As someone who's been navigating the freelance creative life, I was struck by Stef's candid insights during our recent conversation. Stef has been freelancing for over four years, and his monthly newsletter is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone interested in this path.

One of the biggest challenges we discussed is how to remain resilient during the quiet times when work is scarce. As freelancers, we don't have the luxury of being told what to do. The freedom can be "absolutely bombarding," as Stef puts it.

So how does one cope? "I don't think there's ever been a time when it was so easy to distract yourself from working," Stef admits. Social media is a prime culprit – those endless feeds parading other people's highlights can quickly breed resentment. Stef's advice? "I think something that helps me with that is...to move away from social media."

Because let's be honest, those showy LinkedIn posts are often more self-promotion than genuine connection. "It feels like social media is so false that when you post...people comment, not to sincerely congratulate you or continue the conversation, but to say their own profound thing so that their content also gets attention," Stef laments. Ouch.

I resonate with that. The insincerity on professional platforms like LinkedIn can be downright cringeworthy at times. What I've found helps is to be very intentional about who I engage with, and to nurture real relationships over meaningless digital clout.

Another major struggle we discussed is that feeling of "What do I do now?" in those quiet periods. Stef's guidance? "Try learning video animation, try photography, try publishing, try UX, try UI, try web development...just try as much as possible." Experimentation is key.

He also advises against over-preparing with things like having to set aside 6 months' living expenses before going freelance. "It's just another excuse not to do it," he says. As someone who overthinks things, I found this oddly reassuring.

Throughout our chat, I was struck by Stef's consistently philosophical perspective. He references concepts like being "sensitive to the source" of creative ideas, allowing things to unfold organically, and the liberating principle of "Just do it" rather than rationalising everything to death.

As Stef says, "You can't control the ways things will unfold, but you can learn to take actions that serve others." And ultimately, that's what gives freelancing meaning – using our talents to serve others in an authentic way, not just chasing money or professional validation.

If you're craving more of Stef's refreshingly honest insights into the freelance journey, I can't recommend his newsletter highly enough. It's a much-needed antidote to the relentless hustle-porn out there. In the meantime, let's embrace the uncertainties and quiet moments as part of the creative process. As my own freelance experience deepens, I'm learning to trust myself more, to engage sincerely, and to stay devoted to what feels purposeful – not just productivity for its own sake. It's a winding path, but that's all part of the beauty.