When Freelancers Struggle, Alex Eala’s Setback Offers Perspective We all face down moments in freelancing—slow weeks, no clients, dry spells that make us question everything. But much like in sports, these low points don’t define your journey. They’re part of it. We all face dry seasons in freelancing.
No clients.
No replies.
No progress.
You send proposals, refresh your inbox, check your portfolio stats—and still, nothing. It’s hard not to take it personally. It can feel like rejection, failure, or a sign that you’re not good enough.
But you’re not alone in that feeling. Even high-level performers face the same frustration. Just in a different arena.
Take Alex Eala.
One of the Philippines’ top tennis stars. A young athlete is already making a name for herself on the world stage. She recently had to withdraw from the 2025 Cincinnati Open due to an injury.
She was training hard.
She had momentum.
Then came the setback.
That pause in her career is a moment freelancers can deeply relate to.
Despite the setback, Alex Eala stays positive.
Photo: © Alex Eala / Facebook
Why It Hurts When Work Stops
Freelancing is unpredictable.
One month, you’re swamped. The next, you’re invisible.
You start asking:
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Am I still good enough?”
“Should I go back to a ‘stable’ job?”
You question your skills, your pricing, even your decision to freelance in the first place. But this is exactly when you need to take a breath—and look at people like Alex.
She had to step away from a major tournament. That hurts. But what stood out was her attitude.
She didn’t disappear.
She didn’t complain.
She smiled.
On her Facebook page, you can see it—despite the injury, she stays cheerful. That’s not denial. That’s resilience.
A Pause Isn’t the End
When you don’t get a gig this week, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
When you lose a regular client, it doesn’t erase your talent.
You’re in a pause. That’s all.
Think of it like an athlete in recovery. They don’t stop training forever—they just shift the focus.
And you can do the same.
What You Can Do During a Freelance Slowdown
Instead of waiting for work to come to you, use this quiet time to rebuild:
Update your portfolio with recent projects or testimonials
Learn a new tool like ChatGPT, Canva, Notion, or Trello
Reach out to old clients just to check in
Polish your proposal or profile on Upwork or LinkedIn
Create content (blogs, tutorials, short videos) to showcase your skills
Join online communities for freelancers and creatives
You don’t need to be productive every second. But staying in motion—even slowly—keeps your mindset strong.
The Emotional Side of Freelancing
Let’s be honest.
Sometimes it’s not about strategy or skill.
It’s about fear, insecurity, and pressure.
You feel guilty for resting.
You worry you're falling behind.
You compare yourself to others who seem busier or more successful.
But behind every “fully booked” freelancer is someone who also had long stretches of doubt.
Behind every confident profile is a human being who once sat exactly where you are now—refreshing their inbox, hoping for a break.
What Alex Eala Teaches Us
She’s young, but her mindset is sharp.
She didn’t see her injury as the end of the road.
She saw it as part of the journey.
That’s the kind of thinking you can borrow today.
You don’t need to pretend you’re okay.
You just need to remember that this part of freelancing—the slowdowns, the silence, the waiting—is normal.
And temporary.
Like Alex, your comeback matters more than your setback.
Ask Yourself Today:
What can I do with the time I have now?
What small skill or project can I work on?
What do I want my freelance life to look like six months from now?
You’re Still in the Game
You’re not behind. You’re just between chapters.
This week, things are slow. But next week could change everything.
Keep showing up.
Keep learning.
Keep preparing.
Alex Eala’s journey reminds us that strength isn’t just about winning.
It’s about how you carry yourself when the win doesn’t come.
As freelancers, we can take that same mindset and keep going.
The next opportunity is out there.
The next project will come.
And when it does, you’ll be ready.
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