Discussion: What’s Stopping You?
Are you living the freelance dream? If no, why not? Join in the comments section and tell us whats stopping you. Who knows, you may find the support you need to get the ball rolling.
I got a lot of really nice comments the other day on my post that had pictures of my new life in Costa Rica. They got me thinking that there are many of you that would like to do something similar, but don’t.
So, I was wondering what’s holding you back? Why don’t you move to Costa Rica?
What’s your reasoning, your fears, your obligations, that wont let you move?
About Danny Outlaw
Danny is currently living the freelance dream in sunny (and very hot) Costa Rica with his old lady. You can read some of his freelance work at Costa Rica Travel Scout. He has an obsession with LOST, toys, and Sharpie markers.
12 Responses to “Discussion: What’s Stopping You?”
I guess it’s that I don’t even know where to start. I’m not afraid of moving some place new without knowing anyone. I did it when I went to college and when I studied in Italy.
I’m the oldest of 5 brothers, so there’s a lot of pressure (from myself alone, my parents are incredibly supportive of anything I do short of stupid) to “get out of the way” so to speak and not just “do what I want” unless I can fully support myself without having to come back and place further burden on them.
I don’t believe that’s really putting me in a position where I can’t do what I want, so much as it makes movement towards certain goals (especially exploring the world and moving where it suits me) slower then I’d like. I’m still closer to those goals today then I was yesterday, which I guess is all one can ask for. I’m getting close to the Freelancing Plunge and then after that, the sky is the limit.
What a thought provoking post!
I think what holds me back is the fear of starting again with my freelancing work. I attend a lot of offline networking and meet a lot of my clients face to face. I have built up a bit of a reputation and worry that if I move away I’ll have to start all of that over again (and could be missing out on potential work in my current location). However I can see that that shouldn’t stop me and would be a great challenge to start again and not make the same mistakes as I did the first time round.
hhmmm that’s given me something to think about…
My obligations are to my kids. They are in school and I couldn’t pull them out, away from their friends, to another country.
However, when they are grown and out of the house then…
I definitely would like to freelance or support myself through independent ventures, but I would still want to do so in the midwest (where I currently live). It is not Costa Rica, but I have built up so many good relationships that it would be hard to break those and just get away. I feel like if I was somewhere else, I would simply miss everything I have here.
I think it’s a fear of the unknown, as soon as I think about something like this my mind just goes crazy with thoughts that all begin “what if…?”
Deep down I know things would probably be fine, but my mind works in Mysterious Ways…
I’d also miss my internet connection
Naivet.
I’m completely naive when it comes to anything outside of the U.S. and the logistics of living anywhere else other than the U.S. I’ve certainly entertained the idea of living outside of the U.S. but I have no idea how to get started in that direction in terms of the logistics.
I haven’t been reading your blog for very long, so perhaps you’ve covered this, but would you mind sharing the logistics of your move: Why did you choose Costa Rica? Do you have to have a green card to work there or does this not apply because you are freelancing? How did you find a place down there? What is the cost of living compared to the U.S.? Was this a factor in your decision to move? Etc.
A lot of those are valid reason I suppose, especially the kid one.
@Derek - You dont have to have a special visa to work via the internet here. There are also loop holes to living in Costa Rica.
I chose Costa Rica because I had been here a few times and knew it was a place I liked. I was going to make it work no matter what.
I found a place on craigs list for the initial move and then other places via worth of mouth.
As far as cost of living goes, its all up to you. But, one could live off of US$700 to $1000 a month comfortably.
Wow, that’s much cheaper than I expected. I get that much every month from one client. How’s the language barrier down there? I haven’t spoken Spanish since elementary school.
I dont know much spanish, but get by. I do a lot of pointing and broken spanish. But, I luck out because my old lady is Cuban.
I have been living the freelance life for over 8 years now and I don’t regret it.
Sometimes finance is a bit scary - you need to develop a regular income and some ‘cash-cow’ clients.
Regular networking is vital to keeping yourself going otherwise existing clients will stray, go bust, move on etc. You need to keep topping yourself up with new clients.
Perhaps writing a popular blog which carries advertising income is a good strategy for diversification and maybee selling some design work online could keep you going.
If you can reduce your living costs by moving abroad then good for you, I would miss family and friends tho.
Good blog by the way.
Does she have a sister?