Freelancing, the art of juggling countless tasks while pondering, “Will I ever see a dime for this?” After a life spent in this thrilling circus, I could fill a novel with tales of glittering successes and some absolute train wrecks of clients. From the ‘wants-it-yesterday but pays-in-three-months’ type to the ‘please-refer-to-my-uncle-who-doesn’t-even-know-what-this-is’ species, I’ve seen them all.
Once, back in the golden days of higher education, I collaborated with a lad on a video project. The payment? Let’s just say it felt more like a charitable donation than a freelance gig. When I had the audacity to inquire about my payment, he delivered a stunning line: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” I was tempted to invite him for a nice lunch at my expense—after all, he wasn’t feeding me anything but promises.
Now, as evidenced by the intricate tapestry of my life, just because someone dangles a job in front of you, doesn’t mean it won’t cost you time, sanity, and possibly your next vacation. Enter my lovely wife, who dabbles in the exhilarating world of side hustles—mainly photography and social media for a local singer. Her royalty? A whopping $50 per show. But it’s always been within a charming 20-mile radius and blissfully on weekends. So quaint! Almost like a hobby.
But lo and behold, her next gig is a midweek spectacle at a venue—drumroll please—400 miles away! Yes, you heard that right. A romantic road trip, only with more gas and fewer scenic views.
Picture this: she drives to the gig, splits gas costs with a band member, and misses two days of her part-time job—while still being compensated at a glorious rate of $50. It’s basically like going to Vegas but without the glittery lights and the hope of winning anything. Think about it: we’d essentially be losing income while financing her “passion project.” How poetic!
But just when I thought I had won the “practicality” debate, she retorts that we never calculate gas or income loss during our family excursions. Oh, sweet irony! We’re off to live our best lives, not working to pay for someone else’s dreams. But who could blame her for wanting to keep what she enjoys? Fear of losing this gig is palpable.
Here comes the best part: “Hobby” started to flutter around in the commentary like last year’s Christmas ornaments. You see, hobbies are delightful little things that cost money but never quite pay you back—but oh, the memories they create! And now we’re weaving “hobby” into the tale like a fine tapestry, while my wife juggles a life that sounds suspiciously like a sitcom plot.
Ultimately, the math reveals a painful truth: profit and loss are two sides of the same coin, yet, if the joy outweighs the monetary downside, it’s a cruising victory in the world of side hustles. But if she thinks this gig is crucial for her career, it might be time for a reality check. Spoiler alert: this is a self-sustaining road filled with potholes.
In the end, if you cherish something, loving it while barely scraping together lunch money isn’t a drawback. However, if you’re clinging onto the idea of this gig like a lifebuoy, it’s time for a change. Because as delightful as it is to chase dreams, they shouldn’t come packaged in a bill.
