Articles, essays & letters

Writing.

Notes on design, communication and working life. A little more room to think something through.

The archive, so far: 85 articles · 32,528 words · 176,136 characters

More writing

Newest first
Two cups sit together on a firmly supported wooden plank.
Clients & pricing

Happy clients

Building working relationships through clear expectations, honest communication, and reliable delivery.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 25

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A watering can nourishes two neighbouring plants, one with an orange bloom.
Life & perspective

You are selfish

Looking at ambition, helping others, and the motives behind the work we choose to do.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 24

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A crafted wooden object balances against an orange price tag.
Clients & pricing

How much do I charge?

Thinking beyond a price list to understand the value of your work and how to communicate it.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 23

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A balance beam becomes a bench with a cushion, book and briefcase.
Working life

Work-life bullshit

Questioning the idea of a perfect balance and choosing how you want work to fit into your life.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 22

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Old and new pencils beside a folded letter in an open notebook.
Career & growth

Lessons for my past self

Looking back at the lessons I wish I had understood earlier in my freelance career.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 21

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One orange stone takes priority in a wooden tray ahead of other pebbles.
Productivity

How do I prioritise?

Choosing what deserves your attention when everything seems urgent and the list keeps growing.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 20

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An open office doorway with a briefcase inside and an orange path leading out.
Freelancing

Quitting my real job

The story of leaving employment and taking responsibility for the way I wanted to work.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 19

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A sundial and orange mug beside a crescent-shaped ornament.
Working life

Morning person?

Finding a daily rhythm that fits your life rather than following someone else's ideal routine.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 18

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Wooden reels joined by a web of orange thread.
Freelancing

The power of networking

Building relationships, sharing opportunities, and showing up before you need something.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 17

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A wooden abacus beside a blank ledger and pencil.
Clients & pricing

Pricing basics II: calculating rates

Working out what you need to earn and comparing hourly, project, and personal priorities.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 16

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An hourglass and sun disc beside a crafted wooden cube.
Clients & pricing

Pricing basics I: hourly vs. day rate

Why your time and your value are different, and how billing choices shape your working life.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 15

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An unusual orange cup stands among three plain ivory cups.
Working life

What's wrong with you?

On enjoying work, feeling like the odd one out, and finding people who understand your choices.

Newsletter · Breaking Freelance · No. 14

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