Being self-employed is often sold as the dream. And in many ways, it really is. But it’s not the glossy, effortless version people sometimes imagine.
I’m self-employed working in social media, and one of the biggest positives for me is time. Not more time — because I probably work more hours than I ever did before — but control over my time. I can do the school run without rushing or explaining myself. I can go to school plays, sports days and assemblies. I can attend appointments without needing permission or feeling like I’m letting anyone down. Life fits around work, rather than the other way round.
I work to my own timeframe. Some days I start early, some days I work later. Social media doesn’t stop at five o’clock, so having flexibility makes sense. Working from home also makes a huge difference. No commuting, no sitting in traffic, no wasted hours. Just my laptop, my space, and the comfort of being at home.
Being my own boss is another big plus. There’s no pressure from management, no targets handed down from someone who doesn’t really understand your role, no office politics. I make the decisions, I choose the clients I work with, and I take responsibility for how my business runs. That freedom is empowering.
But there’s another side to being self-employed that people don’t talk about as much.
You’re no longer part of a team. There’s no shared office, no casual chats, no funny stories that come from working alongside other people every day. You don’t make new friends through work in the same way. There’s no one to bounce ideas off in person, no one to notice if you’re having a bad day.
It can be lonely. Especially on dark days, when you’ve been inside all day and the only interaction you’ve had is through a screen. Working alone can feel isolating, even if you love what you do.
There’s also the reality that if you’re sick, you don’t get paid. There’s no sick leave, no safety net. You often have to carry on when you don’t feel well, because stopping means no income. You learn to persevere, even when you really shouldn’t have to.
And when you work from home, switching off isn’t always easy. Your office is always there. The laptop is only a few steps away. Work and home blur together more than you expect.
Would I change it? Probably not. The flexibility, the freedom, and being present for my family matter too much to me. But self-employment isn’t perfect, and it isn’t easy. It’s rewarding and exhausting, freeing and isolating — sometimes all in the same day.
And that, for me, is the real reality of being self-employed.
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