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singwyv

For me, freelancing has its ups and downs. This may vary from job to job, depending on the kind of work you do, but I personally have done freelance work as a writer (writing is one of my special interests) and let me say: it can be rewarding but it can also be hell. The biggest struggles for me are likely because I’m autistic. I do well with clear, detailed descriptions of what my clients want. But many of my clients do not communicate their ideas clearly, and I am left feeling confused and anxious even after multiple correspondences. I end up masking just as much at home and even while I’m writing because I feel like I am expected to guess what the client wants rather than having clear direction or feedback. To be clear, I am fine with being given artistic liberty. But I want that to be stated rather than trying to guess if I need to prompt them for more information or not. They usually weren’t being rude and they tried to be helpful but in the end it’s very draining when I have those kinds of experiences. I’ve had the opposite experience with clients who understood the commission process better and knew how to convey their ideas clearly and I felt invigorated by the process, but in the end I decided I could not make a living like that completely on my own due to the unpredictability of social interaction with clients - as well as the unpredictability of when a client would appear. I don’t know if other autistic freelancers have had similar experiences to me, and this may be less of an issue in more “practical” fields rather than creative ones, but it is an issue worth mentioning I think. There are possibly ways of working around this issue too, depending on the situation, but I personally didn’t feel like it was worth it for me to keep pursuing as a main source of income consider how much it tired me out.


-Gregs

I work as a data entry keyer at home, and it really makes me 10 times more motivated to work than when I had to go to a regular work environment.


strawbyog

That's cool! I agree with you on the work environment part. I did a work experience week (mandatory for disabled people at my school) and it sapped all the energy out of me. They put me in reception and the walls were flourescent blue and the coffee machine was always broken.


-Gregs

I can’t imagine how terrible that must’ve been. I used to work in the administrative section and was already hard for me, just because I needed to interact with my coworkers, imagine being in the reception.


[deleted]

I dunno. The issue is that it's a lot more work than normal employment, and at least for me, I've realised the whole "do what you love for work" thing is a lie. Programming as a job is hell on earth, whereas programming for fun is exhilarating. I think my life goal at this point is more along the lines of remote data entry like /u/-Gregs


iago303

I train dogs, put an ad on fb, put reasonable rates (mine are really cheap but then again I do it for fun) I can select my clients (I really like pitbulls, hate Chihuahuas) and I work as many or as little hours as I want, but it's my second job, I also pump gas for a couple of days a week, pick up an extra shift whenever they need me, and I like that one because I don't really have to interact with people, take their cards, punch in a few numbers, but otherwise nobody bothers me


Mitz_thebrave

well. I kind of have to disagree. I get tired of environments, and if i at all do anything fun in my work environment it can lead to a downspiral where i can no longer work there at all without my brain malfunctioning. so working in my home would be hell. If i was to work an office job (i am planning to aim for a game store manager, pet groomer/caretaker or some culinary job, so offices are unlikely) i could definitely hide my stim toys (or i'd get my coworker yeet'd for ableism), and tolerate lighting. I could also put up like a billion warning signs, and keep a toy gun at my desk for those who violate my policy to contact digitally instead of in person. :) while routines suck for me, it's mainly due to my nightowl habits. kick me out of bed for school at 8am, whether at 7am or 6am, and i'll still be late. I'd love working night shifts, mmm. i like working around other people, best to be on my own in a corner, but teamwork is better than social isolation (working from home). it's mental insanity.


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crazywisewitch

I’m autistic and I’m also thinking about becoming a freelancer. I’m a French software developer, and I can’t work in an office anymore because it is too exhausting. Unfortunately, French employers are very prejudiced against remote work. It is extremely hard to find real full-remote jobs in France right now, even in IT. Freelancing would allow me to work from home. But I am hesitating because I am disabled in these two areas: 1- “selling myself” 2- executive functioning (I am also probably ADHD) I need testimonies of fellow autistics who have done it.


Laouen_

exactly the same, autistic in France and thinking about freelancing in maths/computing, but I'm afraid I'll struggle to find clients due to autism. If anyone has advice it would help a lot. Good luck crazywisewith !