From Doubt to Determination – A Freelancer’s Journey

Freelancing had always interested me, but I wasn’t sure which niche to choose. Videos or photography weren’t my thing. Since I came from a tech background, I thought, “Why not tech writing?” It felt like the right choice.

At first, I didn’t take writing too seriously. I casually wrote tech blogs without expecting much. I didn't know basic freelancing terms like pitching and leads. But I didn't let my ignorance stop me. I kept going, even though the path was unclear.

One day, I randomly sent a cold DM to a client. I didn’t know anything about following up either. I wasn’t sure when I’d hear back, but after about a week, I got a reply. At first, the client said he wasn’t looking for blog writers. I didn’t expect much, so I left thinking about that. And to my surprise, He enquired about my charges. I landed my first client on that very first attempt. That’s when everything started to make sense.

Lesson One: Action Beats Hesitation

Sometimes, scrolling aimlessly through social media doesn’t give you anything. You have to stop, engage, and hold tight to something that sparks your curiosity. When you act on those thoughts, you gain something meaningful. This applies to writing or learning.

Satisfaction--when someone appreciates your work

Money--when it helps pay the bills

Motivation--when it drives you to create more

Whatever it is, the key is to add value to someone else’s life—

make them more money,

save them money,

or save them time

Lesson Two: Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

As I kept writing, I realized I couldn’t worry too much about likes, followers, or vanity metrics. None of those translate into money or long-term growth. First, it's not about the stats. It's about showing up, honing your craft, and creating helpful content.

I focused on the work: ideating, writing, and reading many articles to learn what worked. And you know what? That’s how you grow. Progress over perfection, always.

Lesson Three: Build Your Path to Success

One thing I quickly learned is that there’s no single blueprint for success. Sure, I read stories of how others made it, but I didn’t rely on any one method. I will take their suggestions and mould them into my version of success. It meant ignoring negativity and focusing on my journey, regardless of others' opinions.

Lesson Four: Trust Yourself

At the end of the day, the only person who truly knows what’s right for you is YOU. Sometimes, following your passion means making hard decisions, even when it’s uncomfortable. Trust yourself. Block out negativity and take a leap into the unknown. Focus on what you enjoy. The rest will fall into place with time.

So, here’s my advice: don’t let the fear of others’ opinions hold you back. Take action, learn, and grow. Every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to where you want to be.

And when you look back, you’ll thank yourself for taking that first step.