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The twenty-first century is full of technological improvements and the uprising of social media. Nowadays everybody has a Samsung or an iPhone with all the social media apps installed. Next to that, the traditional 9-to-5 work model is undergoing a big transformation. People start to realize that they do not want to work 40+ hours every week until they are 67. They want to go out, explore the world and do something that they really love. The best news? You can do all that, just like me! More and more people are discovering freelancing and the laptop lifestyle, because it has opened up so many new opportunities for people. People like you and me, who are seeking flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to work virtually from anywhere in the world! In this blog post, I will delve into the fascinating world of freelancing and the laptop lifestyle. I am gonna tell you all about its benefits, the challenges I face, and the key to success in the laptop lifestyle!
I moved to Sweden in April 2021, and after working there for a few years I (finally) quit the shitty job I had. And what now? I live in a country where I do not speak the language fluently and where the vacancies for jobs are very low, at least in my area. Even though there were not a lot of job offers, I did apply to so many different things, but I never even got a response. So at the end of 2023 I realized that I needed to invest in myself instead of seeing all the days go by, and I became a digital freelancer. I started with the LLMP course! One of the most appealing aspects of freelancing and working online for me is the freedom that it offers. You can work from anywhere which is a perfect match for me at this moment! Next to that you do not have to sit in a boring gray office on the 45th floor, drinking coffee out of old dirty mugs every day from 9-5. Something I would really despise haha, I rather sit in my home office with a nice view! What would you think of sipping from a coconut on a tropical beach? Or hot chocolate in the snowy mountains and working at the same time? Much better than that gray office, am I right? You are no longer held captive to that dusty smelly office with an outdated schedule. Now you have the power to choose what you want and when you want it. Oh the freedom it provides!
What if you have read this just, and think yes, I would love to work whenever I want anywhere in the world! But… I do not possess any skills at all. Well no problem, neither did I. The digital landscape has so many online opportunities for freelancers and digital nomads. You can learn to be a graphic designer, create content, learn how to copywrite or start with web development.
There is a niche for almost every skill set! And trust me, yes it can be quite challenging to learn some of these skills but it is definitely not impossible, even I can do it. And remember, these skills will give you the ability to tap into a huge global market! All businesses need a logo, social media, good and strategic email marketing etcetera etcetera, the possibilities are endless. It might be overwhelming, so I would suggest starting with some small things. Learn how to create logos for example, and grow from there! Rome was not built in one day, and so is your skill set.
Even though working online gives a lot of freedom and happiness, it does come with a lot of challenges. In the beginning when you have not landed that many clients yet your income may or will be very inconsistent, one month you might have four clients, the next month only one. It will get better in the future, so give it some time. Next to that you need to have a whole lot of self-discipline, something I lack a little too much sometimes. But hear me out, take five minutes every morning and write down some daily goals. During the day you can scratch out the goals you have accomplished. The feeling of completing your goals is the best there is. And no worries if you don't complete all of your daily goals, we all start somewhere and nothing is going to be perfect the first time.
Look, the freelancing world is very competitive and you will have a lot of others that try to achieve the same as you. So you do need a good and strong social presence. In my opinion this is the greatest opportunity to practice your digital skills! Create an instagram account for your business and start posting there. Learn how to create reels, use all the trending sounds, deep into the world of hashtags, create a SEO friendly bio etcetera. I, for example, have never ever made a reel before I started one of my instagram pages. I thought it would be so much harder, but it is actually quite easy and really fun! Next to your socials I would advise you to make an account on a website such as UpWork, this is a big freelancing platform. Where you can connect to potential clients or they can reach out to you! The moment my account got verified I already started getting emails from potential clients. And last but not least, make a portfolio. This you can easily do at websites such as Canva, show the potential clients which services you offer and what you have created so far.
Balancing your work and your life is something everybody is aiming for. Because of the laptop lifestyle, you can be really flexible and will be able to create your own private schedule. One day you can start working at 9 in the morning, the other day you start at 14 in the afternoon. Next to that; you can choose your own location! But… It is very crucial for yourself to set limits. You need to manage your time well, take regular breaks, and set goals you are able to achieve. Nobody got better from working 24/7 and burning out eventually! All of these things play a huge part in making your freelance career a great success.
The digital world and social media is changing everyday! So, for you and me, staying on top of the latest news and all the trends is essential. One of my coaches told me in one of the lessons that I need to become the biggest nerd in my niche. So of course I try to achieve that goal. I listen to podcasts in my industry, I look up all the trends, brainstorm with other people etcetera! Working online is a continuous learning process, you and I will learn every day! But it is a process that will make sure that you are the best in what you do.
The laptop lifestyle and freelancing represent a huge change in the way you and I work and have worked in the past. If you take the opportunities presented by the online world, you and I can craft a career that connects with our passions and it will provide a lot more flexibility than a 9-5 job! Technology is something that will always continue to advance, it wil never go away. So in my opinion the freelance revolution and the laptop lifetstyle will shape the future for those who dare to take a leap of faith and jump in the unknown. Because if you do so, the opportunities are endless!
