Pros and Cons of Being a Virtual Assistant

Pros and Cons of Being a Virtual Assistant

What are the pros and cons of being a Virtual Assistant? Being a VA has given me the freedom to work from home, raise my kids and build a business on my own terms, but it isn’t all sunshine and flexibility, there are challenges too.

In this blog, I’ll share the real-life virtual assistant pros and cons, drawing on my journey since 2011 and the ups and downs I’ve experienced along the way.  From the joy of being there for school runs to the frustration and disadvantages of being a virtual assistant, like unpredictable workloads, you’ll get a clear picture of what this career is really like.

If you’re wondering if you should become a virtual assistant, this will help you decide if it’s the right path for you.

Flexibility and Family Life

One of the biggest benefits of being a virtual assistant is that I’ve been there for everything with my kids. The good days, the bad days, the school runs, the doctor’s appointments, even hospital visits. I’ve never missed a sports day or a school concert.

I work when I want. Most days I’m finished by 3pm and Fridays are lighter because I’m usually tired. If I feel poorly or simply want a lie-in, I can start later. That flexibility is priceless.

Financial Benefits

When I first started, the set-up costs were low, just a laptop, Wi-Fi and a few tools. Back then, the money I earned was a bonus for the household. Now, my income means we can go on multiple holidays a year and enjoy a good standard of living.

The beauty of being a VA is that income is scalable to a point. You can start small and fit one or two clients around your children, then increase your rates or take on more clients as your kids grow up or you have more time.

There are tax benefits too. As a self-employed VA, you can claim back the cost of software, office equipment, your phone bill, part of your household bills and even training. These reduce your tax bill so you keep more of what you earn. Plus, you simply need less money overall, no commuting costs, no work lunches, no expensive office wardrobe.

Work and Clients

One of the things I love most about being a Virtual Assistant is the people I get to work with. My clients are genuinely lovely, smart, respectful and a joy to support.

Another big plus is that no two days ever look the same. One day I might be writing content for social media, the next I’ll be knee-deep in bookkeeping. I even get to match my work to my mood.

If I’m tired, I’ll avoid accounts (because you really do need a sharp head for figures) and instead lean into design work, which feels lighter and more fun. That mix of variety and choice keeps things interesting day after day.

I also get to choose who I work with. That freedom is priceless. Of course, sometimes you do have to let a client go if the relationship isn’t working and that’s never easy, but it’s part of running your own business.

Meetings

As an introvert, I know my limits. Too much people-time leaves me drained, so I keep my meetings light. Most weeks I’ll only have one or two Zoom or Teams calls and at the busiest times (usually month-end accounts) it might be three or four calls per week.

I don’t know how people manage back-to-back meetings and phone calls all day.  I’d be wiped out. I work best in quiet, by myself, with space to recharge. That’s not a weakness, it’s just how I’m wired and being a VA lets me build my work life around that and my family.

Lifestyle Perks

Working from home means I get to enjoy home-cooked meals every day instead of soggy sandwiches at a desk. I can put the washing on or unload the dishwasher during a short break, which rests my eyes and keeps the house in order. I can walk in the winter sun when it appears instead of sticking to a fixed lunch break.

Image description: Me taking a walk in the winter sun. One of the benefits of being a virtual assistant is having the flexibility to step outside anytime.

As an introvert, I also love the peace and quiet. Offices were noisy and distracting, I felt like I wasted energy just tuning out the background noise when I worked in an office. Now silence helps me focus and the first four hours of my day are golden where I can get a huge amount of work complete.

Personal Growth

As you grow, your skills grow too. You’ll constantly learn new tools, software and systems, which makes you more marketable. I personally love exploring new software and finding ways to use it in my business or my clients’ businesses. Over the years, you build up a high bank of skills that make you very knowledgeable and adaptable.

Long-Term Career

Looking ahead, this career will age well with me. As my kids grow more independent, I’ll have more flexibility and less financial pressure. It’s also not a physically demanding job, I sit at my desk all day, so I can carry on for years. If anything, I have to remember to move more as sitting all day is not good for you.

I don’t know how people manage jobs where they’re on their feet all day until they’re 68, or high-stress roles with long commutes. Being a VA feels sustainable well into retirement, maybe even beyond. The saying ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ really fits here.

Cons of Being a Virtual Assistant

Always On

It can feel like you’re “always on.” The laptop is only a few steps away and it’s very easy to keep checking emails or doing “just one more task.” Switching off takes real discipline. Sometimes I can switch off well, other times, not so much.

Isolation

I don’t speak to many people in a day. Most of my work hours (8am–3pm) are quiet. Once the kids are home, family life takes over, but during the day there’s very little adult conversation.

Sometimes I’ll have a Zoom call with a client. Other times I’ll pop to the coffee shop or garden centre with my mum if work is light,  but a lot of the time, it’s just me.

I have to make an effort to connect with friends, otherwise it’s too easy to get stuck in my own little world and honestly it makes me feel a bit weird. With no commute, it’s easy to stay inside. That’s why I push myself to go for a walk, get fresh air, or plan something fun like seeing friends or going on a date with my husband.

The upside is I’ve learnt how important balance is. I love the quiet focus of working alone, but I also know when I need connection. Making space for both has been the key to keeping this lifestyle healthy and enjoyable.

Work-Life Overlap

It’s hard to separate work and home life. I’m sure people think my workday is relaxing, but the reality is, at times there is a lot of work, then clean, cook and keep the house running. It never stops as there is no separation between home and work.

Unpredictable Workload

You can’t always control the flow of work. Some months you’re too busy and others you’re not busy enough. August is always a tough one for me because clients are quieter while kids are off school and expenses are higher. The economy also plays a part, when clients are cutting back, you feel it. That can mean taking on extra work to cover the dip, only to be overwhelmed again when things pick back up.

Unstable Income

Being a VA doesn’t come with a guaranteed salary. You have to budget carefully and save for leaner months. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of being a virtual assistant and why having a healthy emergency fund is so important.

No Paid Holiday or Sick Pay

If you don’t work, you don’t earn. Time off has to be planned and saved for. Luckily I haven’t been too sick to work, though I once worked with food poisoning without realising it!

Overworking

It’s so easy to overwork and I’m guilty of it. When the laptop is right there, it’s tempting to keep pushing, but it’s not healthy in the long run. You need rest. You need space for family life and you definitely need time for your own business admin too.

When my to-do list gets out of control, I break the day into 30-minute slots. Then I work backwards. Bedtime goes in. Dinner time. Cooking. Work hours. Business admin. Life admin. Even things like putting the washing on. Once you map it out, reality hits. You can’t write a blog, have a bath, do the gardening and clear your inbox all in one day plus do client work. It shows you how ridiculous the list can get and helps you make a plan that actually works.

Responsibility for Everything

As a VA you’re not just doing client work, you’re your own accounts department, marketing team, admin help and IT support. You also have to manage yourself. If you struggle with self-motivation, this may not be the career for you.

Client Boundaries

In the early days, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being available 24/7. Some clients will push those boundaries if you let them. Setting clear boundaries is not always easy, but it’s absolutely necessary.

Tech Challenges

Being a VA is very tech-heavy. Between social media, online tools, apps and email platforms, there’s no IT department to fall back on, you’re the one who has to figure it all out. That’s where ChatGPT can make a big difference, especially for solving everyday tech issues. I’ve written more about this in my blog, How to Use ChatGPT as a Virtual Assistant.

Data Security and Legal Responsibilities

As a VA, you handle sensitive client information from passwords to financial data. That means you’re responsible for keeping it safe and following GDPR rules. There’s no IT department to protect you, so you need to take security seriously. Password managers, and strong passwords are essential. I’ve written more about this in my blog on Password Security for Virtual Assistants.

Conclusion

Being a VA has many pros: flexibility, low start-up costs, the chance to work with great clients and the freedom to build a career around family life, but there are also disadvantages of remote work: isolation, unpredictable income and the constant need to manage your own time.

Being a VA has allowed me to work from home and raise my kids. This career has helped me grow while being present for my family and earning a solid living. If you’re prepared for the ups and downs and willing to learn as you go, being a VA can be a realistic and sustainable way to build the life you want.

Now Read: Money Mindset For Virtual Assistants 

And Read: Work From Home With Kids 

FAQs

Is Being a Virtual Assistant Worth It?

For me, yes. I’ve been a VA since 2011 and it has given me the freedom to work from home, pick my kids up when they’re sick and never miss a sports day or school concert. The income can dip at times if a client changes their workload, but the flexibility and independence more than balance it out.

What are the pros and cons of being a Virtual Assistant?

The pros are huge: flexible hours, no commute, home-cooked lunch, tax benefits and variety of work. The cons are real too: isolation, unstable income (August is always slow for me), and the temptation to overwork. It’s a mix of freedom and self-discipline.

What is it like being a Virtual Assistant?

Most of my days run 8am–3pm, with a lighter Friday. I use breaks to put on the washing or walk in the winter sun. Some weeks are very busy, others much quieter. It’s a balance of client work, household life and managing your own time.

Why become a Virtual Assistant?

There are lots of reasons to be a virtual assistant, but the biggest one for me has been flexibility. You might become a VA if you want a career that fits around family life. When my kids were young, I could be there for every doctor’s appointment, every sick day and every school event. As they grow more independent, I know this career will continue to grow with me.