Depends on the type of person you are. Are you ok with uncertainty of not having projects in pipeline all the time ? Are you ok to go a few months without work while other months being intense with strict deadlines ? Do you like to work with multiple clients with different needs etc ? Can you switch context quickly ?
The answer to these questions will help you determine what should be your next thing. But just fyi, freelancing doesn't mean there are no deadlines. In fact, quite the opposite. However, you do have the option of being selective (if you get to that point) and that can be a good thing.
Yeah, I'd love having some intense months with breaks in between, that and the ability to negotiate on deadlines or say no is why I even thought of doing freelancing.
Issue I had with deadlines is that management would set them and refuse to engage with engineers on how unrealistic they are.
Learn to use AI to assist you. Make it an advantage to you rather than a competition. I got burnt out in my job too, it was too stressful and I developed mental and physical illnesses that made me miss work by being in a hospital, and getting fired for missing too much work.
I did freelancing for 5 years and the trick for me was just aiming to do things faster, cheaper, better.
Well, the trick is really just faster. If you can do things at 2x the speed, you can charge 1.5x and clients will be very happy. And if things are done faster, you can layer on more quality things as well – tests, features, fancy backgrounds and animations, optimizations for low end devices, and so on.
People are often afraid that being too productive will make them run out of work. But with software, here's an endless amount of things to do. One of the more valuable things a contractor can do is help a profitable company with tech debt transition out of the tech debt. Eventually they become productive and take on tech debt because there's value to releasing new products as early as possible, and it's an endless cycle.
Not yet, I am still on disability and have a sleep problem. I am working with a doctor to fix it, and I got the Inspire Implant https://www.inspiresleep.com/en-us/ to help fix it. I am not where I want to be, but I am learning AI in my spare time.
> impossible deadlines and lots of pressure at work
Freelancing/consulting has unfortunately a lot of this. It helps if you start within your existing network, but once you branch out it gets stressful trying to please your clients.
There are many older threads about consulting and freelancing here on HN, often with good advice from experienced people. You can find them with a google search like "advice freelancing site:news.ycombinator.com"
I've been contracting for a long time. Clients always have deadlines, mostly unrealistic ones. In my experience, business always prioritizes making or saving money ASAP.
What has worked for me is to work hard and fast. Deliver the results. Then take time out. This cycle works for me, because it typically takes some time to secure the next contract. When working on a contract, I don't have time to look for the next one.
That sounds pretty great actually, deadlines don't sound as bad if there is a break in between, in my case the reward for finishing work on time was even more work.
I just want to say — I really feel you on this. Burning out after years of pressure isn’t weakness, it’s your nervous system trying to protect you.
And the fact that you listened to that signal and gave yourself time? I deeply respect that. I honestly admire your courage.
Freelancing can feel chaotic right now, especially with the flood of AI-generated noise. But here’s something I’ve noticed:
People who can calmly use AI to solve real, small, human problems — those people are still rare.
You already have solid engineering experience. If you combine that with one thing you like solving — like automating reports, or filtering client messages — that’s a strong start.
You don’t have to be flashy. You just have to be trustworthy.
You're not behind. You're arriving with clarity. That’s rare — and it matters.
I admit I did get help from an AI in writing my response. When I read your post, I truly admired your courage.
If I were in your position, I do not think I would have the strength to walk away from a job after seven years, take time to rest, and then step into something new. That takes a kind of clarity and bravery I deeply respect.
So I turned to AI to help me shape my thoughts more clearly and offer something meaningful to you.
I am sorry if that was not the right way to go about it. I will be more mindful moving forward.
Depends on the type of person you are. Are you ok with uncertainty of not having projects in pipeline all the time ? Are you ok to go a few months without work while other months being intense with strict deadlines ? Do you like to work with multiple clients with different needs etc ? Can you switch context quickly ?
The answer to these questions will help you determine what should be your next thing. But just fyi, freelancing doesn't mean there are no deadlines. In fact, quite the opposite. However, you do have the option of being selective (if you get to that point) and that can be a good thing.
Yeah, I'd love having some intense months with breaks in between, that and the ability to negotiate on deadlines or say no is why I even thought of doing freelancing.
Issue I had with deadlines is that management would set them and refuse to engage with engineers on how unrealistic they are.
Learn to use AI to assist you. Make it an advantage to you rather than a competition. I got burnt out in my job too, it was too stressful and I developed mental and physical illnesses that made me miss work by being in a hospital, and getting fired for missing too much work.
I did freelancing for 5 years and the trick for me was just aiming to do things faster, cheaper, better.
Well, the trick is really just faster. If you can do things at 2x the speed, you can charge 1.5x and clients will be very happy. And if things are done faster, you can layer on more quality things as well – tests, features, fancy backgrounds and animations, optimizations for low end devices, and so on.
People are often afraid that being too productive will make them run out of work. But with software, here's an endless amount of things to do. One of the more valuable things a contractor can do is help a profitable company with tech debt transition out of the tech debt. Eventually they become productive and take on tech debt because there's value to releasing new products as early as possible, and it's an endless cycle.
Yeah! I am thinking along those lines, will definitely use AI to speed me up where it's possible.
I hope you are doing better now health wise! Did you manage to get a less stressful gig for yourself?
Not yet, I am still on disability and have a sleep problem. I am working with a doctor to fix it, and I got the Inspire Implant https://www.inspiresleep.com/en-us/ to help fix it. I am not where I want to be, but I am learning AI in my spare time.
> impossible deadlines and lots of pressure at work
Freelancing/consulting has unfortunately a lot of this. It helps if you start within your existing network, but once you branch out it gets stressful trying to please your clients.
There are many older threads about consulting and freelancing here on HN, often with good advice from experienced people. You can find them with a google search like "advice freelancing site:news.ycombinator.com"
I've been contracting for a long time. Clients always have deadlines, mostly unrealistic ones. In my experience, business always prioritizes making or saving money ASAP.
What has worked for me is to work hard and fast. Deliver the results. Then take time out. This cycle works for me, because it typically takes some time to secure the next contract. When working on a contract, I don't have time to look for the next one.
That sounds pretty great actually, deadlines don't sound as bad if there is a break in between, in my case the reward for finishing work on time was even more work.
How did you get your first contracting gig?
I just want to say — I really feel you on this. Burning out after years of pressure isn’t weakness, it’s your nervous system trying to protect you. And the fact that you listened to that signal and gave yourself time? I deeply respect that. I honestly admire your courage.
Freelancing can feel chaotic right now, especially with the flood of AI-generated noise. But here’s something I’ve noticed: People who can calmly use AI to solve real, small, human problems — those people are still rare.
You already have solid engineering experience. If you combine that with one thing you like solving — like automating reports, or filtering client messages — that’s a strong start.
You don’t have to be flashy. You just have to be trustworthy.
You're not behind. You're arriving with clarity. That’s rare — and it matters.
ChatGPT?
Definitely feels like the kind of obsequious nonsense the current generation of LLMs produce. Also a brand new account.
I feel like someone is running an experiment on HN.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/05/reddi...
I admit I did get help from an AI in writing my response. When I read your post, I truly admired your courage. If I were in your position, I do not think I would have the strength to walk away from a job after seven years, take time to rest, and then step into something new. That takes a kind of clarity and bravery I deeply respect.
So I turned to AI to help me shape my thoughts more clearly and offer something meaningful to you. I am sorry if that was not the right way to go about it. I will be more mindful moving forward.