As a seasoned freelancer with years of building my own career, I recently turned down a well-paid full-time job that aligned perfectly with my skills and passions. When it came time to commit, it was an easy decision to remain self-employed for the unparalleled flexibility it offers.
I'm far from alone in prioritizing freedom over a traditional 9-to-5. Self-employment hit record highs at 4.6 million in the UK in February 2016, with projections showing freelancers comprising over 40% of the workforce by 2020.
Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Freelancing (That You Should)
Women are driving much of this growth: among the UK's 1.88 million self-employed, 40% are women, with their numbers rising nearly three times faster than men's from 2009 to 2014. Once viewed as a fallback, freelancing is now the top choice for many. A Contently study of freelance creators found 76% pursue it voluntarily for the independence, flexibility, and opportunities it provides—despite challenges like income variability and no benefits.
“I left a permanent job at a production company and haven't stopped working since; it was the best decision I ever made,” shares Amalia Rosen-Rawlings, a 30-year-old London-based video producer. “I'm much better suited to working with people rather than for them. I love being my own boss and choosing my projects.” Similarly, 28-year-old Joss Meek, digital press head at Wired PR in London, notes: “I'm a big believer in productivity percentages. Twenty percent of our day accounts for 80% of our output. Why stare at a laptop for eight hours when I can finish in four?”
Related: Tired of your day job? In search of freedom? The answer is the YouEconomy
These priorities—flexibility over rigid stability—increasingly top lists, fueled by the 'DIY generation' mindset. As Rosen-Rawlings puts it: “We were told we could be anything, so we're making it happen.” Technology has made bootstrapping a business easier than ever, powering millennial entrepreneurs or 'millinepreneurs.' Through my global digital network, I've collaborated with top publications and brands, laptop in hand wherever I go. Why trade that?
Meek adds: “I don't force my square peg into a round hole of fixed job structures.” For women facing traditional workplace biases—pay gaps, sexism, harassment—freelancing lets us build equitable niches. Yet it's no Instagram dream. As 32-year-old London fashion designer Kyran Low says: “Endless rate negotiations. Months chasing payments. Uncertainty about the next gig. Friends with 'normal' jobs don't get why plans fall through. You must master your field and everything else.”
Related: 5 Things Freelancers Do (You Don't) To Boost Their Careers
No paid sick days, vacations, maternity leave, or pensions (UK stats: 60% of full-time employees get pensions vs. 16% self-employed). Still, as success shifts toward balance, relationships, and well-being, this suits many. “Women gravitate to lifestyles balancing family, travel, or part-time work,” says Kristen Gill, 48, Seattle-based media platform owner. “Home businesses thrive on self-set hours.”
Meek echoes: “I work anytime, anywhere—travel, sick days, late starts.” From Spanx's Sarah Blakely to HTC co-founder Cher Wang, women are thriving independently. Why chain yourself to a desk for less control? Stability might be the real trade-off.
We're turning lemons into lemonade empires—and it tastes sweeter.
Related: Calling all women: how to become a boss
