Long Way Down (One Last Thing)

So this series has wound its way down to its final installment, bringing our look at both sides of the freelancing coin to an end. We are very pleased with the scope of the series, having grown into a six part post from its very humble beginnings. We hope that this in depth look at the freelancer's life was both entertaining and a useful reminder as to why we do what we do. Most of us may not need the reminder, simply living the day to day life of a freelancer is reminder enough as we experience the benefits of choosing this path on a daily basis. But here is our final take on the topic at hand, as we present Freelancing Benefits Episode III : Revenge of the Myth!

The Bene’s Continue

It’s no question that working for yourself can have it’s downs, but the fact of the matter is, the ups far outweigh them. In the first two installments in the series, we talked about

• #1 - Bye Bye, Tie!
• #2 - Shotcaller!
• #3 - Workin’ 9 to, oh 9:30!
• #4 - The Learning Curve!
• #5 - The Lone Wolf Walks, Um…Alone!
• #6 - Attack of the Clones!

This time around we have three new topics to toss out there for thoughtful discussion, well discussion at least, can't promise it'll be thoughtful. They are

• A World Without Borders
• Drama, Interrupted…
• Revenge of the Myth

So we hope you will follow us as this look at why we freelance finishes up…

A World Without Borders

Jessie F. commented on Part Deux of the benefits series and gave us the idea for this first topic we wanted to discuss, and that is the freedom that freelancing provides us, especially in the digital age we are working in, to work in a world without borders. We have the ability to commute via the web to a virtual office environ with nearly anyone from across the globe. In fact, in most cases, the only limits we face are bandwidth limits, and those usually don't even come into play here.

The world we live in has constantly been made smaller by technology, bringing everyone closer together in a sense, and as freelancers we ride this technological wave to the forefront of a worldwide business market looking for our talents and skillsets. From the comfort of our fuzzy slippers and favorite bathrobes, we can meet with clients and consult with colleagues in a virtual global landscape that never requires we venture beyond our front doors. Granting us opportunities that we may not have been able to pursue, were we tied down to a company. Given corporate restrictions that could be in place, for financial or whatever reasons, you may have had to pass on some of the work you could potentially get as a freelancer.

Not to mention, this virtual work environment means that you will be judged on your work and your skills, not on your fuzzy slippers and favorite bathrobe. It's not your fault that the business heads you are dealing with from overseas do not understand your creative comfort requirements that are met by said slippers and robe, but now they never need to. No need for your required uniform to get lost in the translation of this borderless world, you can take it with you wherever you ‘go’. It really is an amazing concept, that I think is catching on. In fact, I've heard it's such a popular theory that doctors are thinking of getting in on this whole ‘no borders thing’. Though they really are doing it the hard way. Wi-fi, docs, come on. You all are supposed to be the learned ones.

Drama, Interrupted…

So did you hear what Jasmine did to Tara after Maggie told her about what Tara said about Jasmine's boyfriend's cousin last week after work? Chances are, if you are a freelancer, you haven't! And isn't a wonderful feeling to no longer have to be burdened by and have to bare all the drama that comes from working in an office? Working in a powder keg with multiple personality types (not to mention, personality disorders), exposes you to, and can make you the unwilling participant in the melodramatic misadventures of your co-workers.

It generally does not matter if you are the most gentle and reserved person in the office, you are eventually, through some sort of relationship you have developed with someone else there, going to become enveloped in someone else's drama. Their lives or inner office antics or grudges will spill over into your office space regardless of your desire to have it laid in your lap. The freelancer can have a drama free work environment unless they so choose to invite the drama into their work space…which, why would you do that?

Even if gossip is kind of your thing, and you enjoy the teeniest tidbit of it to help you make your way through the day in the office, you should know that it usually will not end there. The gossip glide down into the dungeon of drama is an almost inevitable journey that you will voluntarily or involuntarily suffer once you take that first seemingly harmless step. Freelancers tread a bit safer ground. Ground that comes without eggshells to walk on when around certain co-workers, which if you're vegan like us here at Arbenting, you always appreciate an egg free walkway. ;) So if you prefer a little less uninvited drama in your life, and you could really care less what Tara said to Maggie about Jasmine's boyfriend's cousin and what Jasmine did to Tara as a result, then the freelancing path may be the one you want to walk.

Revenge of the Myth

The myths that surround the freelancer’s life are one of the best things about the gig, and the last benefit that we shall mention. People have such a warped perception of what all being a freelancer truly entails. They think we never work. That we sit at home and watch our stories all day while billing clients massive amounts of money for minutes worth of work. And on and on they go. But the reason the myths are so great, is because so many of them are true, and we get to rub that in the faces of the 9 to 5 working stiffs that envy us so much!

Now while not all of the myths going around about freelancers are true, enough of them are to make this enviable job such a pleasure, that the long hours we tend to put in to it are more than worth it, they are enjoyable. We do work hard, but the fact that we get to do so on our own terms and timetables makes freelancing the opportunity of a lifetime. The worries and unnecessary stresses bred from the office environ are left far behind, and the work space we inhabit is one of our own creating, to feed us energetically however we desire and design. And what could be better than living the dream, the myth made real, every single day… or not, it really is your choice if you are a freelancer?

It was in that spirit that this series was born, and we felt that the final discussion in it should be a celebration of that spirit itself. The freedom and overall satisfaction found within this job are at times, indescribable (though we hope that we made a fairly decent attempt to do just that through these posts), and so many people miss out on what an awesome career path this freelancing gig can prove to be. Many people doubt that it is even a legitimate career choice at all, so it is with great pride that we get to prove them wrong. If revenge is a dish best served cold, then this dish surely is one best to be shoved in the faces of the naysayers like an I told you so pie!

That's a wrap

And that's all we have to say about that…but that doesn't mean that you can't say more about it in the comments. Feel free to tell us what we missed, or where we missed out below, and as always, thanks stopping by.

The Complete Series

• What Does True Freelancing Cost? Pt. 1
• What Does True Freelancing Cost? Pt. 2
• Freelancing Costs Pt. 3 – Return of the Red-Eye!
• The True Benefits of Freelancing Pt.1
• The True Benefits of Freelancing Pt. Deux!

More From Arbenting:

• The True Benefits of Freelancing Pt.1
• The True Benefits of Freelancing Pt. Deux!
• What Does True Freelancing Cost? Pt. 2
• What Does True Freelancing Cost? Pt. 1
• Freelancing Costs Pt. 3 — Return of the Red-Eye!