Being a freelance writer is a lot like being Rodney Dangerfield: You get no respect. Your friends and family all look at you like you are an unemployed freeloader.
Sometimes I actually feel that way, too. But I have to remind myself that while I’m not necessarily better off than I was when I was a secretary in a large corporation, I’m no worse off, either. I lived every day in fear when I was a legal hack, worried that my overlords weren’t happy, or that my job wasn’t secure. It wasn’t, you know. It no longer exists. The company itself – around since the early 1900’s – lies in tatters, barely holding on.
It is very scary to be completely dependent on yourself, but it’s no less scary to be dependent on others. My ex-husband gives me that “poor Wendy” look, thinking about how unemployed I am. I’m not! In the past 3 months I’ve built a business that brings in about half what I made as a secretary. Not a lot, but a little more every week. And soon I will pass that salary and really be cooking! I started this freelance business when I was cornered – homeless and stateless, unable to find any work outside the home at all – and in 3 short months I have nearly gotten on my feet.
Yes, I might lose a client or two along the way. So might the XYZ Corp that someone else works for. If I lose a client, I can get another one quickly – or two or three – to fill the void, whereas XYZ Corp might just decide to cut that person’s position to save money.
Is that secretary really better off than I am?
The fact is, I am looking out for myself, whereas someone in Corporate Hell probably has no one at all looking out for them. This is my job. Don’t pity me for it. I have never been happier in my life.
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2 users responded in this post
I walked out of a quite well-paid job slaving very long hours as a legal supervisor. Couldn’t stand the numpties “managing” me so badly. Always wanted to get back to being a profeshonal writer.
Ex-colleagues still have lunch with me on occasion and they occasionally (but with reducing frequency) invite me to social nights out they’re having. Whenever they meet me they either ask little about what I do – perhaps jealousy and misconception – or assume I’m close to drawing welfare … “and anyway, it’s ok to take a part-time job when you’re starting a business” …
I spent months making very little money as I set up my business (websites, business cards, etc, etc) but am getting by well and am confidently looking forward to 2009 even in this difficult economy.
Not being churlish but I have little interest in the vast majority of my ex-colleagues. They gossip in the same way and talk about the same old things I used to.
I haven’t the heart to tell them that I’m about to throw in a lucrative legal consultancy my (humble once they realised what they’d lost – yes, modesty is a fault of mine – and offered me more for one day’s work than I made in well over a week previously. I’m chucking it in because other opportunities are already opening up and coming together for 2009.
So I savoured your short post and it feels good to know that other people out there made similar leaps and have no regrets either. Building an income does take time and perhaps sacrifice. But it’s the best thing I ever did.
The very best of luck for 2009 and Happy New Year when it comes. Wishing you continued health and happiness.
russell (in the UK)
The festive gin is obviously going down well … beautifully proofread penultimate para!
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