Goodbye 2023.
I’m not sorry to see you go. More thoroughly indifferent. Your shape will blur quicker in the rear vision mirror. You feel like an Appendix to a weighty document picked up in 2019. A chapter that gave nothing much other than some heavy notes on learning things the hard way. Of growing up and growing pains.
“Now you’re just somebody that I used to know…”
Instead of giving you December’s hard earned real estate, I’m going to turn this newsletter over to the freelancers so that people will love them as much as I do.
And that goes a little something like this:
The Freelance Jungle Patreon supporters wrap up 2023 and share their predictions for 2024.
Give yourself a 2024 filled with self-care with this unconventional freelance gift guide.
LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS
Get your herbs, spices and all things nice(s?) from the Bent Shed (I recommend the gift packs!)
Give the kids the gift of a good read from Australia’s loveliest kid lit author, Andrea Rowe with In the Rockpool and Sunday Skating.
Cassy Polimeni released her debut picture book, a factual fairytale about the Global Seed Vault. Available: http://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/5bevxD
Stunning jewellery awaits from Aleksandra Reszelska and Yasashi
Elena Kelly presents the most darling Christmas earrings, available at her shop www.bashfuldesigns.com.au
Claire Suzy Stannard crafts bronze and crystal jewellery, sun catchers inspired by Elements, Alchemy, and Paganism. Explore: https://wyldling.com.au/
Amy McKernan is anything but a catastrophe with her soothing Trainwreck Tea.
Give yourself the gift of self-care this festive season with Holly Shoebridge’s 21 Day meditation, breath and holistic health program.
Hit the Freelance Jungle Red Bubble store for all your freelancer friend fabulousness.
THE FREELANCE TOOLS YOU NEED
Plan yourself a damn good 2024 with the Freelance Jungle planner.
Miranda Mayle, a Melbourne-based personal brand photographer, captures your story in 90 minutes, providing all photos. Check www.mirandamayle.com.au
Grab your free guide on the six things you need to know about writing grants, now.
Show the clients that quibble that your rates are worth it with the Rachel’s List payrate report.
And if I may be so bold – grab a Patreon subscription to the Freelance Jungle.
LEARN FREELANCE STUFF
Martina Donkers is the freelancer to go to for grant writing advice. Add another string to your writing bow or strengthen an existing one with her amazing course on grant writing for freelance writers.
Lisa Fix announces Reflect & Reset 1:1 sessions in Dec-Jan, guiding you to reflect, set intentions. Visit https://www.lisafoxcoaching.com.au/reflectandreset
Maria Doyle is offering to teach you online learning strategies 101 -– use code OLS101 for a massive $400 discount.
Write the damn book with the Bold Authors and our very own Anna Featherstone.
It’s the LAST TIME to hire me at the current coaching rate of $149 – book in now.
READING AND LISTENING
Say goodbye to Ginger Gorman’s Seriously Social Podcast after 200K downloads.
Read about creativity, the outdoors and more with Patrick Boxall
Cassy Polimeni shares a year-end exhaustion in her newsletter. Can you feel it, too?
Anfernee Chansamooth offers self-reflection and business design tips.
CREATIVITY BY THE BUCKET
Enjoy new art music compositions and score imagery by Barton Price in Sydney December 18th.
Grab a spoonful of music from the Tough Grooves.
Andrew F Peirce interviews Aussie indie filmmaker Heath Davis on his acclaimed film Christmess, currently in Australian cinemas.
Joel Strickland’s aerial showreel is sweet.
There’s a whole damn directory of freelancers you can hire directly (no fees, no fluffing about) via the Freelance Jungle Directory.
Goodbye 2023 in earnest
The main Freelance Jungle group will be taking a break between December 20th 2023 and January 8th. But I want to say that even if I haven’t replied to emails and comments, it’s not because I didn’t love getting them. Sometimes, I have bobbed and floated in ways I never expected in this weird AF year.
I love hearing from you.
I love hearing what you are up to.
I love the way you make me accountable to myself.
And I really do love each and everyone of you.
Until January, be kind to you this festive season and remember, you’ll always have a place in the Freelance Jungle (website, too).
Love and other gooey feelings that make my eyes happily leak,
Rebekah
Image: a Windang pelican says “see ya, 2023. You absolute pelican”. See the group for the context (or don’t)
Thank you for featuring Trainwreck Bek!! And thank you for making this weird AF year even weirder but only in the absolute best of ways!!!! <3
So it took me a few days to get to this read. I love the list of recommendations - and thank you for popping Bent Shed Produce on it (even tho' I've now closed the shop for Xmas, cos I'm away).
I've had it easier than most, maybe, although 6 months between livable income makes things pretty stressful, but I absolutely feel the oddity of 2023 and the sigh of relief at its end.
2024 marks, for me, a return to permanent full-time employment for a bit, instead of the contracting (and occasional true freelancing) income of the last 8 years. I feel a bit guilty at returning to what, in my head, is the "easier" option - except conversely I also know it's not, and that I'm going to have to work a little harder - or maybe differently - in the new environment. At least there should still be flexibility so I don't have to commute daily after an initial few weeks of settling in.
I need to follow up all those links to find someone - or something - that will kill that ridiculous guilt (income is income; how we get it is entirely personal and irrelevant!), and allow me ways to balance my side-hustle (and accept it's a side-hustle, not a full-time business, at least for the moment) AND allow myself to relax occasionally without falling into "oughts".
Thank you for your words and for the Jungle. I might not be technically a Minkie (ie more an aspirational freelancer than an actual one), but the people in the group fit my mindset and outlook on life so much better than any other group I've ever been a part of, and have given me ways to smooth my jangly brain into pulling roughly in the same direction, so I'll just kill my guilt at belonging and ... belong. :)