Freelancing: An Apprenticeship for Life
by Susan M. Thompson
Even now, with the clients and published works I have in place, I still feel the fear gripping my heart. It tries to suck every bit of positive energy from my body and leave me with an empty shell. Only, the fear, gets so far, and gets kicked aside by the super-ego. The voice inside of me that says this is so worthwhile and yes I can do it!
Yes, I do have an additional income and it will be a while before I can rely solely on my writing for an income for our family. There have been times when I have had to work outside the home doing night fill in the supermarket and work as a computer consultant/fulltime partner in a computer store.
I have had to analyze my place in life – lifestyle, commitments and so on. Freelancing is the only viable alternative for me.
Freelancing is a never ending apprenticeship, as there are always new avenues, twists and turns in the maze of life. You can never get complacent, or you may lose, what you have been blessed to uncover in your clients.
Now in my mid thirties – I have a lot of growing to do and there are times when it seems like too much effort. Self pity kicks in for a bit, and then gets over-ridden by the “fix-it mamma”. How can this situation be improved on? What steps can be taken to improve the situation? Do I stay or do I go? I find that if I stand still long enough and don’t chase the answers, like a dog takes eternal delight in chasing their tail, the answers come to me.
Everyone’s life is different, that is as it always is and has been. No matter what you do – no matter what way you turn, your love of writing will be within you.
For five years now, my freelancing has been going strong. Steadily climbing and as a person, I am growing. Life is just like a cactus. The environment can be the most extreme, dry, arid and at times desolate. Yet, this seed is resilient – with the minimum amount of water and no careful tending by people, it grows.
No matter where you are in life with regards to your living circumstances, you are more important than money. Money will always come from somewhere – often a source where you least expect it. So hang in there!
Live long, love well and prosper.
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Susan M. Thompson is no stranger to professional freelance writing. Living in Australia, she works full-time from her home office, juggling the responsibilities of business and family. Extensively published in magazines, newspapers and other media, she knows the unique situations writers face.
Currently, she is the Writer/ Markets & Events Coordinator for North Coast Information Magazine – an Australian travel magazine. She is also a contributor to the lifestyle section of the Australian search engine WebWombat.
A jill-of-all trades, her background includes tourism, public relations, administrative, secretarial and more!
