The Struggles of Juggling a Full-Time Job

How do others manage to accomplish their tasks while working full-time?

Yesterday was particularly difficult for me. To be honest, I’ve been grappling with this for a while now. Ironically, I find myself lacking the time to escape the cycle of my self-inflicted stress. Last night, I spent hours scrolling through job postings, feeling more anxious as the minutes ticked away. I went to bed hoping my grumpy old cat would grant me a peaceful night’s sleep, but instead, I dreamt of the lucrative serving position I left behind last July, picturing money slipping through my fingers.

This morning, instead of diving straight into my 365 Days of Writing challenge, I realized it had been ages since I last logged into Upwork. I browsed through numerous writing jobs, with pay ranging from $5 to $15. It’s hard to believe that there are requests for 2000-word articles at such low rates, but considering the pennies many of us earn on platforms like Medium, it hardly feels surprising.

Among the various listings for ghostwriting, German translation, and SEO marketing, one particular ad caught my eye:

Urgent | 3 Travel Articles | $250 per article

We require three 2500-word articles completed within 48 hours. The topics will focus on spending a certain number of hours in specific cities. Compensation is set at $250 per article, and we’ll provide examples and assist with research. Familiarity with ChatGPT is a must, as there’s a substantial amount of content to produce. Requirements include: - Ability to meet the 48-hour deadline - Fluent English speaker. The articles need not be overly formal; they should be brief and direct. There's potential for ongoing work at a similar rate. If this opportunity resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you!

A Little Backstory

While I’m not a fan of ChatGPT or AI tools for writing, I recognize that they have their place. In May 2023, I opened an Etsy store selling apparel for pet enthusiasts and donate 20% of my profits to rescue organizations. I did use ChatGPT to draft some listing descriptions, but I ended up rewriting everything to give it a more personal touch.

That said, I never considered utilizing AI for anything beyond my Etsy listings. However, when I came across that Upwork job, I thought, “Why not?” I mentioned in my application that I don’t depend on ChatGPT and prefer to maintain a genuine voice. I attached an article I believed would best showcase my writing for the travel niche and submitted my proposal.

Reflections on Opportunity

What is the right age to start anew? Where do you envision growing old?

Honestly, I didn’t expect a response. My experience is limited, and I had no completed projects on Upwork. Yet, I found myself hopeful that this job could lead to a long-term opportunity, enabling me to support myself as a writer.

In the ten minutes after submitting my application, I imagined becoming a work-from-home foster mom for animals in need. I pictured spending quality time with my senior cat instead of leaving home early and returning after dark. I envisioned potential adventures stemming from this job—traveling to hidden gems, pet-friendly hotels, and charming coffee shops worth exploring.

But soon, skepticism crept in.

The Response

“Hello! Thank you for applying for the position! I reviewed your work, and I believe you would be a great fit! Initially, you would need to complete the three articles outlined in the job description. Currently, we prioritize candidates who own the GPTGuru Masterclass, as it provides valuable insights into leveraging ChatGPT. If you possess it, please send a screenshot so we can proceed with scheduling a meeting to start our collaboration! If not, you can find it online if you're interested. Can you begin tomorrow at the latest? We require the articles ASAP.”

Here’s the reality: $250 for a 2500-word article that includes research should not seem too good to be true, yet it often does. This reinforces my belief that some individuals exploit the vulnerabilities of aspiring writers, hoping to hire them for a pittance.

Final Thoughts

Feeling a bit down? That’s perfectly okay! I’m allowing myself this moment of vulnerability. I stepped outside my comfort zone, attempting to break into the world of compensated writing. In return, I was confronted with a clever, albeit disheartening, scam.

But that’s life.

You cannot give up.

You have to keep pushing forward.

Day 30… Onward!

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