Why I Chose Freelancing in a Brutal Job Market

[madmax]

After my layoff, I initially planned to freelance “on the side” while job hunting. That plan unraveled quickly. The job market had changed — fewer openings, thousands of applicants per listing, and hiring rates at a 10-year low. Every LinkedIn post seemed to say “Over 100 applicants” within hours.

That’s when freelancing stopped feeling like a fantasy and started feeling practical. More Gen Z professionals are choosing self-employment, and I realized I didn’t have to wait for permission from a hiring manager to build a career.

Instead of overwhelming myself with long-term income goals, I focused on surviving the transition: therapy, research, mindset work, and small steps forward. The shift from stable salary to self-generated income isn’t just logistical — it’s emotional. But once I committed to the process, momentum slowly followed.

[cryptohog]

love seeing more gen z choosing autonomy over the classic “wait for permission” career path