Going it alone

Making the decision to work contract/freelance was not an easy one for me. Over the course of my career I've made several half-hearted attempts to start something of my own, to turn that side hustle into my main hustle, and get paid. But the comfort of a secure, well-paid permanent role always seemed to take precedence. In other words I was scared to fully take that step into what to me seemed like uncharted territory.

So what changed? Several things really. With age comes experience which also provides a certain level of confidence in one's abilities. But more than that was this restlessness with my life as it was, as well as the realisation that I was working really hard to make someone else's dreams come true while mine took a back seat.

So here I am now fully self-employed, after two years contracting with different organisations (through recruitment agencies) to give me a taste of what it might be like to work for myself. And we're in the midst of a global pandemic! Probably not the best time to go it alone. Or is it?

I believe that in the midst of adversity, there is opportunity - you just have to be open to it and take hold when it presents itself. I've been really fortunate to not only secure a client (through a former work colleague) for a few months to provide some much needed income, but also enter into a joint business venture with another. Five years ago I never would envisioned being where I am now - being a business woman and choosing my own projects. Is it scary? Yes. Do I worry sometimes about where the next contract, client, paycheck will come from? Yes. But do I love what I do? Absolutely!

#workingfromhome #selfemployment