The creative industry isn’t all colorful mood boards and client high-fives. It can be exhausting. Nearly three-quarters of professionals in the media, marketing and creative sectors experienced burnout in the past 12 months, according to a recent survey.
If you’re in such a situation, it’s natural to wonder, "should I quit my creative job and become a full-time freelancer?"
I get it. The freedom to be your own boss, choose your clients and work on your own terms is incredibly tempting. But while the idea of freelancing is great, it isn’t just about flexible hours and coffee shop workdays. For example, you might still need to head into an office for certain projects.
Whatever the case, you need to plan, have discipline and use the right tools (ahem—Wix Studio) to make it work.
To help you decide if freelancing is the right move, I’ll cover key questions to ask yourself before taking the leap. I know because I've done it myself.
How many designers are choosing the freelance life?
The freelance route is fairly popular among designers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10% of web and digital interface designers, 18% of graphic designers and 59% of art directors were self-employed in 2023. Clearly, freelancing is giving a lot of creatives the flexibility and freedom they’re looking for. (By the way, these are the best freelance jobs, according to the latest job reports.)
But does that automatically mean you’ll get a great work-life balance? Not always.
Freelancing can be an incredible path, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Before diving in, think about whether the freelance life really fits with how you want to work and live.
‘Should I quit my job and go freelance?’ Ask yourself these questions first
01. ‘Am I going freelance because I want to, or because I hate my current job?’
A full-time freelance career comes with its own set of challenges. If you’re jumping in just to get away from office politics, you might find yourself trading one headache for another.
What’s the reason you want to become a freelancer? Does freelance life appeal to you on its own? Do you love the idea of being your own boss, picking your clients and having more creative freedom? If the answer is “yes,” that’s a great sign.
However, if you’re trying to avoid sending another passive-aggressive email or dealing with another awkward meeting, it might be worth exploring other career options first.
In my experience, the freelance life works best when you’re running toward it, not just running away from something else. Besides, I hate to tell you, but you'll still need to send emails as a freelancer.
02. ‘Do I have a game plan for finding clients?’
Do you already have a network you can tap into? Maybe past coworkers, industry contacts or friends who know people looking for design work? If you’ve got a few people who can vouch for you, then you have a solid start.
If not, you’ll need to market yourself consistently, whether through social media, cold outreach or networking events.
If the idea of promoting your skills or putting yourself out there makes you cringe, freelancing might be tougher than you think. But if you’re up for the challenge, self-marketing can be incredibly rewarding. You get to shape your personal brand and connect with clients directly.
If you need more help on this front, read about how to get more freelance design clients.
03. ‘Can I handle the financial ups and downs of freelancing?’
Freelance income can be unpredictable, especially when starting out. You might land several big contracts one quarter, and the next, things could be quieter than you’d like.
This feast-or-famine cycle is part of the freelance ride, and it’s something many freelancers know all too well. A 2024 Cultural Freelancers study highlights that some of the biggest challenges freelancers face are worrying about money all the time, dealing with low pay, getting paid late and not knowing when the next project (and paycheck) will come in.
If you need a steady source of income to sleep at night, this might be a challenge. But if you can plan ahead and build a financial cushion for the slow months, you’ll be better equipped to handle freelance life.
04. ‘Can I handle the pressure of making big decisions alone?’
One thing I love about freelancing is that there are no rigid work hours or “Can I see you in my office?” moments. It’s freedom.
But it’s also all on you.
Every business decision rests on your shoulders, from setting your rates to choosing which projects to take. There’s no team or manager to guide you or validate your choices.
So, if you’re comfortable trusting your instincts, weighing risks and learning from mistakes, you’ll thrive. But if making hard decisions stresses you out, it’s worth considering how you’ll manage this side of freelancing.
05. ‘Do I actually want the freedom (and chaos) of flexible work?’
As mentioned, freelancing comes with the ultimate perk: flexibility. You can generally work whenever you want: early mornings, late nights, weekends or a random Tuesday afternoon.
For me, this kind of freedom is refreshing. I get to plan my day, take breaks when I need them and never need to ask permission for time off.
However, that flexibility can also bring a bit of chaos.
Sometimes, work pops up at the last minute or revisions come in just when you thought you were done. Other times, projects might drag on longer than expected, while others get delayed or canceled altogether.
And you might still work with other teams! In which case, you’ll need to align your schedule with others to keep things moving smoothly.
So, if you thrive on structure and predictability, these ups and downs might be tough to handle. But if you can stay patient, adapt to changes and keep a positive mindset through the chaos, you’ll be much better equipped to enjoy the freelance life.
06. ‘Am I okay with talking to freelance clients (even when it’s awkward)?’
As a freelancer, there’s no one to shield you from tough chats. You handle feedback and those uncomfortable “Hey, can we add just one more thing?” conversations alone.
And yeah, sometimes that can get awkward.
So, if you’re comfortable having open, honest conversations and standing your ground when necessary, that’s a good sign. But if the thought of discussing boundaries, negotiating or pushing back makes you sweat, freelancing might be more challenging than you expect.
07. ‘Can I handle more than just design work?’
When I started my freelance business, I quickly realized that being my own boss meant I had to wear all the hats. I had to promote my services, manage deadlines, handle contracts and invoices and occasionally chase down late payments.
While it's not always glamorous, it can be empowering. You have full control over your processes and shape your business exactly the way you want.
If the idea of managing multiple aspects of a business excites you, freelancing could be a great fit. However, if you prefer focusing solely on design and leaving the admin work to someone else, starting a freelancing business might not be the smoothest path.
08. ‘Am I open to learning new skills on the fly?’
Freelancing can be a wild ride, and sometimes, that ride takes you into unfamiliar territory. One day, you’re designing a website, and the next, you’re being asked if you can whip up some social media graphics or tweak a bit of code.
While that can be intimidating, it’s also a chance to grow. You don’t need to know everything, but being open to learning keeps you competitive and makes your work more interesting.
So, if you love the challenge of learning new skills and adapting to different tasks, freelancing can offer endless growth opportunities. But if you’re not keen on stepping outside your skillset, you might find freelance life a bit overwhelming. Check out these web design certifications to stay sharp.
09. ‘Do I like being part of a team?’
Of course, you'll work with clients, but you may still miss the creative buzz that comes along with being part of a team of peers you see day in and day out. Some freelancers scratch this itch with contract positions. Others, tap into a freelance community.
But it's worth considering how much team life means to you. I’m not saying you’ll become a hermit, but it’s important to know yourself. If you enjoy your own company and don't mind team turnover, you’ll probably be just fine.
How to go freelance as a designer
By now, you may know whether to open this new chapter of life or not.
If you choose to give freelancing a shot, check out our article on how to transition to full-time freelancing for practical tips to help you make the switch and become a successful freelancer.
Then, sign up for Wix Studio and kickstart your freelance career today.
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