Reading · Staying Curious – Erica Zazo

In my 5th year of full-time freelancing, I can confidently say: “I’ve made it.”

I make decent money now. I have a Rolodex of stories from amazing press trips. I have landed bylines in A-tier publications. I consider my editors friends. I’m assigned stories without needing to pitch my own. I can flip through mags and see my name in print. The list goes on…

But… what I really mean when I say, “I’ve made it,” is that I can now truly enjoy the freedom of freelance.

AJ and I soaking in our last morning at the pool in Mexico, on a little vacation I took recently with my wife and daughter. Take me backkk 😭

Freedom as a freelancer – for me – takes many forms:

Being able to spend mornings with my daughter watching Winnie the Pooh while I sip coffee in my rocking chair.
Running up to the grocery store at 1PM on a Weds to get dinner supplies.
Taking a bike ride or a walk in the middle of the afternoon without the pressure of clocking back in at my desk at a certain time.
Working at my favorite coffee shop for the day without needing to ask my boss if that’s okay.
Booking a mid-week camping trip to test gear I’m reviewing — and getting to call it “work.”
Writing this silly little Substack post instead of working on an assignment because, hey, I make my own schedule.

Trust me. I’ve put the hours, hustle, and hard work in to build this life. It’s not been easy, but it’s been rewarding. I am very proud of myself for carefully crafting a lifestyle that suits my needs (and my family’s needs).

I often get emails or DMs from folks who want a similar freelance career as I’ve built over the last decade plus. And I [always] say yes to jumping on a call to help them figure out how to best make the leap into this career path.

What I’ve learned most in my time as a freelancer is that the best route to success in freelancing is meeting the folks who will help you along the way. And it’s extending a helping hand to others, too. Peers of mine are not competition — they’re community. And by learning from those who’ve helped me, I’m now helping others. It’s the only way.

Heading out to a city trail with my family – photo from my last of three Urban Adventure blog series articles in partnership with Osprey.

Outside: The City Dweller’s Guide to Gorpy Gear for Surviving Bitter Winters
Backpacker: Your Best Hiking Year Yet: Level Up With These 12 Seasonal Objectives
Osprey Blog: Finding Joy in the Adventure of Parenthood

It’s been SO cold in Chicago that most days look like this in our living room. Going a little stir-crazy, but spending time indoors relaxing has its perks, too.

A very happy AJ enjoying the balcony on our little vacation to Mexico this January. We usually don’t do all-inclusive trips, so this was a treat!

Bundled up in our matching winter coats on a very chilly hike in New Brunswick. Our first international trip with AJ was a success. (We might stick to warm-weather adventures for a while, though. We’re sick of the cold, lol.)

Japan — Wow wow wow I’m so excited to be going to Hokkaido, Japan at the end of February for some winter adventure. Truly, a trip of a lifetime. I’ll be exploring Japan’s northern island to eat sushi, drink sake, and get quite a bit of snowshoeing in. Stay tuned.

Camping — It’s (almost) camping season. We’re booked for trips in early May, late June, and will probably take our first dispersed camping trip with the baby on a whim (bc freelance freedom, amirite?!). I’ll be testing baby and family-focused comfort camping gear a ton this season, so HMU if you have recommendations in that category.

🎵 I am one of those people who always have music on in the background while I’m working and/or writing. This musician on YouTube has been a game-changer for deep focus work and relaxing while working.

🥘 I’m SO behind on this but the New York Times cooking app has changed my life. Do you all have it?! If not, you should.

Thanks for reading ✌️

Your pal, Erica ✨

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The Freedom of Freelance

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