Embracing Change: My Journey from Housebound Freelancer to Print Shop Creative
Well, here’s something I never thought I’d say: I actually left the house. After nearly five years of working from home, freelancing for agencies scattered across the internet, I finally packed up my laptop, got in my car, and stepped into a “normal” job outside of my four walls. If you know me, you know how huge this is—I’d basically turned my home into my entire universe.
Shaking Off the Old Routine
Before this, I was stuck in a loop of anxiety and isolation. I could never really switch off after work, always feeling underqualified and unmotivated. I barely took care of myself. Heck, I hardly ever put gas in my car. Why bother, right? Everything I needed was online.
But now? I’m driving to work every day. I’m re-learning how great a solid routine can feel. I’m standing face-to-face with people instead of emails and Slack messages. Suddenly, the world doesn’t seem so intimidating. It’s weirdly refreshing.
A New Role, A New Perspective
My new job at On Target Printing in New Castle, PA has introduced me to a whole new side of creativity. I’ve always been into graphic design, motion graphics, and digital art, but print and paper? That was a mystery. Learning how to run print jobs, work with CorelDRAW (instead of my old pals Canva and Procreate), and seeing ideas come to life on real, tangible materials has flipped the script on what I thought “design” meant.
It’s like tapping into a creative world I’d always been curious about but never fully understood. Now, I’m soaking it all in—learning from seasoned pros, seeing firsthand how concepts move from screen to sheet. I’m gaining the kind of hands-on experience I never got when I was working strictly online.
Rediscovering the Human Connection
To be honest, I was scared of this shift. People? Face-to-face conversations? A regular schedule? For someone who shut themselves in for years, that sounded terrifying. But I’m realizing how great human interaction can be. My co-workers are patient, knowledgeable, and—get this—actually appreciate what I do. It’s amazing how being part of a team changes the way I feel about work.
Before, it was all about meeting deadlines for faceless clients. Now, it’s about collaborating, learning, and watching my skills grow in real-time. I’m not just another freelancer; I’m a valued member of a crew.
Looking Ahead to Bigger Things
And this is just the start. After the holidays, I’m beginning geoscience classes at SNHU. Balancing work and study sounds challenging, but I’m excited. This stable gig at the print shop gives me the freedom to pursue my education without stressing over my next freelance contract. It feels like everything’s coming together in a way that I never thought possible.
It’s a reminder that you can reinvent yourself at any time. I was anxious, burnt out, and scared of the world—but stepping outside my comfort zone proved to be the best thing I could’ve done.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re curious about this amazing place I’m working at—where creativity and community come together—check out On Target Printing in New Castle for all your print needs. Whether you’re looking for business cards, banners, or something totally custom, they’ve got you covered.
And if you need some digital oomph behind your brand—like serious SEO that gets you found online—reach out to me for my SEO services. Let’s take your online presence to the next level and make sure people know exactly where to find you, no matter if they’re searching locally or globally.
