I’m a 54 freelancer - should I expect to lose work because of my age?

[Middleagefear]

I’m having a mad panic. I’ve been freelancing in my industry for years alongside a creative career, which has been successful except in the financial sense! So, freelance work is important to me.

I don’t earn a lot but I’ve always had consistent work. I’ve had a dip recently - no work for a month, which is pretty unusual. I put it down to Xmas period. But I suddenly thought today - what if my usual hustle (and I want to extend my network into new companies) is now hindered by my age? I suddenly feel so vulnerable.

I’ve only just seen how old this post was. Did things pick up?

I’ve been a freelancer for 25/30 years and I’m 53. I don’t feel I’ve lost work because of my age but I definitely get different projects now. One company blatantly bumped me from their “young” product to work with their “50+ project”!

Watching with interest! I do worry myself. I think all freelancers are struggling with a downturn lately if it's any help. ChatGPT and other AI type things, Canva and other tools mean clients can some of the traditional freelancer roles themselves more easily and have a lot less need. The economy is bad as well. Maybe time to diversify a bit, decide what side steps you can take whilst continuing with the regular work? I am trying to develop my own related side hustles. Hard but worth it I think.