But prematurely deciding to freelance for any length of time can severely damage your career and mental health. You’ll feel pressured to take any work you can find just to keep the bills paid and your skills will erode as you crank out an endless stream of cheap WordPress sites.
This is a gross generalization. When I started doing freelance a bit over a year ago, I had $500 in the bank, one client, and was quitting an internship at a low bar design studio. If any word applies to my story, it's premature (I decided to quit 24 hours before I resigned). In professional terms, I was an idiot.
But, that didn't mean I was left in a lurch of WordPress sites and sorrow. Rather, it led to immense motivation to develop my skills and build up my network. How did I do it? I was realistic about my skills, my pricing, and the jobs I would get. Then, I busted my ass to turn around excellent work. Time after time, I delivered, either resulting in repeat business or referrals. What's better, my skills have significantly developed.
Don't be discouraged by this. Acknowledge where you're at, where you want to be, and work to build a bridge between those two points. It take a very long time and a lot of hard work. If you're serious: don't give up and keep getting better.