The Company You Keep: Why Freelancers Need Their Own ‘Co.’ Too
There’s a lie that freelancing tells you early on:
“You’re on your own.”
It’s usually in the 1 a.m. deadlines or 8 a.m. meetings with people who hardly know your name. Or the quiet wins and losses—neither of which anyone sees but you. And for a while, that might feel fine.
You’ve traded the office for autonomy. The meetings for meaning. The boss is now… you.
But at some point, whether it’s after your first big burnout, your fiftieth Google Doc, or the never-ending unsolicited feedback from Karen, you start to feel it.
Company in the Truest Sense
Not a company. Not your LLC. Not the platform you invoice through. But company as in people. Because even the most seasoned solo pros eventually learn the hard truth:
You can go fast alone, but you go further with a Co.
Your “Co.” might be:
- A group chat of creative misfits
- An accountability buddy across the country
- A Slack of strangers who turned into lifelines
- A co-op community; yes, like this one
Whatever it is, it’s yours. And it matters… a lot.
Why You Need Your ‘Co.’
Let’s name what your ‘Co.’ gives you—because it’s not just moral support (though that’s plenty enough):
- Clarity: The best mirror is often someone else’s gut reaction.
- Perspective: You’re not the first to undercharge or overthink.
- Collaboration: You don’t have to do everything—and shouldn’t.
- Protection: Having others watch your blind spots protects your time, energy, and sanity.
- Possibility: Your biggest leap might come from someone else’s idea.
And let’s not forget: Sometimes, just not being alone is the thing that keeps you going.
Freelancing Isn’t a Business. It’s a Way of Life.
The most successful freelancers don’t just manage day-to-day projects; they manage relationships, clients, boundaries, expectations, and emotions.
And the ones who stay in the game are the ones who invest in their “Co.” Their people. Their place. Their purpose.
You may be self-employed, but you’re not alone.
You’ve got company.
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