The Truth About Being Your Own Boss: Pros, Cons & What No One Tells You

Hey there! 👋

If you’ve ever sat at your desk on a Monday morning wondering what it would be like to quit your job and finally work for yourself… you’re not alone. Especially with the way the world has shifted over the past few years, more and more of us are dreaming about flexible schedules, creative freedom, and building something of our own.

But let’s be real for a second—working for yourself isn’t just cozy coffee shop days and posting aesthetic pics on Instagram. There are some tough parts too, and I know because I’ve been doing this full-time for almost five years now.

In today’s post (and video below!), I want to have an honest conversation about the pros and cons of being your own boss. Whether you’re thinking about starting a blog, becoming a content creator, launching a small biz, or just feeling curious about what life on the other side of the 9–5 looks like, this post is for you.

Let’s dive in.

So… Who Am I to Talk About This?

Hi! If you’re new here, my name is Flor. I’m a content creator based in New York City (by way of Argentina 🇦🇷) and I create digital content for YouTube, Instagram, my blog, and other platforms. I write, film, edit, shoot, post, and do pretty much everything myself. No assistant, no manager—just me, my laptop, my camera, and a whole lot of iced coffee.

On any given day, I might be filming a YouTube video, taking photos, editing content, writing blog posts, answering emails, planning upcoming collaborations, organizing my content calendar, or invoicing clients. It’s a lot—but I love it.

And if you’re wondering what it’s really like to work for yourself, here’s my take:

Watch the Video

I break down all the pros and cons in this YouTube video too, so if you’re more of a visual learner or you just want to hear me chat it out, hit play below! 🎥💻

(And if you like this type of content, don’t forget to subscribe, give it a thumbs up, and let me know in the comments what your dream job looks like!)

The Downsides of Working for Yourself (aka The Honest Part)

Let’s start with the cons—because I’m a “bad news first” kind of person.

1. If You Don’t Do It, It Doesn’t Get Done

This one’s obvious, but it’s huge. When you work for yourself, there’s no backup. No manager. No assistant. No “calling in sick” and having someone else cover your shift. If you’re not feeling well or you’re having a bad day… it doesn’t matter. The work still needs to get done.

Especially in the early stages, you are the business. You are customer service, the creative team, the marketing department, the accountant, and the CEO. It’s a lot of hats—and some days, it’s really overwhelming.

2. Work Doesn’t End at 5PM on Friday

There’s no “weekend” when your to-do list is always chasing you. Whether it’s emails, client deadlines, a video that needs to go up, or just that nagging feeling that you should be doing more—it’s hard to ever fully clock out.

When you’re passionate about what you do, this can be exciting. But it can also lead to burnout if you’re not careful. I’ve learned (the hard way) that boundaries are essential.

The Perks of Being Your Own Boss (aka Why I Wouldn’t Trade It)

Now let’s get to the good part. Because even though it’s not always easy, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

1. Total Freedom Over Your Time & Schedule

I get to choose when and how I work. Want to take Wednesday off and go to a museum? I can. Need to schedule a doctor’s appointment in the middle of the day? No problem. Want to work from a coffee shop, my couch, or even a plane? Done.

For someone who thrives on flexibility (hi, it’s me), this is a dream.

2. You Get to Do What You

Love

When you’re building your own brand or business, you get to create something around your passions. I get to write, film, and talk about the things I genuinely love—fashion, books, travel, skincare, NYC life, and more.

Instead of fitting into someone else’s job description, I’ve created my own—and it feels so good to wake up excited about the work I’m doing.

Thinking of Taking the Leap?

If you’re considering starting your own thing—whether it’s a side hustle, a content channel, or a full-blown business—here’s my biggest advice: start small, but start now.

You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow. But you can carve out time each week to create, build, experiment, and test the waters. That’s how I started. And little by little, it turned into a full-time thing.

If you need some help getting started, I’ve done other videos that might help:

Final Thoughts

Working for yourself is not the easy path. It requires discipline, patience, and the ability to keep going when things feel uncertain. But it also offers freedom, creativity, and a sense of ownership that’s incredibly fulfilling.

If you’re thinking about it, dreaming about it, or already doing it—I see you. And I hope this post (and video!) gives you some clarity and encouragement to keep going.

Let me know in the comments:

✨ What’s the biggest pro or con you’ve experienced working for yourself?

✨ Are you dreaming of starting your own thing? What’s holding you back?

Thanks for reading, watching, and being here.

I’ll see you next time 💛

Flor – @flopereira