You Know You’re a Freelancer When . . .

July 31, 2010 admin No comments

Here’s a celebration of all the ways we are uniquely freelancers… set apart from our cubicle counterparts, yet aware that we are perhaps still not so different. Or are we? Enjoy!

You Know You’re a Freelancer When…

You’re starting to grumble about your 5-step commute from the bed to your computer. The snooze button is soooo much closer…
The car stays parked in your garage for days at a time and somehow you continue to grow without sunlight.
You can vacation as often as you want now. Chained to your computer and phone, yeah, but hey: the ocean looks beautiful from here and yes honey, I’ll join you out there in a moment!
Working in the buff is actually an option! Just remember to switch your Skype chat default to “Answer with NO Video!”
Work begins stalking you around the house, skulking and whining like an unloved pup. Work is home is office is everywhere – ACK! I’m sure there’s a zen proverb around here somewhere…
You finally remove all the fart jokes and Mafia Wars from your Facebook Profile because your playground just became your chief marketing and advertising venue.
Laptop parties with your freelance buddies are your brilliant attempt at “having a life” and still getting things done.
You catch yourself bouncing ideas off of your apathetic cat and your chatterbox four-year old.
You start playing pranks on your unsuspecting canine because you miss the office shenanigans.
You finally get paid for knowing more than the person who hired you.
Strangling yourself with the laptop chord is a popular and approved reaction to client emails and phone calls.
Friends pimp you out for favors: “Oh yeah, I have a friend that can do that for you. I’m sure he’ll do it for super cheap. In fact, we’re good friends, I bet he’ll do it for free!”
You can justify anything to one client by simply referencing a vague “other client.” {Yes of course I’d love to have a 5am meeting for your East Coast team! Unfortunately, I’ve already booked that slot with my Australian client.}
Social sites your old boss banned aren’t even fun to visit now because they’re actually on your Client Acquisition To Do list.
You talk excitedly about the latest WordPress plugin or Photoshop brush you just downloaded… and the barista was only asking for your coffee order. {“It’s just so lonely working from home, you see. Nice to have someone to talk to is all…”}
You’re actually nodding and laughing right now, filled with that warm and fuzzy feeling that “yes, I still fit in somewhere.”

Much love to my fellow freelancers! We may be spread out across the global office but our common world still unites us.

I’d love to hear any other items you’d add to this list. If I get enough responses, I’ll do an updated *2.0* post with the additional items. Just ask to be “Anonymous” if you don’t want me to attribute the item to you!