I didn’t always plan to freelance—it kind of snuck up on me. One day I was commuting to an office, and the next I was figuring out how to file self-employment taxes and take Zoom calls from my dining table. It was thrilling and chaotic in equal measure. The freedom was everything I wanted, but no one warns you that you also become your own IT department, admin assistant, and HR rep overnight.
When I started, I thought a laptop and a decent coffee shop playlist would carry me. Spoiler: they didn’t. It took some trial, error, and way too many hours of hunching over a screen to figure out what I actually needed to make this whole working-for-myself thing work. Here’s everything I’d recommend investing in before you find yourself deep in a posture spiral or three lattes into a disorganized Monday.
1. A comfortable, ergonomic desk chair
Your back is going to have some thoughts if you try to freelance full-time from a dining chair. Trust me, upgrading to an ergonomic chair with lumbar support and adjustable height is worth every penny. It’s not the flashiest investment, but it instantly makes your home workspace feel more like a real office—and less like an afterthought.
2. A versatile laptop sleeve
This might look like your standard laptop sleeve, but it’s doing double duty. The MOFT Laptop Carry Sleeve protects your device while also transforming into a stand that props up your laptop for better posture (no more tech neck!). It’s ideal for working on the go, lightweight enough for any tote bag, and and thanks to the cute colors from their newest collection that offers four colors to fit any mood, your setup won’t scream “tech bro.”
3. A cloud-based storage system
You don’t want to be the freelancer frantically searching for a final draft in an email thread. Google Drive and Dropbox make it easy to organize client files, back up your work, and access everything across devices. It’s a small monthly cost that can save you a lot of stress (and lost hours).
4. Noise-canceling headphones
Working from home (or anywhere else) means you’re never totally in control of your environment. Cue construction noise, barking dogs, and loud baristas. A pair of solid noise-canceling headphones helps you focus and sound polished on client calls—no matter what’s happening in the background.
5. A planner you’ll actually use
Digital tools are great, but there’s something about writing things down that makes everything feel more real. Since college, I’ve used these Day Designer planners (shameless plug) because they help me structure my days, prioritize tasks, and stay on top of both work and life priorities.
The Everygirl x Day Designer
The Everygirl x Day Designer
6. A practical phone stand
I didn’t realize how often I was trying to balance my phone against a water bottle until I got this. It’s a sleek, minimal phone case that doubles as a wallet and stand—perfect for Zoom calls or capturing content without lugging around a massive tripod. It takes up basically no space, and I went with the new red shade for a pop of color that gives a little extra energy on meeting-heavy days.
Whether you’re working with one client or juggling five, keeping your deadlines and deliverables straight is essential. Tools like Asana, Trello, or Notion help you visualize your workflow, break down big projects, and avoid that “wait, when was that due again?” panic spiral.
8. Blue light glasses
If you spend all day staring at screens, blue light glasses can help cut down on eye strain and headaches. They’re an easy, affordable way to protect your eyes—and they’re available in styles you’ll actually want to wear.
9. A functional iPad stand
If you have an iPad, turning it into a second monitor is one of the easiest ways to boost your productivity. The MOFT Dynamic Folio props your iPad at just the right angle, folds flat when you’re done, and looks polished wherever you’re working. Plus, their new Spark Collection includes this gorg yellow color designed to boost curiosity and creativity.
10. A time-tracking app
Time gets slippery when you don’t have a boss or clock-in system. A time-tracking app like Toggl helps you see where your hours are going, figure out how long tasks really take, and make your billing process more transparent and accurate. It also helps you spot productivity leaks you didn’t even know existed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paige Cushman, Branded Content Editor
From small community newspapers to country music marketing, Paige has found the most fulfillment in finding and sharing the uniquely human stories that compel an audience. As a Branded Content Editor at The Everygirl, she is able to combine her excitement about women’s issues and pop culture with her editorial skills to create quality content for our brand partners.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of MOFT but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
Feature graphic images credited to: Ashley Singerling | Dupe, Ayla Mourtada | Dupe
