Dreaming Big - A road to Freelance
Life Changing
I have made a huge, uncharacteristic decision. I left my job, without a prospective job in the wings. I did not make this decision lightly, there were multiple conversations with my husband that included some serious number crunching. As much as we try to be 50/50 on bills, we have both been great at picking up the slack if the other needs it. These conversations were triggered by some uncouth emails I had received from my direct supervisor.
It is absolutely true what they say, people quit bosses not jobs. I had even gone so far as to draft a resignation letter a few weeks before the final straw. However, I had never left a job without first having an offer from another job/company. The thought of not having my own safety net was petrifying.
This is interesting because for some time now I had been playing with the idea of changing careers. This specific job had really turned me off to the work involved, and after some research I realized that moving up in this path meant giving up my weekends and my holidays. After going through a pandemic and keeping my nose to the grindstone, working 24/7 does not sound appealing.
Inspiration
The day before the final straw I met my amazing cousins in the city for an afterwork drink. Both of them suggested that I get out now, that there were plenty of jobs, and that with my work ethic I would fit in anywhere. One of them even brought up Freelance Writing, since I had had such a passion for writing in the past. She herself has done freelance marketing and is amazing, you absolutely should check her out SophiaWegman.com.
So here I am doing my best to start freelance writing. My degree is in English Writing, and I have always loved (and dreaded) a good blank page. I’m doing research on how and where to start, but I have to be honest I’m just happy to be putting words to paper, or in this case words to page. I will also be working on some works of fiction, some short stories, maybe even some poetry to make sure those creative juices keep flowing.
The Future
Looking back, I am so grateful to my husband and my cousins for helping me make this change. Even though leaving was scary, I feel like a weight has been lifted and the door that just opened has an awe inspiring view.
So my advice here is do the scary thing, obviously I am coming from a place where I have financial and emotional support, and maybe you’re not there and that is ok. If you’re not happy, find a way to be happy. If you don’t fit in a job, don’t change yourself, change the job. You deserve to live your life, you should be working to live not living to work.
Find something you love and find the best way for you to take that road, open that door, and RUN!