One Year at CDM: What I’ve Learned as a Marketing Consultant at CDonaldson Marketing

A year ago, I made a decision that felt equal parts exciting and uncomfortable: I went freelance.

At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what it would look like long term. I just knew I needed something different. I wanted more control, more variety, and honestly, a way out of the cycle I’d found myself in: showing up, doing the 9–5 behind a laptop, and slowly feeling less and less connected to the work.

Fast forward a year, and I can confidently say it was the best career decision I’ve made so far.

Redefining Work-Life Balance (And Realising It’s Not Perfect)

One of the biggest shifts has been having more control over my time. Freelancing has allowed me to build a version of work that fits around my life, not the other way around. I’m earning well, living comfortably, and for the first time in a while, things feel more balanced.

But I’ve also learned that “balance” doesn’t mean burnout disappears.

If anything, it can creep in more subtly. When you care about your clients and your work, it’s easy to overdeliver, overthink, and overextend. I’ve had to learn (and I’m still learning) that going above and beyond doesn’t have to mean running yourself into the ground.

Pushing Past Comfort Zones

This year has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect.

Working across industries like telecoms, life sciences, manufacturing, health care and foster care has meant constantly adapting to new audiences, new messaging, new challenges. It’s pushed me into conversations I might have avoided before. Some difficult, some inspiring, all valuable.

I’ve also had the opportunity to work across a huge range of projects: from end-to-end campaign delivery to CRM builds, website audits,  full revamps and A LOT of SEO (I’m now a pro at optimising for search results - even in this new AI world!) Some projects have been deeply strategic, others more creative, and many have required a balance of both. That variety has not only kept things interesting, but has helped me develop a much broader and more adaptable skill set.

I’ve also learned so much from working closely with Caylee. Not just about event marketing, but about how to approach challenges, communicate with clients, and trust my own judgement.

It’s been one of those years where you look back and realise you’ve grown without fully noticing it in the moment.

Why Freelancing Works for Me

I’ve always known I’m someone who needs variety.

I love being creative, jumping between ideas, and using my skills in a more flexible, ad hoc way. What I struggle with is repetition and if you’ve worked in events marketing, you’ll know that repetition can be a big part of it.

Freelancing has changed that completely.

Every client is different. Every project feels like a new challenge. It’s helped me avoid that familiar “I’m not loving this anymore” feeling that used to creep in after a few years in a role.

Instead, I feel more engaged, more motivated, and more like I’m actually using my strengths.

The Questions Everyone Asks

Whenever I tell people I’m self-employed, the reactions are usually the same:

“Isn’t that risky?” 

“That must be intense.” 

“Are you sure that’s the right path?” 

“Would you go back to a full-time role?”

And the truth is all those thoughts are valid.

Freelancing isn’t the most secure path on paper. There’s no guaranteed income, no fixed structure, no clear roadmap. It can be unpredictable, and yes, sometimes it is a bit scary.

But despite all of that, it’s also the most secure I’ve felt in myself in a long time.

The People Who Made It What It Is

A huge part of this experience has been the people.

Working with Caylee & Charlotte at CDonaldson Marketing has been something I don’t think you come across often: a working dynamic built on trust, accountability, and genuine friendship. That foundation makes everything else easier, even when things get challenging.

I’ve also been lucky enough to work with some incredible clients over the past year, including MVNO Nation, Phacilitate, Bespoke Fostering, Health.Tech, and Engage Business Media. Each project has brought something different: new challenges, new perspectives, and new opportunities to grow.

And outside of work, I’ve had constant support from friends and family, which, when you’re navigating something as unpredictable as freelancing, means more than you probably realise at the time.

One Year In

Freelancing isn’t perfect. It’s not always stable. It’s not always easy.

But it has given me something I didn’t have before: a sense of ownership over my work, confidence in my abilities, and a clearer understanding of what I actually want from my career.

One year in, I’m still learning, still figuring things out, and still pushing myself.

But I’m also more certain than ever: this was the right decision.