I wrote a short review in 2024, for the first time as a freelancer, on the previous year. I didn’t quite have a long, beautiful ferry ride this year, but I did take time to capture the highlights and lowlights and most importantly, reflect on what I changed and what still needs to change.
Financial review
This was a really stable year in terms of baseline earnings from moving part time in house. It was such a pleasure to know all my basic life expenses are covered, and that additional work was to pay for pensions, fun and life savings. I had three main clients this year:
- A long-term collaboration where I have done a number of practical pieces of work. This year I bid (and won) with a colleague a piece of strategic work. Then another one followed.
- With another freelancer, I wrote a proposal for a wild card project on a Sunday. We won and have spent the last 6 months doing well paced, well paid work.
- A repeat client for running an event and the prep research. This came via my old manager and was well paid, prestigious and surreal.
I also put in at least 3 proposals that came to nothing and required a lot of time and effort. A mixed year.
Both collaborators noted above are also women with significant experience. Thanks to them both for forcing me to recon with my worth and increase my fees for the first time in a decade. It has made such a difference to have someone else reflect back that “no, you are worth this much and we need to be honest and realistic about what we charge to cover all the time and things that aren’t paid”. Lesson learnt.
What did I enjoy
I reflected on what I enjoyed about different projects over the year.
- Working with brilliant women. All my collaborators are basically middle aged women with whom I have really strong, trusting relationships. It’s easy, even when we are trying to do many things with little resources as soon as possible.
- I am respected enough I can put up boundaries and be realistic about what I need from a partnership. I can ask for help and time.
- Disappearing for days is still the best strategy for getting work done. And my team are happy for me to do this.
- I did less formal management of individuals and a lot of community tendering. I like this. I really don’t like stifling hierarchies (although a bit is good to get stuff done).
What did I learn?
- I am worth more than I thought and it’s not that hard to ask for it.
- I need a few topics of focus that I can dive into. This year was care, housing retrofit and randomly, journalism. Enough to be stimulated, not too much to be overwhelmed.
- I also need a team for every project. No more solo work.
- Going to the office every day is good for me. I need the physicality of space. I can’t work in cafes.
Did I do anything differently?
Last year, I set a few intentions for the year.
The plan | The reality | What next? |
Be more consistent about blocking days for work. | I did not do this and my wellbeing really suffered by the end of the year. | I came back in 2026 determined to put this into place. I fixed my days and will stick to being more disciplined, yet still working with my energy and the need to sometimes flex for collaboration. |
Be better at starting the day without social media- explore how to get into the work-zone so that I can work less hours and have more time for reading and fun. | I used many blockers and managed to get mostly off Instagram. LinkedIn gets me sometimes but getting more disciplined. | Put more blockers on laptop for only using LI at set times at the end of the day. |
Wait before saying yes. | I got better at asking questions and at least considering things before saying yes. I didn’t get into anything I wanted to get out of. | Keep at it! |
Schedule a day a month for learning. This can be reading/ courses, but the time needs to be protected. | Did not happen. I didn’t finish any of the courses I signed up for. I did listen actively to loads of podcasts and read more books. | Sign up to course on set days and times. |
Additional intentions for 2026 include:
- Set a bigger financial buffer. The economy is not doing well.
- To be more comfortable in my seniority and giving (public) opinions.
- To do a post project reflection every time something finishes.