One Year Freelance: What I’ve Learnt So Far

A year ago today, I officially went freelance, just two months after graduating with a First-Class Honours degree.

This past year has been a complete rollercoaster of highs and lows, but thankfully, mostly highs. I still can’t quite believe I’ve made it to my first anniversary.

At university, many people around me were already preparing to freelance: creating business cards, building their personal brands and promoting their services. I never imagined that would be my path. After three years of working hard and gaining as much experience as I could, I expected to step into a role in social media, marketing, photography or as a creative assistant.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

After months of applications, interviews and very little feedback, I began seeing how many other graduates were having the same experience. It made me realise that if I wanted opportunities and experience, I might have to create them for myself.

So, I decided to go freelance.

It was never just about making money. I wanted to keep learning, gain real-world experience and work on exciting projects. I was incredibly lucky to already know so many talented creatives through university, and many of them became my first clients. From there, I began marketing myself in local groups and through word of mouth, and slowly started building my client base.

Freelancing naturally comes with busy periods and quieter ones, so I was grateful to also work at Theatre Royal Plymouth as a hospitality assistant. Everyone there has been so supportive, welcoming and lovely to work with.

Over the year, I have learnt how to run a business, taken on projects that challenged me and completed a three-month internship with upcoming Italian brand Monte Sharp. Afterwards, I became a Creative Associate through the Workroom Create programme at my university. This has allowed me to use studio space and equipment, helping me offer even more to my clients.

Somewhere between editing projects and letting my thoughts run away with me, I founded the South West Creatives Project in March.

After graduating, I remember feeling quite lost. I even wrote a blog about graduate depression. I think many of us leave university believing a degree will naturally lead to connections and work in our chosen industry. While university can give you valuable skills, finding your way afterwards can still feel difficult, especially when opportunities, contacts and affordable ways to relocate are limited.

That feeling is what inspired the South West Creatives Project. I wanted to create a space where creatives in the South West could gain experience, collaborate, take ownership of their roles, try new things, learn skills and meet like-minded people, without feeling they have to leave the region to build a creative career.

So far, the response has been incredible. The project is self-funded, and I’m so grateful to everyone who believed in it from the start, as well as those waiting to get involved in the future. I now have two amazing assistants helping me run SWCP, and I’m excited to see how it grows and how many more creatives it can support.

I also spent three months gaining experience with Cornwall-based social media brand Ivory Studios, where I designed graphics and took photographs for clients. It was a brilliant opportunity, but I also learnt an important lesson: I had taken on too much.

Just before summer, I experienced my first burnout. I was working four jobs, had run out of energy and lost my motivation. I knew I needed to step back, so I made the difficult decision to leave Ivory Studios. I’m still grateful for the opportunity and wish them every success, but it taught me that taking care of yourself has to come first.

I now work three jobs, which still sounds like a lot, but feels far more manageable, and I have more time for myself, too.

After a year away from education, I’m also about to start a Master’s in Digital Marketing and Social Media. I’m so excited to learn new skills and hopefully open more doors for my future.

My dream is still to work for a company, brand or magazine, while continuing to grow my two businesses alongside it. But who knows what the future will bring?

Looking back, this first year of freelancing has taught me so much. I’ve learnt, grown, made mistakes, taken risks and found ways to help others along the way.

Thank you to every friend, client and family member who has been part of this journey. None of this would have been possible without your trust, support and belief in me and my work.

And finally, I want to give myself some credit. Taking the leap into freelancing was scary, but when I needed experience, I found a way to make it for myself.

So, what’s next?

Honestly, I have no idea, and although that is still a little scary, I’m learning to enjoy the unexpected.