying, failing, and learning, over and over again. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through this unconventional road, it’s that each failure has its own value. It teaches you how to fail better.

Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for everyone who’s influenced me along the way, often unknowingly. Those subtle moments of inspiration, encouragement, or even constructive criticism from others have shaped who I am as a designer and freelancer today.

Reflecting on a Decade of Self-Employment

On the 14th of April 2024, I reached a big milestone: 10 years of self-employment. That’s 3890 days. To celebrate, I had the opportunity to share my freelance journey with design students at Concordia University in Montreal. The experience reminded me how important it is to speak openly about the realities of freelancing, the challenges, rewards, emotional highs and lows, and everything in between.

Freelancing is tough. There are moments of doubt and uncertainty, times when you’re questioning if this was the right decision. But at the same time, it’s deeply fulfilling to know you’re in charge of your own creative path. Sharing these honest reflections felt like a way to give back to the next generation of creatives who are just starting out.

Lessons for Aspiring Freelancers

For anyone navigating their own creative path, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

  1. Embrace Failure: The road will be bumpy. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also necessary for growth. Each failure is a lesson.
  2. Community Matters: Even when you’re working solo, you don’t have to go it alone. Building relationships and surrounding yourself with supportive peers can make a world of difference.
  3. Stay Curious: There’s always more to learn. Whether it’s about your craft, the business side of freelancing, or just life in general, curiosity will keep you moving forward.
  4. Balance is Key: Freelancing gives you flexibility, but it also blurs the line between work and life. Learning how to set boundaries is essential.

What’s Next?

Even after 10 years, I feel like I’m just scratching the surface. There’s still so much to explore and improve upon, as a designer, a business owner, and a person. That’s what excites me the most about this journey.

If you’re someone who’s curious about freelancing, navigating your creative path, or just looking for an honest take on the realities of this world, I’m excited to share more reflections in future posts. Let’s connect, exchange ideas, and continue learning together.

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