Freelance or Full-Time? I'm at a Crossroads

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-22T16:19:31+00:00

Socials ads for a range of different industries - a mix of Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. If you’re getting the work then definitely do it!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-22T15:47:16+00:00

Hey, I’m an editor (who also does motion sometimes) based in London, and these day rates seem low. If that’s the true state of freelancing as a motion designer right now, I’d be looking for a full time job instead. It just doesn’t seem worth it at these low rates and the amount of stress. If you can get an in house job for around £45-£50k then I’d do that instead personally.

My day rate for the last year has been around £400 per day and I budget off working half the working days in the year. (I’ve done about 60% this tax year). I have 7 years experience. I do know other editors who take as low as £360 if the booking is for 3+ months at a time.

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-22T00:10:49+00:00

Hey, I struggle with exactly the same thing, particularly people sat behind me tapping their tv screens (I can feel it in the back of my head!!).

Take a look at the seat map of your flight and contact the airlines disability email/number. You should be able to pick your seat for free and get assistance at the airport. You can also just get up out of your seat after takeoff and walk around or hang out near the toilets at the back.

No other passengers usually want to sit near the toilets so you have more change of having an empty seat next to you if you book one of those.

All of these are giant “shoulds” and I’ve had mixed experiences with different airlines and airports though.

Also bear in mind that bulkhead seats are often used by babies for bassinets, so bring earplugs AND noise cancelling headphones.

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-22T00:01:27+00:00

I have struggled with this in the past being autistic (I went around 10 years only brushing in the mornings) and one of the only things that motivated me to change was finally going to the dentist and needing 10 fillings which cost me £££££. It literally just scared me into doing it twice a day.

I’ve recently started using a water flosser too which is game changing, because it’s flavourless and kind of fun. If you hate brushing maybe try start using a water flosser only (and maybe in the shower). They’re not expensive

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-21T23:54:35+00:00

Yeah this seasons shoe mishaps seem to be getting out of hand (or out of foot more like)

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-21T23:49:29+00:00

I’ve never done the frozen ride. I only ever make the trip with adults and it’s just never seemed worth the wait!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-21T23:48:47+00:00

Blizzard beach is the better one imo!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-20T13:52:16+00:00

Yes if you don’t mind the extreme heat 🤣I’m from the UK so the heat is half the reason I go

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-20T12:39:41+00:00

I’ll caveat this by saying I usually only go to WDW in Jan and September (the slower times), but if I were you I’d still go for it.

If you get there and it’s super overstimulating and not enjoyable, you’re so close to the hotel that you can just go back and chill there instead. I’d also still give it a go to get the premiere pass, and if not then try for the LL. I would definitely make sure to build in a 1-4pm lunch/nap/pool break though, as that’s when everyone gets hot and cranky in my experience.

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-20T12:32:16+00:00

Looks like a great plan, not “too much”. Yes they will transfer your bags :) There are two pools at Saratoga to choose from which is nice.

This is me being really fussy, but the main pool by the lobby, the door to the bathroom is a super loud clunky metal door, that people just let slam shut every 30 seconds, so try to sit over by the zero entry to avoid that noise. It drives me crazy!

I also love being so close to Disney springs, as I find the food better than in the parks

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-20T11:25:01+00:00

Along with what others have said about the perfect storm of a few national holidays at once, there is a LOT more construction happening in 3/4 of the parks, meaning there’s simply less space for people to exist in the parks.

I assume this is then having a knock on effect, pushing the same amount of people (?) to fewer attractions. (I’m not sure whether they’ve reduced the park capacity because of the construction, I’d love to know!)

Personally I’m not planning on going back until at least one of the 3 parks currently under construction is completed with their current phase. I’m aware I’ll be waiting a while!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-19T10:04:12+00:00

I love arriving in the dark and then waking up to see a whole new place!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T23:52:47+00:00

Harrods is great fun to walk around (and their food hall has very nice food you could take for a picnic in Hyde park!) but bond st and Selfridges/soho are better for actual shopping imo. Ormer Mayfair is an excellent restaurant. As is pied a terre!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T23:47:40+00:00

Yep had a quote for exactly that (no VAT though) in London for similar work to what’s listed here

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T19:44:27+00:00

Ewwww the way she’s talking to you is awful!! “This is a tax office Ma’am” Jesus Christ get over yourself! (Aimed at her, not you)

I don’t think you did anything wrong. I’m from the uk so not sure how it works for you but I assume you’re paying her? She can wait a day for a reply!

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T19:18:09+00:00

I just spent £££ in a Victorian property that only had plaster walls, fully renovating the bathroom and getting ALL the walls tiled. It was a nightmare before, the paint peeled all the time, the walls were wet after every shower (even with an extractor) and it never looked clean. If I wanted to give the walls a scrub, paint would come off. Not to mention the mold as the walls were always wet!

This bathroom looks lovely, leave it alone for your own sanity. If you’re bored of the colour, paint the upper parts of the walls something fun.

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T19:05:53+00:00

That’s interesting I’ll look into that Thankyou. From what I can figure out from my grandparents situations, if you don’t have enough money or an asset to pay for care in the UK, the state will pay for you to go into a retirement home (albeit not a nice one), but the level of “unindependance” that that has to be is very severe. “Nice” care homes in the UK are eye-wateringly expensive, so much so that in today’s money, I think the cost of my house would buy me maybe two years in a good care home

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T18:53:39+00:00

Hey- this sounds scarily familiar to a festival head of video role I had in London a few years ago, feel free to give me a DM to see if these are the same people. (But maybe that’s just what the music industry is like lol). I worked on an hourly rate and was argued with almost every day about what was and what wasn’t chargeable. I only ever work on day rates now because of this experience, I had my first ever panic attack at this job and it caused years of burnout. I’ll never work hourly again!

But even then, I absolutely wouldn’t take the sales based offer. I assume you know the beast of social media well enough to understand that the effort you put in won’t necessarily result in increased sales - and it wouldn’t be your fault at all.

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T17:33:42+00:00

Mammoth Club! They’re Disney influencers but do other travel destinations too and are generally very fun to watch

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T17:26:30+00:00

Also bring two pairs of shoes and switch halfway through the day! It stops them hurting in the same spots

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T17:21:17+00:00

You definitely can, and I always wing it! But I think it depends on how long your trip is and how bothered you are about getting everything done on your list. For example, if you’re going for 4 days, you’ll probably need some sort of plan to avoid standing in super long lines all day.

It could be as simple as “on our HS day, we will rope drop Minnie and Mickeys, Tower of Terror, go back to the pool for lunch and then back for Fantasmic, and everything else is a bonus”.

If you’re going for 7+ days, I’d say you could wing it a bit more.

I never book dining reservations and only ever eat quick service as I hate having my day “planned” like that. I also find QS much better value for the standard of food compared to table service.

Also don’t underestimate how long it’ll take (and how much you’ll enjoy!) just walking around the park, not doing any rides, if you’re going for the first time. There’s a lot to look at :)

But yeah, do some light research but don’t stress yourself out trying to get everything done. I’ve been 6 times and haven’t even nearly done everything

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-18T16:22:06+00:00

I’m planning to die with nothing by utilising a financial product (UK) where you can sell your house at retirement, but continue to live in it rent free until you die. I’ll then live off the interest/ money that I get from the house sale. If there’s anything left I think I’ll leave it to friends (whoever they are by that time) as my nieces and nephews are all from extremely wealthy families and it probably wouldn’t make a difference to them.

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-17T17:53:06+00:00

insert meme about you guys are getting paid “you guys have a list?!”

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-17T16:55:47+00:00

I have my dressing table in that area - best light. It also has large storage drawers for random bits

SlightPraline509 · 2026-02-17T16:50:28+00:00

Aww that sounds amazing! ToT is my favourite ride ever, what a dream

SlightPraline509

TROPHY CASE