I was just reflecting on the time I went full-time freelance for an entire year.
I’d done it because at the time I was working for an agency where I was staying late so much that I kept a sleeping bag at the office.
I’d done it because one of my friends had convinced me I’d instantly be rolling in cash.
I’d done it because I wanted to have an adventure and I was still young and healthy enough that I didn’t quite see the point of having health care or a matching 401k plan.
You know what I found out about myself?
I don’t really like working “alone.”
Even as a freelancer, I ended up creating a freelance collective with 3 other women and we had our own office space, branding, company events, etc.
Except, 3 other officemates also wasn’t enough for me!
It’s so weird to be this total introvert who loves her quiet time, but yet still NEED to feel a big group of people around me.
Now, I also learned consequently that I didn’t require a large team to do projects - that I could work very efficiently with less. And that was a REALLY important lesson, especially when it comes to team management during these economic dumpster-fire times.
I never would have found out all this about myself if I hadn’t just given it a shot.
That’s why I always like to encourage people to try all different kinds of working situations before deciding one way is the best way.
Try a big company. Try a small one. Try something in entertainment. Try something in gaming. Be a freelancer. Be a staff employee. Work in product design. Work in motion design. Combine different things together. Try all of it.
Sometimes, you write off one style of work and you realize later on that it’s not so bad when you get used to it - or that your needs or priorities have changed and it’s a much better fit.
There’s no rule that you have to do exactly the same thing forever. Get weird! :)
-Cathy