Four Things to Consider Before You Start Freelancing
A Discernment Guide for Catholic Women
For many Catholic women, the question of work isn’t just about a job. It’s about vocation, stewardship, and how to faithfully balance a profession with family life and the needs of those entrusted to us.
Sometimes, this balance isn’t possible. The demands of full-time work often leave no time for family life. At the same time, the lack of options for meaningful part-time work leaves many feeling stuck.
In recent years, freelancing has emerged as a kind of “third way,” straddling the divide between full-time work and staying home full time. It offers flexibility, autonomy, and the possibility of meaningful work alongside family life.
For some, freelancing feels like an answer to prayer. For others, it raises real questions and concerns.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether freelancing might be the right next step, this article is for you. Before taking the leap, here are four things to consider through the lens of wisdom, discernment, and trust in God’s providence.
1. Full-Time Work and the Myth of Security
The idea of freelancing may come with the fear of uncertainty and instability. It can be unsettling not to know what projects or what clients you will have, or what your exact monthly income will be. However, I’d like to debunk the myth of security around full-time jobs.
As many have seen recently, having a full-time job isn’t always the most secure position to be in. People can get laid off. Companies can close. Contracts can be canceled. If this happens, the transition to finding other work can be stressful and unpredictable.
As a freelancer, if a client ends a project or goes out of business, you have other clients. More importantly, you have a network and a system you use to find other clients, so that transition isn’t as disruptive. You can diversify your income streams as a freelancer and thus avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.
Freelancing, once your network and business development system are established, can offer you more stability over the long term while giving you a great deal of autonomy and flexibility in the near term.
2. Use Wisdom and Prudence in Your Discernment
As with all major decisions, use wisdom and prudence when discerning whether to freelance. Prudence is “practical wisdom,” that enables us “to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it” (CCC 1806).
When I was discerning whether to start my freelance copywriting business, I found the four steps of prudence that Edward Sri laid out in his book, “The Art of Living,” very useful.
Seek Counsel
First, seek counsel and gather information from the right sources. That helps to make sure you’re not making decisions based on emotion alone. This could be a spiritual director, spouse, or a good friend or family member whom you trust.
In seeking counsel, Sirach encourages us to “associate with a religious person, who you know keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will grieve for you if you fall. Then, too, heed your own heart’s counsel; for there is nothing you can depend on more .… then with all this, pray to God to make your steps firm in the true path (Sirach 37:12-15).
Use Good Judgment
Second, use judgment informed by right principles and right desires. An idea that sounds good at first may not be the best after weighing all the factors. Some helpful questions to ask yourself are:
What will this cost me?
How would this affect my vocation?
How will this impact my loved ones?
This is important. While freelancing isn’t as unstable as people may think, it can take a while to establish yourself. I was able to make the leap because my husband works full-time, so we aren’t dependent on my income alone. In my case, freelancing would also help my vocation as a mother, because it would allow me to have more time for family, while also pursuing my love of writing.
Be Decisive
Third, be decisive. Once you’ve sought appropriate counsel and exercised judgment, make a decision and take action. This can be difficult, especially if it means making a big life change!
But, the virtue of decisiveness keeps the truth of the good you are pursuing clearly in front of you so that you can make an act of the will to take the next step in faith.
Do Not Be Anxious
Fourth, do not be anxious. How many times does Scripture tell us this? What resonated with me during my discernment process was St. John Paul II’s quote: “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you.” It reminded me of Our Lord’s call to Simon when he said, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).
Moving into a freelance career takes faith, surrender, and trust in God’s providence. But I remember that when I started, a move that could have been terrifying was actually exciting, and because I had been intentional with my discernment, I viewed it as the start of a great personal and spiritual adventure!
3. Assessing Charisms
At baptism, we are given unique spiritual gifts — charisms — that we can use to build up the Church. When discerning whether to freelance, pay special attention to your unique charisms. This will help give you direction regarding what industry or role you choose if you freelance.
I remember when I took my own charism assessment as an adult, I felt really empowered to focus on using those gifts as a freelancer and in my volunteer work. My top charisms are knowledge, writing, teaching, administration, wisdom, and discernment. As a freelance copywriter and a volunteer catechist, I use many of those charisms.
Many parishes offer a Called and Gifted program to help people discern their charisms, and Many Parts Ministries also offers online assessments.
It makes all the difference knowing that the work I’m doing is not only work I like to do, but also the work that I have been created and called to do.
4. Join the Right Networking Group
The biggest game changer that has helped me as a freelancer is joining the right business networking group. It has helped me form deep relationships with other local businesses, who are now wonderful referral partners.
The network that I’m a part of is very structured, meets often, and is geared toward intentionally helping members grow through referrals. It’s not only helped me find clients, but it has also helped me have a group of like-minded people to learn from and be encouraged by.
There are many kinds of networking groups out there, so do your research when finding one. But joining the right network can do wonders for your freelance business.
Growing in Trust and Faith
I have to say that in starting my own freelance copywriting business, I have grown in trust in God’s providence and in my faith. I am keenly aware of how I need His help. I view every new client or opportunity as a blessing and a way I can serve Him by using my charisms to help others.
In my journey as an entrepreneur, I know I am not alone. I invite Jesus into every day, every conversation, and every project. There’s no way I can do this alone, so if God wants me to be on this path, He needs to help me!
May God bless you in your discernment process, and always.
Yvonne Siu Turner has contributed to White House initiatives, national social impact marketing campaigns, and has written copy for Fortune 500 companies, solopreneurs, and everyone in between. She offers copywriting, editing, and content marketing services to purpose-oriented and community-minded brands. She is also a Master Catechist and volunteers with her parish’s OCIA program. She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and son. Learn more at www.yvonneturnercopy.com.