2015 was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, I started my own business which was incredibly exciting, but also incredibly overwhelming. I consider this year to be a big “growing” year, where I learned a lot about myself, my relationships and how I want to continue down my career path.

Back in May I shared my initial thoughts of a being a freelancer, and now as I write this recap at the end of the year, I wanted to share my freelance perspective one full year in.

• Clients (and those relationships) will come and go: Sometimes client relationships don’t go as planned, and that’s ok. People will come and go out of your life, and the ones that are truly meant to be there will be in it for the long haul. I have learned SO much from all of my working experiences this year, and wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Even those not-so-great moments.

• Surround yourself with smart people: While this year may have been a bit of a roller coaster professionally, I truly feel like I have landed where I’m supposed to be. I’m currently working with some pretty intelligent and talented people and have learned so much in the past few months of working with them. I’m eagerly looking forward to becoming an even better marketer in 2016.

• Time is money: I have always been on a salary wage so switching to hourly was a big change for me. I never realized how much I took having a salary job for granted until I I started hourly. If I’m not working, I don’t get paid, so I make sure to be as efficient as possible with my time every day.

• Self-Employment taxes: The struggle is so real on this one. Gone are the days of having taxes automatically taken from your paycheck and instead budgeting and estimating your income each month. Add an extra self-employed tax on top of your state and federal taxes and you are in for a real party.

• Make time for yourself: This one is big. One of the great things about working from home is well, you work from home, but it’s a double-edged sword. I found myself struggling to put work away at night and spent many weekends missing out on fun with friends because I was locked away in my office working. Emphasizing work/life balance is going to be a big priority for me for 2016.

• It’s hard on your significant other too: I am so very lucky to have a wonderful and supportive husband, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that my new career venture was hard on both of us. He was there for me through the ups and downs and some tears, and I’m grateful to have such a strong support system at home. But it’s a good reminder that when you work for yourself, those closest to you are affected as well.

Now that I have a year of working for myself under my belt, I’m feeling much more confident walking into 2016 with a solid foundation and ready to see what the new year has in store. 2016, bring it on.