At first glance, leaving a successful career as a content creator for a traditional 9-to-5 job might seem counterintuitive, especially when the allure of self-employment is so strong. The freedom, the flexibility, the ability to craft your own schedule—these are the benefits often highlighted by those who work for themselves. However, after three years of navigating the creator economy, I made the decision to return to full-time employment. Here’s why it was the right choice for me.
1. Burnout and Boredom
Despite the perceived freedom of self-employment, I found myself grappling with two opposing feelings: boredom and burnout. While many people fear the temptation to slack off when working from home, I experienced the opposite. I was always productive, but eventually, I found the work monotonous. The creative spark that had driven me initially began to fade. The excitement of creating content, researching SEO strategies, and hustling for new clients was replaced by a sense of drudgery.
The problem wasn’t that I lacked the discipline to work; it was that I had lost the passion for the daily grind. Even though I was working fewer hours, I found myself mentally exhausted and uninspired. I realized that while I enjoyed creating, I didn’t enjoy the constant pressure to produce content and manage every aspect of a business on my own.
Key Takeaway: Burnout can occur even when you’re doing something you love, especially if the work becomes repetitive and the creative challenges diminish.
2. Limited Travel Opportunities
One of the most celebrated perks of being a digital nomad is the ability to travel while working. However, the reality didn’t match the dream for me. My partner’s job was office-based, and he didn’t have the flexibility to travel as much as I could. My cats and friends were also at home, tying me to one location. Traveling alone while juggling work didn’t hold the appeal I thought it would.
The freedom to work from anywhere didn’t translate into frequent, fulfilling travel experiences. Instead, I found myself staying home more often than not, missing the sense of adventure that many creators chase.
Key Takeaway: The freedom to travel while working is only as valuable as your personal circumstances allow. Without the ability to share those experiences with loved ones, the appeal can quickly fade.
3. Lack of Benefits and Financial Stability
One of the biggest challenges of freelancing is managing the financial aspects of your business. While self-employment offers the potential for high earnings, it also comes with the uncertainty of variable income, lack of employer-sponsored benefits, and the need to handle everything from taxes to retirement planning on your own.
I found myself longing for the stability and security that comes with full-time employment. Regular paychecks, health benefits, and a 401k plan provided peace of mind that I couldn’t achieve as a freelancer. The administrative burden of managing invoices, taxes, and other financial tasks was a constant source of stress, detracting from the creative work I actually enjoyed.
Key Takeaway: The financial stability and benefits provided by full-time employment can outweigh the allure of potentially higher but unpredictable freelance income.
4. The Desire for Team Collaboration
Freelancing can be lonely. While I enjoyed the autonomy of working for myself, I missed the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that comes with being part of an organization. Building a business on your own can be isolating, and over time, I began to crave the connection and collaboration that a team environment offers.
When I decided to look for full-time work, one of my primary motivations was to be part of something bigger than just my solo enterprise. I wanted to contribute to a team, share ideas, and work towards common goals with others. This desire for collaboration and a sense of belonging ultimately drove me back to the traditional workforce.
Key Takeaway: The social and collaborative aspects of working in a team can be more fulfilling than the independence of freelancing, depending on your personality and work style.
5. The Freedom to Focus on What Matters
One of the most surprising benefits of returning to full-time work was the freedom it gave me to focus on what I truly enjoy. As a freelancer, I was responsible for everything—marketing, finances, client acquisition, product design, and more. While some people thrive on wearing multiple hats, I found it overwhelming.
By joining a company, I could focus on my strengths—writing and creating content—without the distraction of running a business. The structure of a full-time job allowed me to channel my energy into the work I was passionate about, while leaving the administrative and operational tasks to others.
Key Takeaway: Full-time employment can provide the structure and support needed to focus on your core strengths, freeing you from the distractions of managing a business.
Conclusion
Leaving a successful creator career wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one for me. The shift from freelancing to full-time employment brought me the stability, collaboration, and focus I was missing. While self-employment has its advantages, it’s not the right fit for everyone. If you’re feeling burned out, unfulfilled, or isolated in your freelance work, it might be worth considering whether a return to full-time employment could bring you the balance and satisfaction you’re seeking. Ultimately, the goal is to create a life that aligns with your values and makes you happy—whether that’s as a freelancer, an employee, or something in between.