The Steep Climb of a Freelance Writing Life

I’ve adopted a new old hobby. What I had once did begrudgingly, I now do with a little more skip in my step and a little more patience and faith.

Hiking is the new man in my life. And it has just booted out biking temporarily.

Although I’ve been hiking since I was a kid sometimes for 6 hour stretches at a time, I never really adored it like I did the feeling of the wind whipping my hair on a bike ride or the fun of dancing like no one was watching in zumba.

But recently, hiking has grown on me.

The heat. The vigorous, seemingly never-ending climb. The fear that there may be a mountain lion lurking. The confusion that often hits my husband and I when we think we can’t find our way back.

These are the things that I hated in my 20’s. These are the things that I have learned to accept in my30’s.

Why?

Because the path of a hiker is kind of like the path of life. It’s scary, unpredictable, and yet there is a surprising sense of peace once you get there, as though everything is going to be all right.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the entire journey is also a freelance writer’s life. That if we could learn how to calm our inner fears and anxieties while walking on a hiking trail, there may be a way to begin a more peaceful path on the road to success as writers.

Tools You Need to Get Through the Climb

1. The right tools. 

When you’re hiking, you need water, a snack (if you’re going for awhile), a jacket (just in case), good shoes and maybe even a walking stick. Knowing what you need ahead of time is important as is in freelance writing. Before you leave that job to take on the freelance world make sure you prepare yourself with enough finances to keep you afloat, networks to support you in case you fall and basic necessities like a laptop and a place to set up shop.

2. Stamina

In order to finish a hike, you need stamina. Same with writing. If you are a quitter, you won’t make it. When you start to get tired, when the trail seems insurmountable, you will give up. But success in writing is like hiking, you need to persevere. Even though that steep climb up ahead seems daunting, the only way you’re going to get to the end of the trail is to keep going.

3. Faith

Which brings me to faith. You don’t need to be religious to be successful. But you need to take a good hard look at how far you’ve come and see that you’ve already climbed many mountains before. To keep on the journey, you need faith to realize that you can keep going.

Quick Tip: If you’re not naturally optimistic, create your own set of tools to pick you up when you’re feeling doubtful about your journey. Keep a book with positive, uplifting quotes by your bed. Call a supportive friend. Listen to inspiring music. Do whatever you can so that you have enough faith to keep going.

When business is slow, when your energy is low, those are the moments when you need to believe in yourself and your skills.

Have a hobby that mimics writing for you? Got tools to help you persevere on your freelance writing journey? Share your thoughts and advice here.

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6 Comments

  • Mahesh Raj Mohan

    I like the hike-freelance metaphor … very true. I think faith is the most important and hardest of the three for both. Even when the gigs are flowing, the omnipresent media (especially since 2008) can be a real downer. The list of things to do to keep your energy up definitely helps me … and I recently cut down my news consumption, which also made a big difference. Keep on rockin’!

  • Brandi

    Thanks for the tips Mahesh! I stopped watching the news too. Embarrassingly, but honestly, I get most of my news either from the newspaper or from other sources like, “The View.” I feel like the regular news stations just feed into anxiety and negativity and are a big drain on my energy. Are there any other ways you keep the faith? I think that’s one part of the job as a freelancer that I actually like because it stretches you to keep growing. Nowadays a lot of full-time 9-5ers, which used to be stable are not anymore. So I guess a little bit of faith in any job is important.

  • Natalia Sylvester

    Great tips, Brandi! I’ve never really hiked before but I would love to visit a place that’s conducive to it. I agree with you and Mahesh that faith is the most important part of it, and (I guess along the same lines) the ability not to panic. When I first started freelancing, I’d panic anytime things slowed down. Now I try to take advantage of slow periods by marketing and also using that time for things I don’t often get to do.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Natalia! Freelancing is such a whirlwind isn’t it. Is it crazy that it also reminds me of blood sugar. After you eat, your blood sugar rises (that’s when you’re super busy freelancing) and then after awhile it falls and you hit a slump. Just as it’s important to keep your diet balanced so you don’t ever get too hungry or too full, I think it’s important to keep a momentum with your work. What you said are great tips, marketing and using the time to rest and get balanced before the next wave hits are optimum. Thanks for your comment!

  • Mahesh Raj Mohan

    I also get news through the paper! *high-five* I keep the faith by focusing on my strengths and what I’m good at, even if it’s just something simple as how I look for clients or gigs. It may not be how other folks go about it, but it works for me.