Freelancing vs Employment: The Harsh Truth No One Told You!
Dear crazy person reading this article: don’t quit your job until you read everything I have to say about this endless battle for money: freelancing vs employment!
Let’s be honest: freelancing looks like paradise from the outside, but hell from inside (just in a few situations), relax I’m joking, but it sounded good to be there and could’t abtain to write it.
Work from your laptop, no boss, make your own hours, I mean what could be better? (To be born rich maybe?)
But here’s the harsh truth: freelancing isn’t freedom by default, it’s responsibility on steroids, so you better be ready for this before starting.
Because depending by your character, for some people, employment is actually the smarter move.
Let’s break it down, no filters, no BS, fast as an EV:)
🧩 What Is Freelancing (For Real)
Freelancing means selling your skills, not your time, or soul!
You pick clients, set your prices, and build your own mini-business, all good until here, right?
No paycheck at the end of the month, only what you create, damn, it started nice, now the reality kicks in: you need to hussle for clients! Don’t worry, I got you!
Pros:
- 💼 You control your time and clients
- 🌍 Work from anywhere
- 💰 Unlimited earning potential
- ⚙️ You build long-term independence
Cons:
- 🧾 No guaranteed income, check your luck before becoming a freelancer (I don’t have it)
- 🕐 No paid time off, no health insurance: workdays can have 25 hours if you have enough coffee and energy drinks.
- 🧠 You must constantly learn, sell, and deliver, like every time because your reputation depends on this!
Freelancing = high risk, high reward. You eat what you hunt.
🧱 What Is Employment (And Why It Still Works)
Idk because I’ve only been employed for like 6 months in my entire 40 year life, so by the look of the things you could guess I hated that life and took the risk in becoming a freelancer. But employment is stability, you trade time for money, you get predictability, and you will be a boring person all your life, good if you are lazy, you can even prosper in such enviroment with a job that will be taken by AI soon.
Pros:
- 💸 Fixed paycheck
- 🩺 Benefits, healthcare, vacation, nice women at HR maybe?
- 🧘 No stress about finding clients
- 🧩 Clear structure and expectations
Cons:
- 🕒 Limited control over your schedule, you a rat in the rat race..
- 🚫 Capped income (your raise depends on someone else..Damn! that sounds harsh AF)
- 🧱 Routine can kill creativity, good if you are lazy!
- 🧑💻 You’re building their dream, not yours. This one hurts, if this doesn’t motivate you to become a freelancer right now, IDK what else I can tell you!
Employment = low risk, limited growth, you’re like a good dog that traded his wolf genes for comfort, but you have peace of mind.
⚖️ Freelancing vs Employment: The Real Comparison
| Category | Freelancing | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Income Stability | Unstable, varies monthly | Fixed, predictable |
| Freedom | Total, but with chaos | Limited, but structured |
| Skill Growth | Fast and self-driven | Slower, guided by company |
| Security | None! unless you build it | Provided by employer |
| Stress Level | High but fulfilling | Lower, but repetitive |
🧭 So… Which One Wins?
Neither wins, because some people are not built for the streets, AKA freelancing platforms where you are constantly in a fight with another 50-100 freelancers for a job. But it depends on who you are, maybe you are that wolf that doesn’t care about the comfort of their corporate job? .
If you need comfort and hate uncertainty → stick to employment.
If you crave growth, freedom, and control → freelancing will test you, but also reward you like nothing else.
Truth:
Most freelancers quit because they think it’s easy money.
It’s not. It’s freedom with consequences.
💬 My Free Take:
“Employment gives you comfort.
Freelancing gives you character.
Choose what builds you — not what calms you.”
Final Advice
If you’re thinking of switching from 9-to-5 to freelance, start part-time, only quit your job after making money constantly, like at least your monthly salary.
Build skills in your free time, test clients, and see if you enjoy the chaos.
Then jump fully once you tested the waters, here is a 30 days plan that I’ve put together to help you out in the beginning of your journey.
Good luck yall!
