How Freelancing IT Changed My Life

Hello everyone, in this blog post, I'll be talking to you about how freelancing changed my life and why I will never be employed again.

I'll go over the eight reasons why I'll never be employed ever again:

1. Too comfortable or being cozy - the golden handcuffs
2. This all could just be a bubble, and when it pops, what am I going to do?
3. Ageism and the future of employment
4. Pensions, taxes, and healthcare
5. The corporate ladder
6. Freedom
7. Mortgages and debt
8. Failure - failure is normal
9. Being mentally tough and always feeling uncomfortable

I do realize that this is not for everyone. I don't think everyone should be a freelance anything. I'm just saying these are the reasons for me to not want to be employed ever again. This is not anti-work; this is not quiet quitting; this is nothing like that. This is just my experience and what I want to achieve.

Before I get into this blog, check out my Discord. I'm also making a freelance Discord soon just for freelance engineers living in Japan who want to do the same thing I'm doing, either full-time freelance or part-time freelance while you're working your full-time job, maybe after work, maybe on the weekends, but a way to earn an extra n-san y a month.

Today's choice of drink is a Santu highball. This is great for the summertime; it's August, and this weather is absolutely nasty. So cheers to that!

The Golden Handcuffs

They call it the golden handcuffs. I can't say that I've worked for FAANG or any great company of that level, but I can say that I did have myself a cozy job. This was my first tech job in Japan, and the company was great. I really can't complain; they gave me a chance, and I dove right into the deep end into D3. I learned about how to make front-end software, and this was a great opportunity for me.

I worked in this company for about three years, starting in December 2016. If I had just stayed in that company, I think I'd be making a decent amount now, having risen through the ranks. This is what a lot of people do, and that's fine; there's no problem with that. But I got the itch to try something new.

This type of employment in any of these companies is great if you enter a company right out of university or at your first tech job and stay there for 10 years or so. You can have a pretty decent lifestyle. I don't think it's a bad thing; I think it's great. Just in my case, I didn't want to feel so comfortable and cozy. My income jumped pretty quickly through this company, but for some reason, the feeling of being comfortable and cozy didn't sit well with me.

When I went freelance, it was tough, but I didn't feel comfortable at all. It sounds strange, and very few people may understand this, but when you're feeling comfortable and cozy, something doesn't feel right to me. So, when I'm freelancing, trying to do my own thing, failing here and there, saving up for my next idea, there's a lot of discomfort, and that discomfort is something I feel helps me grow, not just as a programmer or engineer but as a person.

The Bubble

I wasn't around for the 2000 or 2001 tech bubble. I was alive, of course, but I had no idea about it. There was probably another tech bubble some other time, but I wasn't aware of it. Being in an industry where the bubble can pop anytime is unsettling. In the last few years, big tech hired a whole bunch of people and then fired a whole bunch. You're in some type of false sense of security in this bubble. Once it pops, you can be left stranded.

When I went through the freelance route, I started seeing things from a bird's-eye view. Freelancing doesn't last forever, and things can go up and down. I started in 2015, learning to code and programming. My first job was in an IoT company, and it was all hype. People were saying things like "data is the new oil." There's a lot of hype around boot camps selling shovels, and freelancing gives you a perspective from the outside, allowing you to maneuver around these trends.

Ageism and the Future of Employment

I'm currently 37 years old, and I've told myself by 40 I won't be programming or coding anymore. If programming and coding is your absolute passion, then go for it. But many people don't want to be doing this past 50 or even past 40, at least not in a corporate setting. The tech industry often prefers younger workers, and it's difficult for older workers to find jobs.

Freelancing allows you to connect with different types of people and companies, providing opportunities that might not be available when you're employed. As you age, it becomes harder to find employment in the tech industry, and freelancing helps prepare for these changes.

Pensions, Taxes, and Healthcare

As a freelancer, I pay my own taxes, healthcare, and pension. In Japan, the average age of the population is increasing, and I'm not betting on the pension and healthcare system to support me in the future. The cost of living is rising, and being secure in a company is not the right path for me.

The Corporate Ladder

You might be in the corporate ladder right now, but freelancing minimizes the effects of it. There's no water cooler talk, team-building exercises, or drama. You just focus on delivering for the client. Freelancing allows you to avoid the corporate ladder and the associated politics.

Freedom

One of the biggest advantages of freelancing is freedom. You can work remotely, take months off, and focus on what you want to do. Whether it's traveling, learning a new skill, or spending time on personal projects, freelancing gives you the flexibility to design your own schedule.

Mortgages and Debt

Getting a mortgage can be challenging as a freelancer, but it's not impossible. You might have to become an employee temporarily to secure a mortgage. However, the financial freedom and control over your work life that freelancing offers are worth the challenges.

Failure and Resilience

Freelancing teaches you to embrace failure and build resilience. The constant hustle and need to adapt to new challenges keep you on your toes and help you grow both professionally and personally.

Mental Toughness and Embracing Discomfort

Freelancing requires mental toughness and a willingness to embrace discomfort. This constant state of challenge and growth is what drives me and keeps me motivated.

Freelancing has transformed my life in ways I never imagined. While it’s not without its challenges, the freedom, growth, and opportunities it offers are invaluable. If you’re looking for a way to break free from the constraints of traditional employment, freelancing might just be the answer.

Cheers to the freelance life and all the adventures it brings!