{
  "id": 9148504,
  "title": "I built a freelance career by saying yes. Now, I'm learning when not to.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/i-built-a-freelance-career-by-saying-yes-now-im-learning-when-not-to",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-22T13:07:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/built-career-by-saying-yes-changing-strategy-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After being laid off at just 27 years old, the author took the leap into freelancing. Over the years, she agreed to take on almost all work that came her way. At 39, the loss of a major client has made her question her approach. She believes she would not have had the confidence to become a freelancer if it wasn't for her previous layoff. In 2014, the author was 27, living in a studio on the Upper West Side with three frozen yogurt shops nearby. She had recently lost her job and was unsure if she could make it as a freelance writer, with her goal being to earn enough to pay rent and support herself without going broke. Despite some financial difficulties, she persevered for 12 years, working as a journalist, author, editor, writing teacher, and even a cheese consultant. She loves freelancing for the travel opportunities, meeting new people, and flexible scheduling. However, she has also found herself saying yes to work that doesn't align with her initial goals. Now 39, married with two young kids, she's reevaluating her priorities.",
  "summary": "After getting laid off at 27, I built my career by saying 'yes' to almost everything. At 39, I'm reevaluating that strategy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}