Recently, I had an experience where I had to say “no” to a job offer.

It paid well enough. The work seemed steady and the potential client seemed to have a decent enough reputation in their field. But when I thought about researching, writing, and revising articles based on the subject … I felt a little sick to my stomach. (To clarify, it wasn’t anything particularly bad or immoral — it was a personal gross-out, but I won’t get any more specific than that out of respect to the owner.)

So I politely declined, suggested some resources for finding a more suitable freelance writer, and sent them on their way. But weeks later, I’m still thinking about it.

I’m at a point in my career (read: very, very early) where I feel like I don’t really have the right to say “no” as long as the offer isn’t particularly outlandish. I find myself wondering if I should have just “sucked it up” and did my best to write for this person, anyways.

But, deep down, I know that would have ended poorly. I wouldn’t be doing what I wanted to do, and more importantly, that client wouldn’t be getting the copy that they deserved.

As a freelance writer, I know that sometimes I’m going to have to write about things that maybe aren’t my favorite topics. Some of the material I research might be a little dry, or uninteresting, or whatever. I have written about things that I wouldn’t normally find interesting, because I’m an empathetic person and I’m usually able to find some element of it relatable enough to connect with.

That said, I think I need to remind myself that sometimes, it’s okay to say no to a job if it genuinely makes me uncomfortable, if it goes against my core beliefs, or even if it just grosses me out a little.

I’d love to open this conversation up to other freelance writers (or freelancers in general): when do you feel the need to say “no” to a project? Feel free to @ me on social media or contact me directly!