10/08/2022
Change and adapt but never give up on your dreams and passions.
**Why I chose to become a freelance designer and web developer**
It was 5 years ago, I had moved to Madrid leaving behind my familiar life and career as a fashion designer in India to join my husband.
Madrid was awesome, this was my first time living abroad.
But a voice inside kept asking me, How long? How long do I go on without a job?
I was not in want of anything but after the first few months I felt a void inside me. What about design? What about my creative side?
I started looking for a job in the fashion industry. But my Spanish was not good enough, I didn't know the right people, there was no tribe of friends and seniors who helped you out and looked out for you. I was in in another country altogether and I was an outsider.
So I thought; "let me try to sell my own designs". I soon realized I couldn't get far without a website.
My dad said "You are a millennial, you can make your own website".
So I made my own website and everything worked out perfectly.
Except it didn't. It was a disaster, I could not even finish it. I know! Duhhh! So much for trying!!
I was so angry at myself. It was so easy in the YouTube tutorials, why couldn't I do it.
After the initial frustration I tried to look at the lessons leant.
1. Web design was a form of design (although way more technical than I had imagined) and a part of me enjoyed it.
2. It's best not to try to DIY your own website, better leave it to the professionals with experience.
3. It was something that could be done from my laptop. It could give me the freedom to work from wherever I wanted and I could be my own boss.
4. I could help others like me who had ideas for business but didn't know how to start.
So I went on to do a masters in Web Design and development from CICE, one of the leading institutions here in Madrid.
And despite all the challenges and frustrations deciding to be a freelance web designer has been the best decision I have made in a long time.
Now
I have Freedom.
I am my own boss.
I kept my passion for creativity and design alive, found a new channel.
I work the hours I want, sometimes odd but I do it happily.
I am my ow