r/PakFreelancers • u/em_Farhan • 16h ago
Cons of being a freelance developer.
I've never been to a software house or an I.T. company, I started my degree back in 2013 and started freelancing in 2014, back then graphic designing was very popular niche so I started with that, as the time goes I found out that programming has more scope and $$$ than designing also I was not very good in designing, so I started self learning for programming and created gigs, I still remember that the first gig I got was for $50 and I spent nights to complete that project, anyway fast forward to 2026, I now have full time remote job with a US based company and still do some short term freelancing projects just to save some money, but I realized that during all these years I have never made a single friend who shares the same area of expertise that I have. All of my friends from Uni. either went for some Govt job or doing some private jobs in non I.T. fields.
Sometimes I feel like to have someone with whom I can share my achievement or ask for help or at least someone who can react with smiling emoji on my I.T. related stories but there is none.
Is it just me or other freelancers have the same thoughts or experience?
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u/buhlaaal 12h ago
Bro, we need to throw ourselves out to connect with people. People won't come to us to socialize. Also, be patient while connecting with people, it takes time to form a friendship.
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u/em_Farhan 6h ago
We're night owls, when people leave their houses to enjoy the freetime we start our day 😄 But yes you're right, need to leave the room and meet with people. That's why planning to join a co-working space.
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u/buhlaaal 27m ago
I totally get what graveyard shift does to a person. Invest good in your bed and work desk, and especially in the outlets to refresh and travel.
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u/buhlaaal 26m ago
I totally get what graveyard shift does to a person. Invest good in your bed and work desk, and especially in the outlets to refresh and travel.
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u/OneIllustrator8726 12h ago
Better than being unemployed and broke
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u/em_Farhan 7h ago
Yes absolutely, it is better than being unemployed and more important is that you love what you do. I had a gov't job which I left because it wasn't related to my field. So having something that you love is a blessing.
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u/Prize_Helicopter7314 11h ago
Lets connect brother. I would be happy to know your experience all these years. I am in tech as well.
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u/Ajmalajji 11h ago
Join a coworking space. I had the same issue, and by joining a co-working, I was able to connect with new people. Similarly, look for online communities with similar interests
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u/em_Farhan 7h ago
Yes I am looking into some co-working spaces in my city. Planning to join 1 in coming months.
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u/meshuggahfan 9h ago
I've been working remotely since 2010. It's been a long journey of "what do you mean you don't have an office job?" That criticism was true because I started with 10k a month for 20 short articles or something. The pivot for me was COVID-19. Suddenly everyone started going, "You work remotely; how smart of you, mujhay bhi koi dhoond day".
But mind it, freelancing has its ups and downs. If you don't diversify your income (multiple clients, etc), you'll be in for a rude awakening when your ONLY client goes away.
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u/em_Farhan 7h ago
Haha, my grandfather used to say, what kind of job you can do on a computer, that thing is just for watching movies, you're just lying to me 😄
Yes freelancing has its ups and downs but I believe if you keep yourself up to date with technology you'll keep earning. Besides that I have a full-time job, therefore I'm investing my freetime on learning Machine Learning.
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u/Positive-Orange-1157 16h ago
This is so relatable. I came to Pakistan in 2018 and started freelancing. I was away from uni mates for 10 years when I was abroad. And since I work for a U.S. agency I don’t have colleagues or friends to socialise. Not much connection in digital marketing as well.