Back in early March 2012 at the spring chicken age of 25, I took a leap of faith and moved from Edinburgh where I was working as a junior in-house designer to London where I (in not so many words) dived in to the world of freelance.
I had no job security, no design contacts and very little in the way of design experience behind me. Freelancing was something that very effortlessly popped up in my mind around 1 week after handing in my notice and 5 weeks before I was due to arrive in London. All whilst I was trying to figure out what on earth I was going to do next.
Now 5 years later, I look back on my rather successful adventure and everything that has happened in-between. One part of my nonlinear brain is telling me "...well that was a fullfilling experience", while my logical brain likes to kick in every now and then to say "...what the hell were you thinking moving to a new city with no job or design contacts!?"
Within a few months of arriving in London, my availability was becoming more and more limited and before I knew it, I was booked up on long term contracts. Looking back now I still don't quite know how all of this has happened.
But for all you fellow freelancers out there who know only too well the drill that goes with the world of self employment is a world of unpredictability and uncertainly. All condensed together with months where you have a large influx of cash followed by nothing. And that's how the life of freelancer continues with intense highs followed by intense lows.
I agree that this lifestyle is not for everyone but I believe if you try it for even a short while then you will not regret it.
At the time, I favoured a good balanced lifestyle over a steady paycheck. I'm a girl who likes variety and addicted to airports and all the places these airports can take you. So, whilst the freelance rollercoaster has taken me through times where I've been scraping the last remains of the peanut butter jar just so I didn't have to go out and buy a new one, its also given me the freedom and flexibility to visit some very exciting places including Japan, Barcelona, New York, Australia, New Zealand and recently Portugal where I took a 10 month sabbatical.
Turning freelance has taught me more than just how to be a good designer. It has taught me how to be an organised bookkeeper, marketing guru, spreadsheet fanatic, budgeting enthusiast, travel planner, tax nerd, friendly receptionist and now a self taught surface pattern designer.
All the things that go on in the background of a freelancer that most of you are probably unaware of. In this ever changing market we need to come up with new creative ways to keep our customers happy and maintain a very attractive portfolio.
We are not just freelancers - we are entrepreneurs!
Whatever path we choose to make in the future - whether it's within freelance, permanent employment or a complete change in a career; these skills are irreplaceable.
So, if you want to go freelance or travel on a tight budget, or both... plus everything in-between. Then I can probably bore you endless with possible solutions from how you can travel to and from New Zealand plus the whole country on a tight budget, self employed tax advice, social media tips, CV consultancy, bookkeeping advice and general tips on how to manage your money. Freelancing has also taught me how to be more resourceful with my belongings as well as my finances.
Plus, having the freedom to take a flexible 10 month sabbatical gave me the opportunity to explore a new culture, start learning a new language and work on all those personal projects that I just didn't have time for back in London. The space to breath, step back and think about your options on where you want to go next in your personal and professional life is essential!
Now I am back in London with a more positive outlook on what direction I am going in. My 5 years of being self employed has been an incredible experience and I wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't make that leap of faith back in March 2012. And now starting to promote my new ideas created from my sabbatical has been a very exciting experience.
You can view my portfolio of work on my website www.thisispedder.com.
Keep up to date with all my surface pattern creations:
instagram: @thisisrachelpedder
Facebook: @thisisrachelpedder
Of course, if there's anything you like then you can make a purchase on my Redbubble shop.
...And to top it off, last week I got some more exciting 
news from Creativepool that I've made it to #16 of the top 25 Surface Pattern Designers
If you're interested in knowing more about what I do then you can drop me an email [email protected]. I am currently available for new opportunities.
I will leave you all with my rather cliché, easier said than done but honest advice.
"Whatever you want to do or be - trust your instincts and don't let fear get in the way of your success"
Rachel x