A Day in the Life of a Freelance Virtual Assistant (And Why It’s the Best Job Ever)

Ilsen Noriega
Jul 24
3 min read

When people hear I’m a freelance virtual assistant, they usually imagine me lounging in pajamas, sipping coffee with a laptop on the beach. While that sometimes happens (hello, digital nomad dreams), the reality is a fun mix of structure, flexibility, and fulfilling work that changes day to day.

Whether you’re thinking about becoming a VA or just curious about what we actually do, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a typical day in my life.

☀️ 8:00 AM – Slow Mornings & Matcha Magic

I could roll out of bed and start working in 5 minutes. But I’ve learned that building a morning routine is key. I usually start my day with matcha or coffee, journal for 10 minutes, and review my schedule using Google Calendar or ClickUp.

Before I check a single email, I set my intentions for the day. It’s one of the perks of being your own boss—you get to decide how you show up.

A Day in the Life of a Freelance Virtual Assistant (And Why It’s the Best Job Ever)

🧑‍💻 9:00 AM – Admin Mode: Inbox, Calendars & Client Love

My first 1–2 hours are usually the most focused. I jump into:

Inbox management – filtering emails, responding on behalf of clients, and flagging anything urgent
Calendar organization – rescheduling meetings, adding Zoom links, or syncing calendars across tools
Client communications – updating them on tasks, deliverables, or random reminders (“Don’t forget your flight!”)

Tools I live in: Gmail, Slack, Asana, and Zoom.

☎️ 11:00 AM – Client Meetings or Strategy Sessions

Depending on the day, I might hop on a quick call with a client. Some days it’s a 15-minute check-in, other times it’s a full-on launch planning meeting or brand strategy session. As a freelance VA, your role evolves—you might be handling admin one day and advising on systems the next.

And yes, I’m almost always in cozy clothes. 😉

🥗 12:30 PM – Lunch + Break

I step away from the screen, eat something nourishing, maybe take a walk, or squeeze in a yoga class. Boundaries are everything when you work from home.

💡 2:00 PM – Deep Work: Content Creation or Systems Setup

Afternoons are usually reserved for bigger tasks like:

Creating social media content or newsletters
Designing client onboarding systems in Dubsado or Notion
Researching tools, writing SOPs, or putting together proposals

These are the projects that let me flex my creativity and build real value for my clients.

📱 4:00 PM – Wrap Up + Personal Biz Time

I send end-of-day updates to clients, check off completed tasks, and review what’s coming tomorrow. I try to always stop working by 5.

If I have energy, I work on my own business—writing blogs like this, creating digital products, or scheduling Pinterest posts to grow my traffic.

🌙 6:00 PM – Freedom Time

Evenings are for whatever I want. Dinner with friends, reading, or watching something cozy. And knowing I’ve helped amazing people grow their businesses? That’s the icing on the cake.

So… Is Being a Freelance Virtual Assistant Worth It?

Absolutely.

You get freedom, income potential, creativity, and the chance to build a business around your life.

Sure, it takes hustle. You’ll need systems, boundaries, and great client relationships. But if you’re organized, self-motivated, and love helping others? This could be your dream job.