Two weeks ago my boy’s good friend was in town for a work trip and the three of us had breakfast together. His friend asked casually,”So how’s the freelance life? Good and loving it so far? Is it what you really want to do?”

Well, I absolutely loving my job and the lifestyle NOW. I mean, yes I am lucky that I get to work on what I love to do, I can have more than 12 days leave in a year, I have reached the certain amount of income that I set two years ago, I get to spend IDR1.800.000 (RM600++) on my hair which is impossible if I still work as 9 – 5 designer and so on.

But his question did make me think of so-what’s-NEXT? Is this what I really want to do for long term? The answer is NO!

People often says how nice our lifestyle and job is, being our own Boss, yadayada. The truth is, we are no different from people who slaves in their 9 – 5 job. Probably worse. We are the employer (Boss) and employee (slave) at the same time. It’s not a big deal as we’re enjoying the hard-work moment for NOW – which means face the computer for up to 12 hours a day, look for clients, do the design, coding, managing time, managing finance, cover from the start to the end of the project all by ourselves.

Now come the worst part, we are offering service, so when we are sick or away for vacation, no one will be working in the office and the income will be paused until we’re back to work. Bottom line, no work, no income; unless we hire people to do the job but we ain’t ready to build an agency yet. The downside of active income and freelance. No fix monthly income from the Boss and no yearly bonus too. At this point, I’m amazed at how my boy and I managed to travel average 4 times in a year. Whew..

As for now I can afford to face the computer for more than 12 hours a day, at least 72 hours per week, but not in the coming 3 years or when we plan to have Wong junior.

I envision myself to be able to enjoy the motherhood and at the same time having own business line which requires very little time commitment, i.e. not more than 12 hours working-time per week.

Yes, I mean passive income, where I can earn money while sleeping cause the internet is a sleepless world – 24 hours ON! Transaction can happen anytime.

To make it happen, we definitely need to sell our own products instead of offering services for the rest of our life. It could be joint health supplements, beauty products, shoes, anything. We’re aware for the challenges and hard time that will come during the first year or so. We’re so ready for it! After all, what does life mean without challenges and failures?

Well, I’m glad that my boy’s friend threw up that question. It might sound like a casual how-are-you conversation, but it helps me to stop and think of “what’s next?” – an important question that is overshadowed by the boring routine.

I came across this Questions For Freelancers from Trapped in the Office and decided to post my answers here.

1. Where are you the most productive? Do you sit at a desk or in another part of your house? Do you work better in the coffee shop or the park?
The most productive? In terms of ideas (of blogging and design), it could be from anywhere; when I am in the bathroom, blog hopping, watch TV, etc. However, I work better in my own working table. Not in the bedroom, Starbucks, or other place.

2. Do you use a laptop or desktop computer?
I use desktop since few months ago. I used to work on my almost-4-years-old Acer laptop but it’s old enough to accommodate the need of my graphic work. I’m glad that I’m working on a 19″ lcd with a-not-so-bad specifications now.

3. Do you keep a set schedule? Do you only work between certain times? Or when you feel like it?
Most of the time I work base on the schedule, 9am to 5pm as if I’m working in a corporate world, except that I can take a break in the afternoon by watching Singapore drama on TV. I feel more organize in that way.

Sometimes the creative juice refuses to flow during day time but night time, no matter how hard I work on it. In that case, I’ll put aside any interesting movie on TV and sit in front of my computer doing my design work. But, I could only stay up to 12 o’clock and this brain will go numb. Not a night person eh?

However, sometimes I get ‘lost’ in the middle of doing research for design and I end up surfing for digital signage or blog hopping. I suppose it’s a gimme-a-break time.

4. What are 5 things you must have in order to do your job effectively? What can’t you live without? It can be anything from your desk chair to a computer program.
1. Computer
2. A cup of water on my table
3. Adobe Illustrator
4. A comfy mouse, not so big and not so small
5. Fan or air-con

5. How many hours per week do you work online?
Work online = average 3 – 5 hours / day. But when I realized that I’ve used too much (it is time-based connection and the price is sky-high), I will cut down my online hour to 2 hours per day or less than that. Overall I work (online & offline) for 8 hours per day. Most of the time I work during the weekend, so it would be average 50 hours per week or less. I don’t really count.

6. Do you listen to music or television while working or do you like the quiet?
Depends. When I write, I need a quiet environment. Try to talk with me or with other people in the same room with me, I’ll ask you to zip your mouth. When it comes to design, I’ll plug-in earphone and listen to my favorite songs. But sometimes, I don’t need that. Moods talks~!

7. Do you have time for a life outside of writing or has it overtaken your life? Are you Trapped in the Office?
Writing and design almost overtaken my life. I hardly go out during the weekday except for breakfast or to the nearest Bank and atm. But I still have a little time to watch TV, play mini game, go out with friends or family on Sunday.

To other freelancers out there, what are your answers to the above questions?