My Struggles As a New Freelancer and How They Help Me Succeed

One of my new year's resolutions is to receive a full-time income for freelance writing. I am absolutely set on making this happen. Though I have to tell you, I didn't expect nearly as much difficulty achieving this goal as I'm currently experiencing.

After tirelessly applying for freelance positions on job boards and zealously reaching out to writing connoisseurs on LinkedIn, I've hit a brick wall. I've had some writing gigs in the past, but it felt a whole lot different when I didn't need the money. Of course, that's to be expected.

I used to enjoy opening blank Word documents. If ever I had a poem, a thought, or a lyric pop in my head, I'd freeze each word on virtual paper to be captured on my hard drive until the next time it was read (or until the computer died, whichever came first). Now, I go to my computer and feel as if my world is falling around me. I get heavy anxiety that feels as if I'm being suffocated from the pressure of expectation I put on myself. I know I have to write something or else I'll have nothing to prove to clients.

My biggest struggle as a new freelancer is realizing how much there is to learn. I have so many techniques to hone and practices to discover - what if I don't truly offer value? Being compared against experts in this field can be rather daunting.

As much as I admire their passion and knowledge, it's those very qualities I also fear because of my own inferiority. It's very easy to envy their experience only before learning a most valuable lesson. Seeing how I pale in comparison to a sea of geniuses has made me act in spite of my greatest fear: not succeeding.

"How do I get there?" is a question I stopped asking myself yesterday. Instead of asking how, I've begun to make it happen. I have to start somewhere and so my journey begins here - imperfect, but willing. As soon as I decided to persevere, my perception of opportunities transformed from something far beyond my reach to a reality within my grasp.

I hope I'm not the only who's experienced this phenomenon.

To continue pushing forward when you don't think you can is when you need to do it most. Although it's natural for freelancers to be isolated, go out there and network. Use LinkedIn, scavenger Google for specific mentors, and join Facebook groups.

If it weren't for the amazing support of fellow freelancers, I'd be covering my face with a hoodie and cradling myself in fetal position instead of typing this blog post (in my pajamas).

So tell me, what struggles are you facing that will help you be successful?

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