[Lizard]

I think you're possibly thinking about contexts in the wrong way (or at least a way that's contributing to your current confusion), unless you have separate physical locations for each of your three sets of responsibilities. I'd suggest a different approach.
1) In the project view, make a folder for each of your three zones: work, freelance, personal. Then put each project into its appropriate folder.
2) Create contexts for the tools you need for different tasks ("computer", "phone", "creative brain juices" for design, "desk" for bill-paying if that's where you keep your checkbook & stamps).
3) When you are doing freelance stuff, you can hide your work and personal stuff by selecting the 'freelance' folder, and choosing "Focus on freelance" from the View menu. Now whether you're in project or context view, you can only see stuff for your freelance project until you choose "Show all projects" in the View menu.

Well, that's how I'd approach this. Perhaps it'll help you too?