It’s been two weeks! (Technically, by the time you are reading this, it will be two weeks and one day, Miss Precisepants.) Two weeks since the day I unceremoniously quit my job. Yes, yes, I have been talking a lot about this, but it’s a big deal.
Freelancing has been going remarkably well. I’ve been so lucky to be able to do work with so many fabulous, creative people these last couple of weeks. I love all of you to bits.
Things have gotten less scary. They really have – and that’s exciting! I am living my dream right now.
Is it everything it was cracked up to be?
It is and it isn’t. It is in that I get to make the rules. I get to set my own rates and cut the starving artists a break. I decide what’s a priority and sometimes my biggest priority is going to the beach for two hours in the middle of the day, and guess what! That’s okay!
On the other hand, it’s hard. It’s really, really hard. I am exhausted and I can’t seem to get un-exhausted. I can’t turn off. I work constantly. My iPhone is in my hand before I’ve even wiped the sleep from my eyes in the morning, loading email to see who needs what. I’ve spent so much time and energy lining up work and having meetings and doing admin stuff that it’s sort of difficult to find time for the ACTUAL work — the stuff I’m getting paid to do. Some mornings, I’ll look at the clock and realize two and a half hours have passed and all I’ve managed to do is reply to email.
I am absolutely not complaining. This is a GREAT problem to have – and the truth is that I LOVE what I am doing. I am so incredibly lucky that I have such supportive friends and such amazing clients and an absolute saint of a boyfriend.
This week, I’ve been realizing how surprisingly difficult it is to work from home. Noah and I are usually together in our office (which is a huge room in our apartment — bigger than our living room, even), but the last couple of days, he’s been gone for most of the day. (Yesterday he was gone taking photos for a client and mountain biking, and today he was just on the other side of the apartment, deep cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. Because he’s a saint, if I haven’t mentioned that.) This has been pretty lonely and kind of weird. I do miss the crazy antics of my former coworkers sometimes.
It’s been an incredible learning experience so far, though. I love it, and I’m so happy. I just need to figure out when to stop working, and maybe work from coffeeshops more often, and things will be smooth sailing. (Right? Ha.)
» Filed Under happiness, personal
4 Responses to “The Two Week Update”
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In case I haven’t sent you a message saying this before, I’m incredibly proud of you. And a bit jealous, of course! There are people in the world that when you meet them you KNOW they’re going to be a bright shining star, I knew that about you the second we met
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Yes, dear. I hear you. It is tough to figure out, and I don’t even think I have the swing of things yet. Some weeks, I’m perfectly happy to hole up in my little office and pine away at my computer. Other times, I’m stir crazy, and I can’t get anything worth doing done here. I go to my friend’s house *when she’s not home* just to get the real stuff done.
But that’s what I love about it, too. I’ve learned to embrace the inconsistency and just love that I have the freedom to change as “what works” changes. Excited for you!
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hi there…
i was led to your blog via a chain of twitter explorations, and am thankful i found it! i’m in the midst of making similar changes in my life, and just started my own blog, so perhaps at some point, i’ll hire you to help me with that! in the meantime, i’ll enjoy the inspiration i receive from you insights…
with gratitude,
Lisa
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Oh my what a whirlwind you’ve been experiencing. I freelanced for 5 years and remember all too well the juggling act of administrative, marketing, and design work. I loved my client briefings, drafting up contracts and proposals, but hated with passion the accounts payable and receivables. I remember each day thinking about “billable” hours. There are so many trade-offs. Working from home definitely has it’s challenges. Definitely schedule time for yourself — trust me I know! I would work 7 days a week and spoil my ADD clients who wanted to reach me whenever they wanted. Healthy boundaries is one of the most important lessons in life.
Cheers to your courage!
Enjoy the ride.
{soul hugs}
Kathryn
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