Freelancing is my dream. Being able to be creative every day, manage my own time, workload and priorities, and only answering to myself. Spending all of my time concentrating on bringing this blog on (I’ve made so much progress it’s amazing) and focusing on developing my photography portfolio and skills has been amazing, and I have no intention of stopping. However, things are about to change around here, and that’s because I’m making a big change. I talk about my life all the time on here and so I wanted to explain to you why I’m looking for a job.
Before I went freelance, in July, I was working full time and blogging on the side. I was making a few hundred pounds a month from Inside Laura’s Head which was amazing, and I really thought I could go it alone. And, being honest, I can-earnings are up most months, I have so many irons in the fire and I’ve done so much work on the back end that now I’m ready to get pitching again. But, just before I went freelance, I was looking at buying a house.
My mortgage advisor has told me that to buy a house as a freelancer, I’ll need three years books showing my earnings as being high enough to get a mortgage. I estimate that this will take me a couple of years to get to that level consistently, so around five to be able to get my mortgage. I’ll be thirty six, then, and really can’t stay with my parents that long. Getting a full time job now will allow me to get my house soon, certainly before Christmas, as well as put some money into savings for the future, and to book more travel. My new plan, because I’m not willing to give up my dream of being a creative, is to keep working on Inside Laura’s Head, Laura Haley Photography and Laura Haley Social, build them up to the point they’re bringing in the same as my monthly wage, and pay off chunks of my mortgage. I will get there and this is in no way the end of my dream, it’s just that the dream has changed a bit.
So, yeah. This is why I’m looking for a job. Would you do the same?
Edited to say that since scheduling this post a couple of weeks ago I’ve been going through the interview process for a job I really wanted, and two hours after this post went live I got the call to say I’d got it. I’ll still be freelancing alongside, and I’m confident I can make this work. I’m very pleased and I’m already planning my travel for the year-which will surprise no one.
Congratulations on the new job, Laura! Sometimes we need to make sacrifices for the things we want in life but hopefully you will love it!
I’m glad I purchased before I went freelance. Though truth be told I’m now thinking of selling up and moving elsewhere but facing the same dilemma now as a freelancers.
Ahhhh, congratulations!!! I completely agree with what you are doing. I would totally do the same. 🙂
Buying a house is so hard! I hate how tough they make it for people who are self employed I totally understand your decision.
That’s amazing! Congratulations on the new job! So glad your plan is coming together.
Congratulations on the job and happy house hunting!
Congratulations on getting the job, hopefully it all balances out for you. 3 years of book keeping is a lot of work!
Tough decision but sounds like the right one.weve just went through a similar situation when trying to re-mortgage – realising my few months of freelance work counted for nothing was tough so I can totally see why you’ve made this decision. You sound super focused so I’m sure you’ll make it work brilliantly for you. Good luck! Cx
Congratulations on the new job! I think you are making a sensible move. Would love to be able to buy a property one day but doubt it will ever happen (London is just too expensive!)