What No One Tells You About Your First 6 Months as a Freelancer

Hard truths, funny mistakes, and the frugal way to survive them.

When I took the leap into freelancing, I imagined a life of pajama productivity, client applause, and freedom to work on a beach in Siargao. Spoiler alert: I didn’t even make it out of my barangay for the first six months.

Welcome to freelancing—the thrilling, chaotic, liberating, and oh-so-unpredictable journey that no one really prepares you for. Sure, there are YouTube tutorials and IG reels promising ₱100K months, but what they don’t tell you? That your first few months will test your finances, patience, and self-worth more than any 9-to-5 ever did.

So here it is. The real talk. The frugal way. The behind-the-scenes of what really happens in your first 6 months of freelancing in the Philippines.

1. You’ll Undervalue Yourself—Then Regret It

When you’re starting out, every project feels like a blessing. You say yes to lowball offers because “okay na ‘yan, dagdag experience naman.”

But here’s the catch: undervaluing yourself sets the tone.

According to a 2024 Payoneer report, the average hourly rate of freelancers in the Philippines is $11 (₱600+), yet many newbies start at $2 or less. Charging low doesn’t just hurt you—it hurts the entire industry.

Pro tip: Set your rate with intention, not desperation. Learn the market rate for your skill, and if you must start lower, do so with a plan to raise it fast.

2. Clients Will Ghost You (And It’s Not Personal)

You’ll send a perfect proposal, have a great discovery call, and then… crickets.

Ghosting is real. It’s not you, it’s the game. Expect it. Move on.

What helped me? Tracking every pitch I sent in a simple Google Sheet and following up politely. If I didn’t hear back in a week, I’d move on to the next.

3. Income Will Be Chaotic—Budget Like a Walis Tambo

In my third month, I made just enough to pay the internet bill and buy Lucky Me pancit canton in bulk. That’s when I learned that freelancing income is irregular and budgeting is not optional—it’s survival.

My formula:

• 50% Needs (rent, food, bills)
• 30% Business (tools, upskilling)
• 10% Savings
• 10% Debt payments (if any)

I used free banking apps like SeaBank and expense trackers like Notion or Money Manager to keep things tight and transparent.

4. Impostor Syndrome Will Creep In

You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll compare your progress to that freelancer on TikTok who claims to earn 6 figures a month while sipping matcha and manifesting. (Girl, how??)

The truth? Everyone starts somewhere. And no one posts their flop proposals or crying-over-deadlines moments. You’re not behind—you’re just in progress.

5. You’ll Learn More Than Any Degree Could Teach You

Freelancing isn’t just about skill—it’s about grit. You’ll teach yourself how to pitch, negotiate, deal with taxes (hello, BIR!), write invoices, market your brand, and maybe even build a mini agency someday.

You become your own boss, employee, HR, and finance department.

It’s overwhelming. But it’s also empowering.

6. The Right Support System Saves Sanity

Your kapitbahay may never understand what you do. Your relatives might ask if it’s “legit.” (Trust me, my mom even said “scam” ‘tong ginagawa ko. LOL). But find your tribe—whether it’s a Discord group, a Threads community, or fellow freelancers on Reddit.

Surround yourself with people who get it. It makes a world of difference when you need advice, a meme break, or just to hear “same, sis.”

7. Saying “No” is a Power Move

There will be clients who want you to work “for exposure,” respond at midnight, or handle 3x your workload without extra pay.

Say. No. Politely but firmly. Respect your boundaries now, or no one else will.

Final Thoughts: You’ll Survive, Then You’ll Thrive

The first six months are messy, uncertain, and full of lessons the algorithm doesn’t show you. But once you get through it—budgeting with skill, charging what you’re worth, building your confidence—you’ll look back and laugh (a little nervously) at how far you’ve come.

Are you just starting your freelance journey? Or stuck in that unpredictable early stage?

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