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Why I Quit Freelance Writing to Start a Profitable Blog

I still remember the first time I said out loud, “I think I want to quit freelance writing.”

It felt strange, like I was breaking up with a version of myself that had been hustling for years — pitching editors, waiting weeks (sometimes more…) for replies, and celebrating every “yes” like it was a national holiday.

Freelancing was my first real ticket to working from home (I worked as both a freelance French-English translator and writer/ghostwriter), being creative, and not having a boss breathing down my neck.

And yet… it also came with this constant, quiet exhaustion that no one really talks about.

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The Freelance Writer Hustle I Couldn’t Keep Up With

When I started freelancing, I loved the independence — but it didn’t take long for that “freedom” to feel a little like chaos wearing a cute hat. Every month was a new hunt for gigs, a new batch of emails to send (many of which would never get a reply), and a new set of editors whose inboxes seemed to exist in another dimension.

And while some months went great, others were hello, financial anxiety, my old friend. Freelance writing was never bad to me — it just never felt sustainable enough.

It’s hard to describe that pressure unless you’ve lived it: you spend days researching, writing, and editing… only to get an email weeks later saying, “Hey, sorry, our editorial direction changed.” And there goes your carefully written 2,000-word piece into the void.

When that happens enough times, even the strongest coffee can’t save your motivation.

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The “What If” That Changed Everything

At some point, I asked myself something scary but necessary:

“What if I took all this energy I’m giving other people’s sites — and used it to build my own?”

I’d been ghostwriting for children’s books, brands, and magazines for years, watching their content rank, their traffic grow, their income multiply.

Meanwhile, my name wasn’t even on most of it.

So, I quit freelance writing — not out of bitterness, but out of curiosity. I wanted to know what would happen if I built something that was truly mine.

Of course, I didn’t simply quit freelancing completely (including my job as a French-English translator) out of the blue, no. I worked on my first blog for almost 2 years before I could make a full-time income from it.

But now, 10 years later, I couldn’t be more thankful for the choices my past self made — I’m my own boss, I can work from home or while traveling across Europe, and I make more than I ever dreamed.

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How Blogging Gave Me the Stability I Was Searching For

Starting my blog felt like stepping into the unknown, but it quickly became one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made. (I even discovered I’m versatile enough to handle SEO.)

Instead of chasing clients every month, I began creating evergreen content that worked for me 24/7. Blog posts I wrote years ago continue to bring traffic and income today — even if I’m rewatching my favorite 90s anime for the 100th time (priorities, people, priorities).

Now, my blog monetizes through several income streams: ad revenue, affiliate programs, digital products, and collaborations. The best part? The longer I stay consistent, the more it grows.

Sure, being self-employed as a blog owner means my payments come in on different days (for a girl with ADHD, this screams “get yourself a planner or chaos will reign” 😂), as I have several income streams. But the tradeoff — freedom, creativity, and actual peace — is worth every spreadsheet I have to organize.

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The Surprising Thing That Happens When You Stick With It

Something magical happens when your blog begins to gain recognition.

These days, I very rarely spend time pitching brands (only when I come across an opportunity that will pay exceptionally well or yield a great backlink that will bring thousands of page views and sales for my blog) or hunting for clients on LinkedIn or X (Twitter). They find me.

Literally, I’ll open my inbox and there’s a brand saying, “Hey, we love your content — can we collaborate?”

It’s one of those full-circle moments that still makes me smile. Because in the freelance world, I used to fight for visibility. Now, visibility works for me.

I’m updating this post on November 13, 2025 (it was originally published back on November 17, 2021), and it still amazes me how far things have come. Just two weeks ago, I collaborated with Adobe Express, and recently wrote a commissioned post for PeaPrint — both opportunities that landed straight in my inbox, no pitching required.

And it’s all thanks to consistent blogging, SEO-friendly content, and being myself online — even when that means mentioning I occasionally blast punk or metal music while writing (because if I can’t headbang at my home office, what’s even the point?).

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Freelance Writing vs. Blogging: What Changed for Me

Freelance writing taught me discipline. Blogging taught me ownership.

When I was freelancing, my income stopped the second I stopped writing. Every article I turned in meant a one-time payment — and that was it. I didn’t own the content or the results it generated later.

But now that I quit freelance writing, with my *own* blog, each post is like planting a little seed that keeps growing. Some posts blossom into evergreen traffic sources. Some attract sponsors. Others quietly earn affiliate income in the background while I’m living my life.

The difference? My effort now compounds rather than evaporates.

Let’s Be Real: Freelance Writing Isn’t “Bad”

I don’t want this to sound like I’m against freelance writing — *I’m not*. In fact, freelancing gave me the skills and confidence even to start my blog in the first place. For a long time, I actually made a living solely through freelancing.

It’s a great career path for many people, especially those who love variety and structure from editors and clients.

It just wasn’t the best fit for me.

I realized I work best when I have full creative control, when I can pivot quickly, and when I can write in my own voice — even if that voice occasionally rambles about anime or snacks between keyword sections lol. (Hey, that’s branding, right?)

The Mental Peace I Didn’t Know I Needed

One of the biggest changes since I quit freelance writing? My peace of mind.

Back then, every business email notification caused me anxiety, making my stomach drop — was it a rejection? A new assignment? A “we’re cutting our budget” message?

Now, when I open my inbox, it’s filled with collaboration requests, affiliate updates, and sweet comments from readers/email subscribers who found my posts helpful.

That shift — from constant uncertainty to steady ownership — is what really convinced me I made the right choice.

Building a Blog That Works For You

If you’re reading this and feeling stuck in that freelance grind, know this: you don’t have to quit freelance writing overnight. You can start your blog as a side project. Build it slowly. Let it grow in the background.

That’s actually what I did. And once it started making more money than my client work (and, let’s be honest, making me happier), the choice became obvious.

Because it’s not really about quitting freelance writing — it’s about choosing a path that fits who you are now.

Final Thoughts

These days, my office is my living room. I work barefoot. I make coffee whenever I want. If I’m bored, I can take a break, put on a metal or punk rock playlist, and headbang around while pretending I’m editing (multitasking?).

I’m not saying my job is always easy — running a blog means juggling SEO, updates, and deadlines — but it’s mine.

Quitting freelance writing wasn’t the end of my writing career. It was the start of me finally writing on my own terms — and getting paid for it, again and again, long after I hit “publish.”

So, if you’ve been feeling the same tug I did a few years ago, maybe it’s time to listen to it.

After all, your best stories might just be the ones you tell on your own platform. 💻✨

FAQ: Quit Freelance Writing & Freelancing in General