[Edward_Mordake]

Hey folks. Just signed up for the forum. I'm a full-time freelance writer. Curious: How many people here are freelancers? And of you freelancers, what do you do?

And, more importantly... how do you deal with the uncertainty and stress that comes with being freelance? Sometimes I deal with it alright... and sometimes my deadlines (or even little things, like being asked to do new tasks by clients or collaborators) just break me.

Only got diagnosed with Bipolar-II a month ago... and while it's reassuring to know that the disorder is part of why I respond to work stress so badly, I'm not sure what accommodations I need to start making in my career to keep my episodes from getting too bad.

[Crazy Hitch]

Wow I feel for your anxiety.

I thrive on structure, stability and predictability so hats off to you for hanging in there for freelance writing!

I've noticed some really great writers here on the forum in the way they express themselves and the way that they write and I think wow what a gift some people have. So you're in a bit of a conundrum because you're good at what you do but you don't have a sense of "stability".

I'm a teacher by trade (currently not working) but really don't know if I'd cope with temp work not knowing where I'm going every day. I'd only manage short term 6-12 month contacts. I don't even think I should state this because it's stating the obvious but if you found a more "permanent" form of writing like for a newspaper or magazine would that be an option ........

[Victoria'smom]

My husband freelances but his clients are always through his best friends company as a web designer . Also he sells his free standing books. I would like him to get into article writing for cricket magazine but he hasn't attempted that yet. Since it falls back on a company his friend isn't against calling him every hour and enlisting my help to get him to finish something before deadline. At times I have to help complete things but since it always has to be approved before a client sees it his work is consistent. The best thing we did was set up hours for him. No matter what mood he's in he has 6 hours he has to be working. That doesn't mean he doesn't pull all nighters but At Least he regularly gets something done. However he feels he's to inconsistent to not just be a volunteer. So the company provides everything he needs for each project as well as shares in the company. They want him as a full time employee but he's gunshy because he "doesn't want to let us all down again. My only solution is simplify your life and drop the most unpredictable clients.

[frozen_with_snow]

I freelance as teaching artist. I'm also currently working at a bakery. I wanted a little more stability of income and schedule, which is why I took the bakery job. Freelancing can be stressful, but now I feel I can do it with less worries about money.

[Edward_Mordake]

Thanks @Hooligan! Yeah, it's definitely a conundrum. I'm doing the thing I want to be doing in life... but I don't have any stability. The depression strongly gets in the way of my writing (or of me getting basically anything done — as my tax penalties will point out). The hypomania can be great for getting writing done... or I can just be so besieged by ideas that I can't focus on anything long enough to finish it. And the anxiety that comes with both makes things really difficult, too.

"if you found a more "permanent" form of writing like for a newspaper or magazine would that be an option"

The thing is — I write comic books for a living. And there's basically no staff writer jobs in comics, so that's not an option. Also, comics is paying me a whole lot more for less work than when I tried to make it as a freelance journalist — so for that and other reasons, I don't really want to switch to a different writing medium.

@Miguel'smom —
"The best thing we did was set up hours for him. No matter what mood he's in he has 6 hours he has to be working. That doesn't mean he doesn't pull all nighters but At Least he regularly gets something done."

I really need to do this. I have no real work schedule, and it means that some days I get a whole lot done... but most days, I just don't end up working that much. Which makes it hard to get by.

[Curious651]

I cannot say much about being a freelance worker, but I can say without a schedule and structure in my life, I am screwed. I need to have a structure and even with the structure I go through cycles. I believe that it is my structure, tools, and knowledge that allows me to work through my mood changes. I make sure I get moving at six every morning. Even weekends. I follow a set time structure each day. Hope you find a beneficial path that works for you. I will state that I do have stress at work which does send me into tail spin at times, but I can manage to work through it. Welcome.

[jesusplay]

how much money do you make?

[CozyMellie]

I was doing freelance for 2 years. But during that time I didn't feel as productive as when I was doing a 9 to 5 with freelance work on the side. I missed the structure and knowing that I would get a pay check every two weeks.

Eventually I found a niche in my field where I am able to work on a project by project basis. I work for someone else and get paid weekly. My work is very stressful but knowing that my jobs have a start and end date puts my mind at ease. I don't have to worry about being stuck in a job that I hate forever. And it still gives me time to do my freelance work. Also, I live wayyy below my means so having savings also puts my mind at ease.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've been a freelancer for years, now pretty much full-time since I don't have a "real" job. I don't make much money so I can't count on it to support myself, but it's what I always wanted to do and just didn't have much time for when I was working. Hopefully I'll be able to turn it into a moneymaker while I'm waiting on disability.

[Trippin2.0]

I wish I could freelance.

I would love to be able to write, and I'm not even picky about the subject, but I honestly wouldn't even know where to start.


I think it would be a good way to do what I love and make a supplementary income as I'm not too keen on the idea of working fulltime again...


Maybe you should create a schedule for yourself, and try to adhere to it as much as possible. Or at least commit to a set amount of time per day...


That's what I would do anyway.