3 Reasons To Freelance if You're Struggling With a Chronic Illness

 

Image from Kaboompics.

Back in October of 2022, I left my job with the prospect to work from home. The job I was offered paid pretty well, and I was excited to start a new chapter in my life. Then, it all came crashing down.

The job ended up falling through, and while I have been suffering from severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it seemed that life decided to kick me while I was down. My symptoms got worse and more frequent. As the financial stressors started to set in, I was rapidly getting worse physically and mentally.

“How am I going to pay my rent next month?” “I still owe on my student loans.” “Crap, I forgot about my credit card payment!” These were all common thoughts running through my head. And even when I was lucky enough to land a job, well, they stated they could not “accommodate” for my disability and I was let go.

I was stuck. So stuck, I did not even know what to do. So I took my life back into my own hands.

If no one was going to take a chance on me, then I was going to take a chance on myself.

Where to get started freelancing is a whole other article, and my mentor, Elna, has a great post about it over on her blog FreelanceFAQs so be sure to check that out! Yet, even if you aren’t sure about the ins and outs of freelancing, here are three MAJOR reasons why it has helped my chronic illness in ways that medication never could and how it can help you too.

1 — You Run Your Schedule

Now I know how this sounds, you may feel as though you may have to work crazy hours to achieve success. More than the typical 40 hours a week you spend at your job now. And is that true? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

While I am newer in this field, I have found great success in just listening to masters in what I want to do. The glorious stories of only working 15 hours a week and making 6 figures seem so out of reach, but they’re not.

Now you may have to work harder at the beginning, I know I did. But if you’re dedicated to making a career where the person in control is you, then within a few months you should start making some headway.

On the FreelanceFAQs blog, there is a great post discussing working and managing a business with a chronic illness! In there, author Jordan talks about the great benefits of working from your bed in your pajamas. How comfy, right?!

The best thing about freelancing is that I get to control my schedule, and while I am doing other things on the side, I am only putting about part-time hours into this and seeing some great results. I even worked up the courage to start this blog! I’ve connected with clients, worked on perfecting my pitches, and tried to learn as much as I can from the people that inspired me to make this leap in the first place!

Now, when my IBS is flaring up and I can’t leave my house due to the pain, I don’t have to worry about losing my job. If I need to take the morning or afternoon to rest, I can do that without having to ask someone to come in late or leave early. This has eased so much of my anxiety, and I genuinely feel better.

2 — More Time For Yourself

To sort of go off of being in control of your schedule means that you have more time to better yourself and your condition. When I was working, I never had time to go see the doctor to discuss my medications or hop on a zoom call to meet with my therapist. Heck, I was even working at a doctor's office and was rarely ever able to seek medical help!

Today, that has completely changed for me. I am more on top of my health than ever before! If I am having new or worsening symptoms, or just need a medication refill, I can do that without ever having to get an excuse written. I was even able to meet with my psychiatrist to get some medications renewed, as I wasn’t able to keep up with the appointments to get the medication before.

Kathryn on her blog has a post discussing her chronic illness and how freelancing has helped ease the financial burdens as well as take care of herself. A great quote from her I found is, “No amount of money is worth putting yourself into a crash…” and goes on to discuss how those crashes in themselves are expensive. Whether that is from hospital and doctors bills as well as missing time from work.

All my providers have told me they can see how far I have come in my health, and I have to attribute that to being my own boss! Without the stress of losing vacation time or even my job altogether, I’m living the healthier life I have always wanted. Isn’t that amazing?!

3 — The Community Supports You

I mentioned earlier about my mentor, Elna, and she has been such a blessing in helping me get my career started in freelance writing. She has created a whole program and Facebook community for her mentees. Here, I have been able to connect with and talk to other freelancers who are dealing with chronic illnesses themselves.

And we all support each other! It is so refreshing to know that other people like you understand the challenges and help to offer solutions. I haven’t had a community like that since my sorority in college.

Ipse has a great article regarding freelancing and chronic illness in the UK, and they state that it is estimated that “… at least 1 in 4 freelancers may be affected in some way from chronic or long term illness…” That is just in the UK alone! Hundreds of thousands of people were once in your shoes, so they understand!

Being surrounded by like-minded individuals is one thing, but having them support your work, help you land jobs, and listen to your struggles is a whole other ball game. It has helped me so much to find my footing in this crazy new world.

Conclusion

What do you have to lose? Even if you tried freelancing a few hours every day, while the kids are napping or at school, or on your lunch break at work, do your research and see if this is right for you. Especially if you are dealing with a chronic illness and are maybe going through some of the things that I have been through. I just want to let you know that it does get better. You are worth investing in, physically, mentally, and financially!

Want to learn more about the program I invested in? Check it out here.