Can I make money just with my iPad and the things I love?

I've always admired freelancers. With an iPad and three apps, can my "likes" become my work? I've written down my days of stacking up small challenges.

I realized something. I absolutely love my iPad!

It's easy to carry around, and I can write or draw anywhere. I admired people working in cafes with their laptops open, thinking, "I want to work like that too." So, I set my sights on freelancing and started planting small seeds.

But laptops are heavy... You need a mouse, and if there's no power outlet, you're out of luck. For someone like me who wants to travel light, it was honestly a bit inconvenient.

When I have too much to carry, I get tired just preparing, and I end up thinking, "I'll just stay home today," which leads to me staying cooped up.

In that regard, the iPad is the ultimate partner. It's light, opens quickly, and I can write right away. The battery lasts a long time, and I can create anywhere. "...Could this be my ideal way of working?"

Actually, the apps I'm using on my iPad right now are Procreate for drawing, Canva for design, and ChatGPT for structuring text and brainstorming ideas. With just these three, the ideas in my head are really starting to take shape.

I started using the paid versions of Canva and ChatGPT, and the range of what I can do has expanded significantly.

Why I'm glad I upgraded to the paid version of Canva

・Pro features expand my creative possibilities infinitely ・Background removal is instant and looks amazing ・Abundant photo materials make my note thumbnails look "professional"

Why I'm glad I upgraded to the paid version of ChatGPT

・It remembers conversation history and suggests writing styles and phrasing that sound like me. ・I can practice English conversation and check my pronunciation. ・I can generate unlimited illustrations, which really expands the world of my notes.

Upgrading both Canva and ChatGPT to their paid versions has really broadened my creative horizons. Even when I tried to visualize what was in my brain, I was always bothered by the feeling that "this isn't quite right," which left me feeling frustrated. But that has cleared up all at once. I'm finding that creating is even more fun!! than before.

Aiming to be a "power-outlet-free creator"

My ideal is to create freely, anytime, anywhere. And I'd be happy if that creation could earn me even a little bit of money. Titled: Making pocket money just with an iPad. ...That's exactly what it is (laughs).

"There's no way I can do it" vs. "I can do it if I try" - internal meeting in progress

"There's no way you can do that," "No, you can do anything if you try." As usual, a big debate has started inside me. This time, I want to affirm the 'me' who wants to try. So, first, I decided to write down how I'm feeling right now.

Experiment theme: "Just try whatever I'm curious about"

Aiming to become a freelancer, I started taking small steps in June.

Things I'm planning

・Running a "read-only membership" on note
・Selling illustrations on note
・Kindle publishing

Things I've actually tried

・Amazon Associates
・Coconala

You never know if you want to do something until you try it. You can't judge if it suits you unless you experience it yourself to see if it gets you excited. So, my strategy is to try everything I'm curious about, one after another.

Coconala: The reason I stopped is also a reason

I registered for Coconala, peeked at other people's work, and drew a few illustrations for my portfolio. At first, I was moving along quite enthusiastically.

But my head became full of things like coming up with a new name as a creator and how to handle the relationship with my note account, "Kyotano."

While thinking about privacy, separating my activities, and linking with social media, I started to feel, "Maybe this isn't the right time."

Since then, I've put it on hold. Instead, I'm currently shifting gears, thinking maybe I'll try selling illustrations on note first.

Amazon Associates: I'm still not feeling it

I tried writing just one article on note, but I haven't moved forward from there. Right now, my heart is really leaning toward my daily essays and creative work.

I'm just not feeling motivated to write articles for Associates yet. I'll put this on hold until I find a way to approach it that I can enjoy.

Can I turn what I love into a job without pushing myself too hard?

Being a freelancer isn't easy. But I want to experiment with whether I can turn the things I love into money, little by little, while following my honest feelings.

Well, honestly, I want to give it my all. But as someone raising a child, if I push myself too hard, it affects my daily life. I can easily imagine a future where deadlines, schedules, and various pressures start to choke me.

I want to connect what I love to 'work' without overdoing it

To avoid affecting my parenting, I inevitably end up having to sacrifice myself. But that would be putting the cart before the horse.

'If that's the case, isn't it better to just keep what you love as a hobby?'... Yes, I've thought that many times too.

But it just won't go away. The desire to challenge myself to see if I can make money from it. No matter how many times I pull it out, it keeps growing back like a weed.

So, I'm going to try following my feelings honestly. But I will absolutely not force it. I will earn money while having fun. I'm moving forward with the intention of taking on this challenge little by little, in a relaxed way.

I believe that these days of experimentation will surely give someone a gentle push. Even though I feel a bit embarrassed, I will write it down as a record.

Is there anything you want to try doing right now?

If there is something you're thinking, 'It's impossible anyway, I can't do that,' why don't you try taking on the challenge with me?

One by one, it's okay to go slowly. The accumulation of 'I did it and it worked' will surely lead to great confidence. I believe that again today as I move forward one step at a time.

Maybe I should make this note the start of a 'Things I Tried' series? I'll record everything, including failures and things I've put on hold. Hmm... but I wonder if I can do it. Unlike my usual articles, honestly, this really drained my energy (laughs).

Writing practical report-style articles like this is not my strong suit. Thinking about how much detail I should provide is very exhausting (whispering).

I'll consider making this a series if I feel like it. For now, I'm just too tired! See you later.

I've had many struggles up until now as well ↓