The reality of being a freelancer

Before I break everything down, let’s briefly rewind, to where everything started.

I began this journey around 4 years ago, back in August 2020.

I spent the first year doing the same things over and over again.

Coding 10+ hours a day, trying to become the best at what I do.

It was very rough, as I didn’t see any results for 1.5 years.

And on top of it, I was going to university, which I thought was the biggest waste of time.

At the end of the 2nd year, I got my first front-end job at 19.

Life was really good.

The feeling of making something happen on your own, from scratch — is truly unmatched.

Then reality struck, as I had big conflicts with my family and college.

I quit college last May (which was the best decision I made), and I’m now working with multiple clients.

Now here’s the reality no one tells you about.

Some days, life feels amazing, and it feels like I’m making the right decisions.

But other days, it feels like everything is going downhill.

Client delays payment for a month, lack of sleep, too much work, and the list goes on.

As you start making more money, you start having more responsibility.

You stop doing things because they’re enjoyable.

You do things because they’re worth doing.

You do things because they’ll make your future self’s life easier.

And the truth is, nobody told me about this.

The way the “Online Entrepreneur” is portrayed on the Internet is a lie.

No one can avoid the pain this path brings.

So if you feel like you’re in the same boat, this is a lesson I’d like to share with you.

When you’re having a bad day, only focus on answering this question:

“How can I make life easier for future me?”

If I do that, then I can sleep in peace — knowing that future me will take care of it.

This is the dark truth of trying to make your dreams happen.

But these are also the moments that make a worthwhile story to tell your kids.

Hope this helps.

Achraf