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Why Freelancing Is Not for Everyone (Hard)— Real Challenges and Success Tips

By Jadox
6 min read
Why Freelancing Is Not for Everyone (Hard)— Real Challenges and Success Tips

Why Freelancing Is Not for Everyone — And How to Succeed If You Choose It

The Dream and the Reality

We all see the posts online.

“I made $5,000 in one month from freelancing!”
“Quit my 9–5 and now I work from the beach!”

Sounds like a dream, right?

When I first started freelancing, I was full of energy. No more waking up early, no boss shouting at me, no one checking my clock-in time. I was free.

But within two months, that “freedom” became confusion, stress, and silence from clients.

I realized something:

Freelancing is not for everyone. It’s a tough game. But if you play it right, you can win big.

Let me walk you through the harsh truths — and how to succeed anyway.

1. The Illusion of Easy Money

Let’s clear something first:

Freelancing is NOT:

Those TikTok and YouTube shorts showing “easy money” are highlight reels, not the full movie.

🔥 What people don’t show you:

The truth?

Freelancing is a business, not a shortcut.

2. Why Freelancing Is Not for Everyone

🚩 No Structure, No Boss

Some people need structure to function.

In a regular job, you’re told:

But in freelancing:

If you lack discipline, it’s easy to fail. You’ll procrastinate. You’ll waste time. You’ll chase shiny objects (like starting 5 gigs without mastering one).

🚩 You Must Sell Yourself Constantly

Many people hate selling. But as a freelancer:

And it’s not just one pitch — it’s dozens of proposals, cover letters, cold emails, and rejection after rejection.

🚩 No Stable Income (At First)

In the early days, income looks like:

Month 1: $0  
Month 2: $5  
Month 3: $50  
Month 4: $0  
Month 5: $100

You need a strong stomach for this. If you panic every time you’re broke, freelancing will break you.

3. Why Most Beginners Fail at Freelancing

Let’s be honest — most people who try freelancing quit.

❌ Reason #1: They Chase Money Without Skills

They hear “graphic design is hot,” so they jump on Canva and create logos without real design principles.

Or they copy-paste Fiverr gigs hoping someone picks them.

Freelancing is skill-based. If you don’t offer real value, you’ll struggle.

❌ Reason #2: Poor Communication

You might be good at design, writing, coding — but if you:

❌ Reason #3: Giving Up Too Early

Many people give up after not getting jobs in the first 2 weeks.
But freelancing is like planting a tree. It takes months of watering before it grows.

4. Who Succeeds in Freelancing?

Now, let’s flip the story.

Many people DO succeed. I’ve worked with freelancers who:

✅ They Have These 5 Traits (Behaviours):

  1. Consistency: They show up every day even when no one claps.

  2. Adaptability: They learn new tools, follow trends, and upgrade constantly.

  3. Communication: They keep clients updated, ask questions, and deliver clearly.

  4. Resilience: Rejections don’t break them — they bounce back smarter.

  5. Long-Term Mindset: They treat freelancing like a business, not a lottery.

5. How to Succeed in Freelancing (Even as a Beginner)

Here’s your action plan — no fluff, just real steps.

🎯 Step 1: Master ONE Profitable Skill

Don’t try to do everything. Pick one skill that:

Examples:

💡 I started with content writing using just Google Docs and Grammarly.

🎯 Step 2: Build a Strong Portfolio

Clients won’t trust you just because you say “I’m good.”

You need to show it.

Even if you don’t have clients yet, create sample work:

Put all this in:

🎯 Step 3: Choose 1 or 2 Platforms to Start

Don’t spread yourself thin. Pick one place and master it.

Popular platforms:

📌 If you’re from Africa, also explore platforms like Workana, RemoteOK, and local freelance groups.

🎯 Step 4: Learn How to Pitch Like a Pro

Your proposal is your first impression.

Bad:

"Hi sir, I will do your work cheap. Please hire me."

Better:

“Hi [Client’s Name], I’ve helped others in your industry write blog posts that get traffic and leads. I’ve attached 2 examples — happy to deliver yours within 3 days.”

Customize every proposal. Keep it short, polite, and specific.

🎯 Step 5: Deliver With Excellence

Once you get a client:

💡 My first real client paid $20. But I treated that $20 like $2,000. That client later brought me 5 referrals.

🎯 Step 6: Ask for Reviews and Repeat

After each job:

How I Turned Freelancing from Stress to Stability

I struggled at first. I worked for hours and earned less than $50 in the first month. But I kept going.

I studied what worked. I improved my writing. I became reliable.

One client became two. Two became five.
Eventually, I earned enough to pay my bills and invest in better tools.

Today, freelancing funds my education, helps my family, and gives me freedom I never thought possible.

Final Thoughts: Should You Still Try Freelancing?

If you’re willing to:

Then YES — freelancing can change your life.

But if you’re hoping for quick, easy money with zero effort…

Freelancing will frustrate you.

It’s not for everyone — but it might be exactly right for you.

 

You can also read: Top 10 Highest Paying Freelance Jobs for Beginners

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