Kung hindi mo napansin, I went quiet for months.
No blog posts and newsletters. Kahit sa Threads, halos wala.
And if you’ve been following Frugal Freelancer PH for a while, you probably felt that gap.
Seryosong usapan?
I didn’t plan to disappear.
Life just… happened. And not in a soft, aesthetic, “healing era” kind of way. More like – real life, big decisions, and survival mode.
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The past few months were heavy.
We moved out of our old rental apartment (the same place we were also running as an Airbnb). It wasn’t an easy decision, but with everything happening—sunod-sunod na earthquakes, typhoons, and that constant feeling na “parang ang unstable ng mundo lately”—we had to think long-term.
Safety became non-negotiable.
So we looked for a place that felt more secure and stable.
Now, we’re in a 3rd floor apartment here in Eastern Visayas – where, let’s be real, mas madalas ang ulan kaysa araw.
It’s quieter in some ways. But also… heavier.
Because when your environment changes, everything changes with it – your routine, your energy, your priorities.
Building Something While Holding Everything Together
At the same time, I said yes to something I’ve been wanting for a long time.
I joined my partner in building our coworking space.
This wasn’t just another project.
This was something I’ve been imagining for years – a space for freelancers, remote workers, people like us who just need a place to focus and breathe.
But building something from scratch? Grabe.
It’s not just the physical space. It’s:
- Operations
- Marketing
- Finances
- Daily problem-solving
And we were doing all that while still working, still parenting, still trying to stay afloat.
So yeah… the blog had to take a backseat.
Not because it didn’t matter… but because something had to give.
Freelancing Didn’t Stop – But It Changed
Hindi ako nag-quit sa freelancing.
I still have one client.
And like many of you, I’m also looking for a backup client. Because let’s be honest, ang hirap maging kampante ngayon.
The global situation isn’t exactly comforting either.
What’s happening in other parts of the world? You feel it, even from here.
- Rising fuel prices
- Increasing cost of goods
- Clients becoming more cautious with budgets
It’s all connected.
And as freelancers in the Philippines, we’re right in the middle of it.
The Reality of Being a Frugal Freelancer (Right Now)
Let’s talk real for a second.
Being a “frugal freelancer” today isn’t just a cute label.
It’s survival and strategy.
Because:
- Prices keep going up (hello, gasolina)
- Income isn’t always stable
- Benefits? Wala tayo niyan lahat.
Recent estimates still show that many Filipino freelancers earn around ₱15,000–₱30,000/month, especially in the early stages. And even if you’re earning more than that, it doesn’t always feel like enough anymore.
So what do we do?
We adapt.
Not by working more hours until we burn out…
but by becoming more intentional.
What Changed in Me
Stepping away from content gave me wisdom.
Before, I felt like I always had to show up.
Post. Share. Produce. Repeat.
Now?
I’m more grounded.
I understand that:
- Not everything needs to be documented
- Not every season is for output
- And rest (even forced rest) is part of the process
I’m still building.
Just not in a loud, performative way.
Mas tahimik. Mas intentional. Mas totoo.
Why I’m Back
I’m not coming back with a perfect system.
Or a dramatic “this will change your life” promise.
I’m just here… again.
Still figuring things out.
Still adjusting.
Still building.
But this time, I want to be more honest about what freelancing actually looks like:
The uncertainty
The quiet seasons
The in-between phases where you’re not growing fast—but you’re not failing either
Because I know I’m not the only one here.
To You, Reading This
Kumusta ka?
Seriously.
Are you okay?
Nakaka-keep up ka pa ba sa taas ng bilihin? Sa gasolina? Sa pressure?
If you’ve been feeling…
A little behind
A little tired
A little unsure
You’re not alone.
And you’re not failing.
You’re just navigating a really complicated season.
Let’s Move Forward—Slowly, But Surely
If there’s one thing I’m holding onto right now, it’s this:
We don’t need to have everything figured out to keep going.
One client at a time.
One system at a time.
One small win at a time.
And maybe, just maybe…
that’s enough for now.
Stay With Me
If you’ve been here before I disappeared—thank you.
If you’re new here—welcome.
I’ll be sharing again.
Not perfectly. Not consistently every day. But honestly.
Because in times like this, we don’t just need more content.
We need something real.
If this resonated with you, you might want to stay close. I share quiet, honest updates about freelancing, money, and building life at your own pace – straight to your inbox, every week.
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