Ask What do you say to someone who tells you freelancing is not a real career?

[Edward22]

A lot of freelancers have heard this at some point, usually from a family member or an old friend who thinks a proper job means working for a company with a fixed salary. It can be frustrating to hear, especially when you are earning well or building something you genuinely enjoy. Some people brush it off, while others feel pressure to prove themselves. How do you usually respond when someone dismisses freelancing as something unstable or not serious enough to be taken as a career?