Judith is a freelance software engineer with over eight years of experience in startups and large companies. She went freelance looking for a more calm and sustainable way to work in tech – and is still figuring out what that actually means.
Online, she shares the realities of freelancing and software development, helping other tech freelancers navigate the challenges of working for themselves.
Past talks
Being Your Own Boss vs. Being Your Own Worst Enemy: Navigating Impostor Syndrome, Procrastination, and Distractions
June 11, 2026 11:30
"Are you working hard, or hardly working?" As a freelancer, the answer is often both - and neither feels quite right.
Burnout, mental health struggles, and balancing varying workloads seem to be recurring topics among freelancers.
Almost everyone seems to deal with these challenges and while it is comforting to know that we are not alone in this, what are we doing to improve things?
This session looks at three common hurdles - impostor syndrome, procrastination, and distractions - through the lens of freelancing, where there's no boss to validate your work, no teammates to keep you accountable, and no structure to keep you focused.
No productivity hacks or step-by-step guides. Just an honest conversation about what it's really like and why these struggles are so common when you're your own boss.
If you've ever felt alone in these struggles, this session is a reminder: you're not. We're all in the same boat, trying to figure out how to be kinder to ourselves.
How to Survive Your First Year as a Freelancer
May 14, 2025 16:25
Judith Boehlert will guide you through the challenges of surviving the first year as a freelancer, offering essential insights and tips. She’ll cover crucial topics like how to manage your finances, find your first clients, and build your personal brand, all while tackling the less glamorous tasks like bureaucracy and juggling multiple roles.
This session is perfect for those looking to get a solid start in the freelancing world and build a sustainable career, with practical advice and strategies for navigating the first year and beyond.