Amazing how time flies.
In my last post, I had written about all the exciting news that awaited for me back from my maternity leave. I was full of energy and ready to start.
All of this paid off. During the last year, I’ve been able to: Continue reading
Eventually, my maternity period has come to an end.
I’m sad because I constantly miss my daughter, while sitting in front of my PC… alone, for virtually the first time in three months.
But on the other hand I’m also happy, because I feel full of new energies and ready to run my business more efficiently (since I’ve got less time), to hear again from my clients (I can honestly say I’ve missed the daily emails I used to exchange with many of them) and, of course… to start translating again! Continue reading
(If you’ve missed Part 1, you can catch up here)
So, we’re almost there! In a few days, my maternity hiatus will officialy begin. I must confess I have mixed feelings about this: I’m so happy to start focussing on myself and the baby, but I’m sure I’ll somehow miss my freelancing routine.
However, since I’m a girl with a plan at heart, I’ve already scheduled a few activities to keep me busy… Okay, more than just a few! 🙂 Long story short, this is basically what I hope to achieve in this period as far as my business is concerned: Continue reading
(Yes, you guys, I’m pregnant with my first baby!)
In one month and a half, my life will dramatically change: I’ll be on “maternity hiatus”, and I’ll stop working full time for at least a few months (or maybe longer, I really don’t want to make plans ahead* since I don’t know what my life as a mom will be like). Continue reading
I’ve always loved the idea that working by myself and for myself also enables me to build a meaningful business.
This does not necessarily means taking striking actions to make the world a better place as suggested in this article:
Working hard is essential, but entrepreneurs also have a unique opportunity to make the world a better place in the process.
I read plenty of blog and forum posts stating that translators, and freelancers in general, are entrepreneurs. Or need to think like entrepreneurs. Or act like entrepreneurs with their customers and competitors.
The truth is, I really don’t understand why. I guess this is just a more fashionable way to look at it. Maybe someone has embraced this perspective after the tenth time she’s been asked if being a freelancer means to have a real job, and I can understand that.
However, this isn’t true: we are NOT entrepreneurs! Seth Godin has already said it all: Continue reading
Many people wonder what does a freelancer’s day look like.
However, there is no simple or universal answer to this question. It really depends on your job, your lifestyle, your family situation and even your income goals.
In my case, I don’t have any children yet, but I have a house and a husband to take care of. I have a rather flexible job and my income goal is not as high as it could be, because I prefer working (and therefore earning) a little bit less per day to be able to have a walk every day, cook our food from scratch and so on. As you can imagine from these words, we also live pretty frugally. Continue reading
Of course, I do love translating and running my freelance business, but one of the main reasons why I’ve chosen this life is certainly the freedom a freelancing activity ensures. The ability to chose the people to work with, my business hours and my schedule is priceless and so invaluable that I’m beyond grateful for it.
This also gives me the chance to enrich my working days with a few “happy things” that help me reach the end of the day with a smile, no matter how hard my tasks at hand were. A few examples? Here we go! Continue reading