Embracing Change: A Journey from Freelance UX Design to Real-World Connection
After years of thriving as a freelance UX designer, I’ve reached a point of frustration where I need to make a significant shift in my career. My freelance work, which once brought me a comfortable income through a few well-paid projects each year, has now become an experience less about creativity and more about navigating the chaos of ever-evolving technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence and aggressive marketing strategies.
Reflecting on my journey, I can pinpoint a loss of passion that gradually crept in. It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact moment it began, but I started to feel overwhelmed and disheartened by the current state of the industry. The excitement of working on creative projects has been overshadowed by an environment that often feels unwelcoming, where my contributions seem to be sidelined and ultimately buried in backend systems I never revisit.
When I embarked on my UX journey, my primary motivation was to engage with users and address their pain points through thoughtful design. However, my recent experiences feel like the opposite. I’m often confronted with vague requests, such as “please fix our sales drop, even though we completely mishandled our product launch.” This lack of genuine analysis can be disconnecting and frustrating, leaving me feeling isolated in my work—especially as a freelancer in a digital landscape that increasingly prioritizes automation over human interaction.
Perhaps I haven’t found the perfect niche or clientele that ignites my enthusiasm, but my fervor for embracing new projects and trends has waned. To remedy this, I’ve made an exciting decision: I’ve signed a contract to operate a small snack bar, reigniting my aspiration to connect with real people in a tangible, everyday setting. With previous experience in catering, I feel prepared to embrace this venture and restore the human element in my career that’s been missing for far too long.
Spending countless hours in front of screens is not conducive to well-being, and I crave the authenticity of face-to-face interactions. This upcoming venture promises to bring back the joy of working directly with a community, fostering connections that have felt distant in my digital freelance life.
As I embark on this new chapter, I appreciate any well wishes and encouragement from those of you navigating the complexities of our rapidly changing world. May we all find fulfillment and purpose in our endeavors, whatever they may be!
Till next time!
