💸 Bleugh. The Gig That Got Away.

You know that feeling when you finally get offered a gig you really wanted… and then realise saying yes would actually cost you money?

Yep. That was me this week.

The project sounded great — creative, fun, right up my street. But when the budget details came through, travel wasn’t covered. ✈️💰

Cue that classic freelancer debate:

> “Maybe I should just do it anyway?”
“It’s great exposure.”
“It could lead to something else.”
“I’ll just take the hit this time…”



But then that tiny sensible voice piped up:

> “You’re not supposed to pay to work.”



And honestly? It’s true.
We all want to be flexible, collaborative, easy to work with — but there’s a line between being adaptable and being out of pocket.

Sometimes saying no feels awful in the moment… but it’s the right thing long term.

Because if the budget doesn’t work — it just doesn’t work.
It’s not personal, it’s practical. 💡

When you’ve worked across broadcast, experiential, and live events, you learn that passion doesn’t pay your train fare (sadly).
Boundaries are part of valuing yourself — and making sure you can keep doing the work you love without quietly burning out or going broke.

So, I said no. Politely. Professionally. With a little sigh because I’d have loved to say yes.

But no, I didn’t mess up.
I made a grown-up decision — one that keeps me sustainable, sane, and ready for the next project that does fit. 💪

To anyone else who’s had to turn down a gig because the maths didn’t add up — you’re not alone. You didn’t fail. You just made it make sense. 💛

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