From the outside, my career as a freelance storyteller may look like the easiest job on the planet. No boss or ceiling holding me back, just me against myself. Working several careers in my early twenties made it clear that I needed a path with more creative freedom. I have always had a passion for photography, and it quickly sparked a fire in me to pursue work that allows me to help others tell their stories. However, that freedom comes with a price. Progress is not always something we can see, nor is the work that it takes to get to where we want to be. And in a world that measures credibility by experience, being young can feel like starting a few steps behind.

For young business owners and freelancers, real support matters more than most people realize. We often take the easy route without knowing - Not like our society has made it simple to default to what’s convenient. But if we want to see people build something of their own, especially at a young age, that mindset has to shift. That shift can start with the people closest to us. Supporting someone's hustle is not about taking advantage of a connection. We all still have to make a living somehow. Having a connection to someone does not make their work any less valuable, but it’s often treated that way. And with a path that is continuing to get unnecessarily steep, it is time to actually support the underdog.

The “I just worked harder when I was your age” mentality needs to end. The goal here is not to present information for sympathy, but to spread awareness through what we are currently experiencing. Houses cost five times what they used to, and the average income isn’t enough to afford a home. Even if we work harder, the system has changed. And it’s not just big purchases, even groceries and gas have folks living check to check. At a certain point, this has to stop being about the work ethic. This is NOT a motivation gap; this is an affordability gap.

My perspective as someone in the middle of it all - is that we are headed in the wrong direction. And if there's one thing I have learned in the last 10 years of freelancing; a rising tide lifts all ships. For us young business owners, we are challenged with simply staying afloat while trying to grow something long term. This has created a unique position where progress doesn’t just depend on skill or effort, but on how long you can withstand uncertainty without giving up. For many in my generation, the goal isn't just to succeed, it is to survive long enough to get the chance to prove ourselves. When we start to choose support over convenience, the outcome might just point us back in the right direction.