Being a VA is Not for Everyone, and That’s OK
Written by: Kerry-Leigh Court from Starlight Virtual Assistance
When I first started my journey as a Virtual Assistant (VA), I had this ideal picture in my head. The freedom to work from anywhere, make my own hours, and choose who I work with—what could be better? But after a few months, I realised there was a lot more to the role than I had expected. And honestly? It wasn’t always as glamorous as it seemed.
So, if you’re thinking about jumping into the VA world, here are a few things you need to be aware of before taking the leap. Trust me, these lessons come from experience.
You’re Expected to Do Everything (Even If It’s Not Your Job)
One of the biggest surprises for me was how often clients assume you can do it all. When I first started, I was excited to be trusted with more responsibility, so I said “yes” to every request.
Need a website design? “Of course, I can handle that.” Be your Marketing Manager? “Sure, I’ve got that covered.”
But soon enough, I realised that this wasn’t sustainable. I was juggling tasks I had little experience with alongside the tasks I was hired for, and it was taking a toll on my mental and emotional energy. At the same time, clients weren’t always willing to increase my rate to compensate for the extra responsibility.
Here’s the truth: Being multi-skilled is great, but you are not a one-person department. You have to learn to set expectations early, and don’t be afraid to push back if a task isn’t in your wheelhouse. It’s not about being difficult; it’s about being realistic and staying within your skill set.
Freelancer? Some Clients Will Treat You Like an Employee (Without the Benefits)
When I first started freelancing, I didn’t realise how easily clients would forget that I was a freelancer and not a full-time employee. I had clients who expected me to be available around the clock—responding to emails all day or jumping into last-minute meetings without hesitation. Yet, when it came to time to discuss hours worked and payment, they’d quickly remind me that I was only contracted for a specific number of hours and shouldn’t exceed this—for budget purposes, of course.
It was a tough lesson. I had to constantly prove my value, but the tasks kept piling up, and there simply wasn’t enough time in my contract to get everything done. On top of that, their expectations were unrealistically high, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin.
That was my wake-up call to set clearer boundaries. I had to be transparent about how long tasks would realistically take, and if they exceeded my contracted hours, clients needed to be willing to pay extra. Once I got firm about my working hours and payment terms, the resentment faded. Now, I make it clear that my time is valuable. If clients want me available outside of my agreed hours or need tasks completed beyond what we initially discussed, they understand that it comes at an extra cost.
Difficult Clients Are Inevitable
Let’s talk about the inevitable: difficult clients. Initially, I worked with some challenging ones—clients who micromanaged, clients who were disorganised, clients who kept shifting deadlines, and clients who’d conveniently “forget” to pay. I also found myself in a situation where I couldn’t afford to lose a client because they were my main source of income, but at the same time, the work had become unenjoyable and stressful.
That’s when I realised something: you don’t have to be stuck. You can fire a client, but to do so without stress, you need to be in a position where you’re not relying solely on one person or company for your income. When I diversified my client base, I had the freedom to walk away from clients who were making my life harder, not easier.
The key is knowing that you are in control. You get to decide who you work with, and you don’t have to tolerate clients who don’t respect your time or effort.
It’s Not for Everyone, and That’s OK
There were days when I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and ready to quit. But looking back, I realise those moments were just part of the journey. Becoming a VA has taught me so much about myself—about my boundaries, my value, and my ability to run my own business.
But let’s be clear: freelancing isn’t for everyone. If you love structure, getting a consistent salary, and a clear line between work and life, then being a VA might not be the right fit. And that’s perfectly OK.
If you’re thinking about becoming a VA, ask yourself:
Can I handle the ups and downs?
Am I comfortable with the uncertainty?
Am I willing to set clear boundaries and sometimes say no?
It’s not for everyone, and that’s the beauty of it. Find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to admit that the VA life might not be the right path.
Connect with Kerry-Leigh