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Abstract

late. I know exactly what it’s like to live on autopilot.My mind was so damn fixated on work for 12–16 hours a day that I had zero energy or personality outside of the office. I felt like a zombie, and it showed in my nonexistent social life.When I serendipitously discovered freelance writing, I had an epiphany of sorts. The more and more I read about this entrepreneurial endeavor, the clearer my future became.I realized three things:<ul><li>I have a skill that’s difficult to develop and, therefore, monetizable.</li><li>There’s an endless market for the written word.</li><li>Freelancing would empower me with flexibility and work-life balance. Something that was unimaginable at the time.</li></ul>Freelance writing wasn’t just an outlet for creativity — it was an out.<h1 id="63b8">Why do I freelance?</h1>It might sound like I’m splitting hairs, but I think we need to nitpick word choice here. (Yes, I recognize that they’re my words to begin with.)Why do I freelance? Still to <a href="https://readmedium.com/making-money-as-a-freelance-writer-gets-easier-i-promise-33c41cf6283c">make money</a> in a flexible, autonomous way in whatever environment I choose. That reason alone is enough for me to confidently believe I’ll be a freelancer, in some capacity, forever.I think t

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he more important question is: Why do I write?The underlying benefits of writing — creative expression, catharsis, articulation, human connection, etc. — were afterthoughts at first. I knew they existed, but knowledge via awareness isn’t the same thing as experience.Writing was never a passion. Now, I think it is.I take a lot of pride in being a good writer. Because I interpret that as being good at dissecting complex topics or issues and providing concise explanations or relatable perspectives.Despite the occasional bouts of self-doubt, it’s a fulfilling activity and occupation.I also don’t think writing can be perfected — even though I’m a perfectionist as a writer, which is an ongoing internal battle to overcome. In that sense, writing is a constant challenge. I firmly believe I — and any other writer — will never run out of things to say and ways to say them.Writing gives us purpose.That’s pretty powerful, isn’t it?So, now that you’ve had time to think about it — why do you freelance? Or why do you write?If you’d like to support me as a writer, consider signing up to <a href="https://carterkilmann.medium.com/membership">become a Medium member</a>. It’s only $5 a month and you get unlimited access to Medium.</article></body>

It’s Time to Ask Yourself a Powerful Question: Why Do You Freelance?

No, seriously. I want to know.

Why do you freelance?

No, seriously.

I’m not only genuinely curious about your response, but I also think it helps to take a step back and answer this question every now and then.

So, take a minute and think about why you’re a freelance writer. If you’re not a freelancer yet, why do you want to be?

While you mull it over, I’ll share my own recent ponderings.

Let’s start with why I sought to freelance in the first place, before exploring how that’s changed now that I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for almost three years.

Why I became a freelance writer

I wanted something unconventional. Maybe my initial exposure to the traditional career path was just unlucky, but it soured my idea of sitting in a corporate office every day. Don’t get me wrong — I learned a ton, and I’m grateful for the eye-opening experience. But…

My days ran together like soups on a plate. I know exactly what it’s like to live on autopilot.

My mind was so damn fixated on work for 12–16 hours a day that I had zero energy or personality outside of the office. I felt like a zombie, and it showed in my nonexistent social life.

When I serendipitously discovered freelance writing, I had an epiphany of sorts. The more and more I read about this entrepreneurial endeavor, the clearer my future became.

I realized three things:

I have a skill that’s difficult to develop and, therefore, monetizable.
There’s an endless market for the written word.
Freelancing would empower me with flexibility and work-life balance. Something that was unimaginable at the time.

Freelance writing wasn’t just an outlet for creativity — it was an out.

Why do I freelance?

It might sound like I’m splitting hairs, but I think we need to nitpick word choice here. (Yes, I recognize that they’re my words to begin with.)

Why do I freelance? Still to make money in a flexible, autonomous way in whatever environment I choose. That reason alone is enough for me to confidently believe I’ll be a freelancer, in some capacity, forever.

I think the more important question is: Why do I write?

The underlying benefits of writing — creative expression, catharsis, articulation, human connection, etc. — were afterthoughts at first. I knew they existed, but knowledge via awareness isn’t the same thing as experience.

Writing was never a passion. Now, I think it is.

I take a lot of pride in being a good writer. Because I interpret that as being good at dissecting complex topics or issues and providing concise explanations or relatable perspectives.

Despite the occasional bouts of self-doubt, it’s a fulfilling activity and occupation.

I also don’t think writing can be perfected — even though I’m a perfectionist as a writer, which is an ongoing internal battle to overcome. In that sense, writing is a constant challenge. I firmly believe I — and any other writer — will never run out of things to say and ways to say them.

Writing gives us purpose.

That’s pretty powerful, isn’t it?

So, now that you’ve had time to think about it — why do you freelance? Or why do you write?

If you’d like to support me as a writer, consider signing up to become a Medium member. It’s only $5 a month and you get unlimited access to Medium.