Life as a Freelancer: Week #1

Today officially wraps up my first full week as a FT freelancer. Spoiler alert, however—I am still looking for a full-time, non-freelancing job. I certainly hope my writing projects will come flooding in, and I have a few articles on tap (plus I’ve been sending out LOI’s like a crazy lady), but I have to face facts that a writing business can take some time to build, and I really like my cable TV and electricity, so I might have to head back to the grind sooner than I’d expected.

BUT—I’m happy to say that my first week has gone pretty well. My fellow work-at-homers were right: it is hard to establish a schedule and stick to it…not to mention getting others to respect it, too. I’ve had to run out due to various appointments, but I was able to wrap up a long-lingering article and sidebar today, and I’m planning to start lining up some interviews for a few other articles I’ve just been assigned.

Last night my business partner and I attended a networking event and handed out a lot of business cards. We made some pretty good connections, so we’re both hoping this leads to some projects.

I had a rough few weeks leading up to my last day at the job, and I’m definitely still grappling with moments of pure panic, but I’m trying to power through my fear. I’m trying to focus on my writing projects and see every day as a new opportunity, but it’s hard to break my usual habits of worrying and over-thinking everything.

How is everything in your writing world?

So This Is What Changing Your Life Looks/Feels Like

OK guys--big announcement time!

The first time I said these words, they didn't quite have the excitement I thought they would. They came out more with a definite tone of uncertainty (or was it fear?) But, here goes:

I QUIT MY JOB.

AND I'LL BE FREELANCING! LIKE, FOR AWHILE! FULL-TIME!

Ah. There. Finally--I put it out there in a BIG way, as I'd hoped to do at the office.

For many reasons, for many months (years?), I've been toying with this idea. Then a few things happened a few weeks ago that definitely got me thinking. And once I decided that I couldn't turn back, well...I didn't turn back!

But I have to admit, it's not the sweet relief I expected. I'm feeling a bit of everything right now. Excitement. Relief. Overwhelmed. And yes, still a healthy dose of white-knuckled fear, which has been keeping me glued to the keyboard these past few days.

And let me tell you, the stress has been working better than any diet plan ever could!

I'm also finished with my job NEXT WEEK. Once I decided to get out, I've wanted OUT! It's weird to still have one toe in that world, trying to finish up whatever needs finishing, and frantically trying to line up some writing work for After I Leave. It's surreal and great and I don't know what else!

So I'm not sure if this will be short-term or long-term, but this will be my life for awhile. I've contacted editors I haven't worked for in years, and my sudden freedom is forcing me to get creative. I'm dreaming up writing courses for all sorts of folks, and saying "yes" to work I wouldn't normally consider. I need some sort of income stream until the bigger things start coming in.

They will come in, won't they?

I'm also using this time to give my copywriting venture a much-needed, long-delayed jumpstart and working on my capstone project for my Master's program. I'm also willing to teach virtually any class that has an "ENG" prefix at 3 community colleges.

So that's the good word. I've jumped. Stay tuned for how I make out over the next few weeks!

What's happening in your world lately? Have you jolted yourself into doing something completely unlike you (just as this is for me) recently?