Freelancing allows me to keep my day-to-day work varied, challenging and interesting – I really don’t see how I could have achieved this level of job satisfaction working in a larger company as part of a team.

And yes, the travel and the meetings aren’t something I miss – I save at least the equivalent of two working days a week that I can spend doing something far more productive!

As you know, I’ve been freelancing for several years, until I landed a job with a game dev outfit here in NZ.

Within 6 months I was made redundant as the company shut its doors, citing a downturn in profits. Until this point, I’ve never felt the affects of recession!

I believe freelancers are relatively immune from it, due to their low overheads and adaptability. Outsourcing to freelancers by companies is also a cheaper proposition (less overheads in terms of salaried personnel, etc), so the work is more forthcoming too.

In answer to your question above, (from my point of view of course!)…

Prior to freelancing, I was also a Director of a company (or 2!), which had their own issues in terms of running a business – with overheads, answering to fellow directors, dealing with investors, etc All this involved meetings and endless discussions on how to move the company forward. Freelancing removes all this. It’s just you and your client(s). You are free to run the business as you see fit. Although there are downsides of course, the main benefit is the freedom to choose your own path.

Of course, you know this too, being in the same boat. :)