I’ve been designing for 20 years and freelancing for the last eight. Long enough to ride a few waves, make a few mistakes, and nearly pack it all in once or twice. Like many, I came into freelancing with creative ambition. But over time, that ambition widened. It now includes space, health, time, and a version of success that isn’t just measured in income, but enabled by it.

There’s no shortage of freelance advice out there. Much of it’s helpful if your goal is to grow fast, scale hard, or brand yourself like a start-up. But not all advice travels well. Some of it doesn't quite land when you’re invoicing in pounds, navigating IR35, or just trying to do meaningful work without losing your weekends.

UK freelance life has its quirks - cultural, legal, and yes, sometimes a bit more hesitant about ambition. But with the right lens, it’s a useful context.

Mildly Independent is where I share what I’ve learned and what I wish I’d known sooner. It’s for designers who still want to aim high, but who also want to sleep well. With clarity. With balance. And with the kettle always on.