Things that move the needle without burning you out 💌

I'm tired of hustle culture and it's only the first week of Jan

Hi, it’s Sara.

If you’re reading this, welcome to Freelancing Females. I’m really glad you’re here.

January has this funny energy, doesn’t it? Half fresh-start optimism, half quiet panic. Everyone online is suddenly a millionaire, fully booked, and waking up at 5am to journal and cold plunge.

Looking at all the work 2025 me ‘pushed to next year’

Meanwhile, real-life freelancers are thinking:

• “I want more clients… but not at the cost of my sanity.”

• “I don’t want to hustle harder, I want this to feel steadier.”

• “I know I’m good at what I do. Why doesn’t it feel consistent yet?”

If that’s you, you’re exactly where you need to be.

Freelancing Females started because freelancing can be incredibly freeing and also weirdly lonely. You’re expected to be the strategist, marketer, salesperson, delivery team, and emotional support human… all at once.

And most advice out there falls into two unhelpful camps:

1. Hustle until you burn out

2. Manifest it and hope for the best

We’re not doing either.

This year, I want freelancing to feel less like constant firefighting and more like momentum. Not overnight success. Just steady progress you can trust.

So instead of big resolutions, here are a few practical ways to start the year strong. Nothing overwhelming. Just things that actually move the needle.

1. Pick ONE main client channel

Not Instagram and LinkedIn and job boards and networking events.

Just one to focus on for the next 30 days.

• LinkedIn

• Job boards

• Networking (online or in person)

Consistency in one place beats scattered effort everywhere.

2. Get clear on how people can hire you

Ask yourself:

• If someone wanted to work with me today, would they know how?

If the answer is “maybe,” fix that first.

• Update your bio

• Add a clear CTA

• Make the next step obvious (DM, link, form, email)

Clarity creates confidence, for you and for them.

3. Revisit your pricing (gently)

You don’t need to double your rates overnight. But ask:

• Do my prices reflect my skill level now?

• Am I slightly undercharging out of fear?

Even a small increase or better packaging can change how clients show up.

4. Decide what “enough” looks like this year

Instead of vague goals like “more clients,” define:

• How many clients feel sustainable?

• How much income covers your life without constant stress?

• How many hours do you actually want to work?

This stops you from chasing everything.

5. Stop doing this alone

This one matters most.

Freelancing gets so much easier when you’re not guessing, second-guessing, or spiralling by yourself. Having support, accountability, and real conversations changes everything.

That’s what Freelancing Females is here for.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing practical advice, honest insights, and real strategies you can actually use. No fluff. No gatekeeping. No “just work harder” energy.

If you ever reply to these notes, I read them. Tell me where you’re at, what you’re working towards, or what feels hard right now. This isn’t a one-way thing.

Here’s to a year of calmer strategy, better boundaries, and clients who value you.

We’ve got this 🤍

Sara
Freelancing Females

👀 Learn Grant Writing is looking for a skilled, fast-moving graphic designer to help them elevate our existing brand in preparation for a new product launch in March. More information here.

🥳 Our exciting new quarterly challenge is going live in our membership! If you’ve been curious about joining, use code ‘SUBSTACK’ at checkout for a free month trial.

🧵New fave hobby unlocked! Over the holidays, I took up sewing again 🪡 it has been so nice to have something to do that doesn’t involve screens in the evenings! I have been loving using Sewing with Solana’s templates to make cute pieces.

📚 The only productivity book you need to read this year.

🦋 Loved this blog! Doing it scared: building your personal brand while figuring yourself out.