Why Freelancers Need To Get Out of the House

If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or just plain low — this is your sign to get out of the house. Seriously.

When you’re freelance, the silence can get loud. Like REALLY loud.
The to-do list feels never-ending.
And when the client work slows down — even just a little — the doubts start creeping in. We’ve all been there. You are totally NOT alone if you’re feeling this. I hear it every week from some very experienced people in the interiors industry, and that’s exactly why I’m sharing this post today.

Over the last few weeks, every time I speak to other interior stylists and writers, I hear the same thing:
“It’s been really quiet this year. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Maybe I’m too old… my style’s too modern… my style’s too traditional… I’m a busy mum now…”-*
*Insert whatever you’re telling yourself here.

But I’m here to tell you — whoever I talk to right now, no matter what industry they’re in — they’re saying the same thing. Interior designers, PRs, friends in finance, shop owners, restauranteurs… everyone’s feeling the pinch.

So if it’s been quiet for you, it’s not just you. It’s the climate we’re in. And it’s not about your age, your style, or whether you’re juggling work and kids. Here’s what’s really going on:

Why It’s Quiet — and Why It’s Not Your Fault

1. The Current Financial Climate
Clients are being cautious. Budgets are tighter — especially for editorial and lifestyle shoots, which often get cut first when money’s tight. Marketing budgets are shrinking, and that’s hitting stylists, writers, and photographers directly. Even magazines are commissioning fewer shoots.

2. Global Uncertainty
Between trade talks, elections, and general market wobbles, there’s a lot of hesitation. Brands are holding back on product launches — which means fewer campaigns and fewer calls for freelancers.

3. AI Disruption
Yes, it’s here. AI tools are being used for everything from copywriting to creating interior mock-ups. Some clients are testing these tools to save money — sometimes instead of hiring real creatives. But here’s the thing: AI can’t replace experience, intuition, connection or the magic we bring to a shoot. It just means we need to make our value clearer than ever.

4. Freelancer Burnout
And let’s be honest — some of us have pulled back too. After years of uncertainty, many are reevaluating how they work and what they want from their careers. It’s not a weakness. It’s a reset. And it’s happening across the board.

What I Do When I Feel Stuck

I’m in a slightly unusual position — I’m an interior stylist and I run Inside Stylists, so people often come to me for insight. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: when the quiet weeks start turning into quiet months, I take action.

And it starts with one small thing: I get out the house.

It began with a lunch date with an interior designer friend — one of those three-hour conversations where you cover everything from press events to pricing dilemmas and wonder if the traffic warden has been yet. Then came the Chelsea Flower Show. Colour. Creativity. Conversations. Then the Bisley press launch. And somewhere in between — real, honest chats with brilliant creatives. And a few with friends who couldn’t care less about interiors (and rightly told me off for interviewing stand holders when we were just supposed to be shopping! Sorry, little sister!).

And somewhere in all that — something clicked.

Inspiration doesn’t always come when you’re stuck behind your screen.
Sometimes it shows up in conversation, in the way someone styled a shelf, or the way they just get stuff done.

As one stylist said to me recently over coffee:
“The best ideas come when you’re not even trying. You just need to give them room to land.”

I talked through a project that had been on my mind for weeks. I couldn’t get it clear — but in explaining it out loud, a friend suggested a tweak that wouldn’t work exactly, but triggered a whole new idea that pulled everything together. The block was gone.

We need those sparks.

Another friend messaged me after a quick catch-up to say:
“A few things finally clicked after our chat.”

That’s the magic of real connection. You never know who you’re going to help or who’s going to help you and all you were there for was coffee!

Three Gentle Ways Forward (if you’re stuck too)

• Get out the house

  Even if it’s just for a walk. A change of scene. A coffee with a notebook. Being inside too long can kill inspiration and encourage comparisonitis.

• Go see something inspiring.

  A gallery. A showroom. A good library section on interiors or design. Even just a beautiful shop window or a well-designed cafe. Let something catch your eye.

• Book lunch with someone who gets it.

  Someone who works in the same world — who understands the creative chaos and the highs and lows. You’ll be amazed how much lighter everything feels afterwards.

Because the real magic? It’s not in the hustle. It’s not in the inbox. It’s in real conversations. Real inspiration. Real connection.

And it’s not just me saying it.

Dale Carnegie put it perfectly:
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

And a final thought from a stylist I bumped into last week:
“Sometimes it’s not about finding new ideas. It’s about reconnecting with why you had them in the first place.”

So yes, get out the house.
Stretch your eyes. Open your mind. Let something unexpected surprise you.

You’ll be amazed at what unlocks when you do.

See you next week. And until then — go get inspired.

If this post resonated with you, share it with a fellow freelancer who might need the reminder. And don’t forget to sign up to the Inside Stylists newsletter for more honest, real-talk content for stylists, writers, and creatives working behind the scenes in interiors.