I did a post on Monday about my first anniversary as a freelance web designer. After posting I realized how gushy it sounded. How utterly sugar-coated and rather gag-worthy it kind of was. And I feel I need to make amends.

Whereas I do enjoy my job immensely, and I have loved my journey over the past year, it has been tough, and I've learned some things along the way. Follows are the six biggies. In some cases it only took a few projects to learn a lesson, but in others it took months. And I'm well aware that I still have a long way to go. But for now, here is what I've learned:

1. Sometimes the best thing you can do to move a project along is to stop working on it. - I am a workaholic. I would - and quite often do - sit in front of this computer screen for hours at a time, hacking away at one or several projects. At some point, I just have to walk away and catch my breath. It may be for just a few minutes, perhaps long enough to run upstairs to my chocolate stash, or to take Lily out for a whole day, but sometimes I just need to get away. Then I can return with a fresh perspective, and then the magic happens.

I'm also a firm believer of "sleeping on it." I do this a lot, especially when it comes to coding. Sometimes I hit bugs that I just can't work out at the moment, and all too often I'll call it a night and wake up the next morning with the answer. Again, magic.

2. I cannot make everyone happy. - Though this is something that I strive for, it really is just impossible. There will always be that someone who wanted a project done yesterday. Or they aren't willing to pay the price tag that comes attached to my services. Or during a project, something gets in the way of mutual happiness. It's just a cold hard fact and part of the business.

3. Learn to say no and/or cut clients loose. - This one has been the hardest for me, and is something I still struggle with. It has two fronts: determining whether a client is a good fit for me and realizing when I just can't take a heavier load. Sometimes determining whether a client is a good fit is realized too late, which results in the cutting loose, but I'm learning to recognize factors in determining this early on.

4. Voicing my opinion. - In the beginning I just did what client's asked without giving much input. Basically I was an Illustrator and Photoshop monkey. I was still trying to find my "voice" and feel for who I was as a designer, resulting in several projects that will never make it into my public portfolio. However, after I got the feel of my designer-self, designing became much easier. Now that I know the type of designer I am, it's much easier for me to interject with my own design opinions and put them into action. I mean, you are hiring a designer, right?

5. Contracts, contracts, contracts. - Can I say it again? Contracts. This lesson came after several projects that dragged on for weeks and weeks at a time with no push from client or designer, losing money for both parties. Now everyone has contracts, no matter how large or small the project, with date-by-date timelines for which both parties are held responsible. Oh, contracts have made my life a million and a half times easier.

6. Never EVER get attached to a design before it is accepted. - All too often I fall head-over-heals for a design that may not ever make it past the first edit. Then I'm heart broken. This is one I'm still working on, as I can't help but sometimes get at least a little attached. Above is an ode to a few of my favorite rejects. Though, the final logos all did turn out wonderfully as well.

This past year has been a growing season for me, brought on by both good and bad experiences. Though the good ones are the ones I will carry with me most dearly, the bad ones will stay too, as those are the ones that have taught me the most. They've made me a better designer.