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05.26.22

10 Lessons from 10 years of freelancing

  • Posted By : Jenn Chen/
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  • Under : Business, Personal

Today, I celebrate a decade of freelancing/self-employment.

Something funny happens when you give notice at a job: people ask you what you’re going to do next. So when I put in my notice at Groupon a decade ago, after burning out twice, I did it because I was on the edge of a third burnout. I had enough saved up at the time and very few expenses so I was able to leave without thinking of what I’d do next. But because people kept asking, I ended up scrambling for an answer and blurted out, “I’m starting a business! I’m going to do coffee crawls!”

Wow, I was so naive. Fast forward through creating and ending that business, part-time jobs, a “full-time” client that paid me as a consultant, and offering and stopping services, here I am.

One decade is a long time. If you’ve been following along in my journey, you’ll know that I like to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. My freelance-versary is a big win: it’s marked in my calendar, I usually do something to celebrate it, and I write one of these posts to mark where I was in the journey. You can read my 9-year post from last year here.

Here are 10 lessons I’ve learned from 10 years of freelancing:

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10.21.20

How do you define success?

  • Posted By : Jenn Chen/
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  • Under : Personal

I’ve been watching “Emily in Paris” on Netflix and there was a line that stood out to me: “You live to work, we work to live,” a French person told Emily, his American colleague. Whether it’s success in your career or your life, we’re all influenced by where we grew up, our culture, and the influences of the people you surround yourself with. 

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02.12.20

Giving yourself some grace

  • Posted By : Jenn Chen/
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  • Under : Business, Marketing, Personal

I’ve been grappling with the idea of “grace” lately. And not the religious or spiritual kind. As you might know, I moved to a new place three weeks ago. Since moving here, I’ve already gone on two trips. But to me, it feels like I’ve been here forever and why haven’t I already organized everything and put decor on the walls? If it was any other person, I’d tell them to take their time but since it’s me, I feel like I’m lacking that same patience and grace. 

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About Jenn Chen

I'm a San Francisco-based writer & photographer. On the side, I munch on donuts & hang out with my dog Zoey.

You can reach me here or on Bluesky.

Life goal:
eat / drink coffee / write / travel
>>>> all in one.

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about

Jenn is a San Francisco-based writer & photographer. On the side, she munches on fun flavored chips & hangs out with her dog Zoey. You can reach her via the contact page or on social media @thejennchen.

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All photos were taken by Jenn Chen, unless otherwise noted, & under full copyright. Photos of me in red & orange were taken by Jessica Caisse. Do not use copy or photos without prior permission. Logos designed by Hannah Ellen.


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