What I Struggle with as a Freelance Designer
& How I Stay Motivated
3 min read
I’ve been freelancing for almost two years now & loving every minute. Though there are times when imposter syndrome creeps in or I just can’t seem to get myself to do the work.
First of all, understand these feelings are normal. They will pass.
But it’s still an uncomfortable feeling that causes me to stress out.
So here are a few things I struggle with as a freelance designer & how I stay motivated through them.
When I’m feeling stuck
I like to take the day to get my mind off it & do my favorite things. I think of it as a ritual for jumpstarting my creativity or ‘getting the juices flowing’.
Put on your favorite album & dance, spend time with friends or family, or get outside for a bit.
Try not to scroll too much (even if you call it inspiration-hunting). Long-form content is good though. Find an inspiring documentary or movie to relax & enjoy.
Doing something active always helps me get out of a funk (I prefer yoga or dog walks).
Completing a simple to-do list like reading & journaling can help you feel more accomplished & ready to tackle your bigger to-do list.
Do nothing at all.
“Creative people need time to just sit around and do nothing”
When I compare myself
It’s almost overwhelming being on social media & seeing how talented everyone is.
It can be so inspiring but this is also when imposter syndrome & comparison can start to kick in.
To prevent this I like to get out of the industry & try a different art form.
Whether you reset your confidence by doing another hobby you love or you try something completely new that you suck at even more. Either way, this helps get your mind off things.
It reminds you that being creative is a practice. You’re constantly improving.
If that doesn’t help, I make sure to get off social media & do my own thing. Push through doubts because you’re in love with the journey.
Remind yourself how important it is to put your work out to the world, as is. You never know who will need it & someone always will.
Remind yourself of where you are on your journey & where you’re heading.
“Don’t compare your chapter to someone’s finished book.”
When I crave community
I love freelancing & working individually, but I think about how nice it’d be to have a group of designers to bounce ideas off of.
That’s the best part of social media though, you can easily connect with like-minded people from all over.
1. Join a creative community or start your own (more info on that coming soon!)
2. Reach out to fellow designers & collaborate on a project.
3. Try an in-person meet-up if you can!
We work alongside (& follow) so many talented creatives & a simple DM can make a big difference.
“Community over competition”
Thanks for reading!
What do you struggle with as a freelancer? Let me know in the comments!
