photo by arian soheili
i had such an overwhelming amount of support when i took my leap from a stable job to freelance only. it was scary and there were definitely a few moments where i said to myself, "bri, are you an idiot?" the first week i woke up everyday with this strange feeling in my stomach. maybe it was anxiety, or who knows maybe i was just hungry. i had been so used to waking up early and working on freelance projects and then rushing off to my day job with my hair a mess and no breakfast, so it has taken me some getting used to. it has been nice teaching myself to slow down.
it is now the third week i think? today was the first day that i just woke up and i could breathe easily and know that everything was going to be okay. (i know this sounds a bit weird, but i know there are lots of people out there dying to make the same leap and i am sure they want to know how it all feels) so this morning i invented some sort of whack but delicious egg scramble for my boyfriend and i, made coffee and just relaxed on the porch. why do i need to check my emails the very second i wake up? i don't! at first i thought this freelance thing was stressful and always a hustle, but it's really not. some mornings you might not even have to work at all if you plan out your week right!
so i guess i just wanted to say, i am slowly getting the hang of things. and that feels really really good.
41 comments:
Yay! You're an inspiration, Bri.
thanks for sharing girl! x
hip hip hurray!
i know exactly how you feel...at first, i had anxiety about waking up and not having the set routine, but you get used to it and you learn to LOVE it ;) so glad you're settling into it -- the projects you have been working on are SO inspiring!
xo,
joAnn
ps. i love whack scrambled eggs...
Congrats on going it on your own! I started my own independent clothing line last August after leaving the day job and I also ask myself, quite often, "Bri, are you an idiot?" (I'm a Brianne). Hang in there! You will love it!
Brianne
PetalPetal designs
www.PetalPetal.com
Congrats! That's awesome to hear, although I have to admit that my life isn't quite there yet. I decided to start my own photography business after graduation and a month later I'm still in the glued-to-my-computer-and-stressing-about-money stage. BUT it's good to know there's hope! :D
-giedre
www.walkingdotblog.com
CONGRATS! Cannot wait for that.
Amen to that! Way to go for knowing how to balance your life and make the most of your day.
Cheers!
Anna
This is really amazing and timely to read Bri! I'm heading in the same direction and feel that I'm now just finding my own feet with it too. As scary as it initially felt, I'm beginning to see it's the only way I want to do things.
Thanks for reminded push!
Mélanie
Seriously, it's the best feeling. I used to have mini panic attacks because I had "down time" and I didn't know what to do with it. now I love being able to meet for friends for lunch, plan my weeks, and actually feel balanced and fulfilled. I know I've probably already said this, but... I am so proud and excited for you!
Bri-
Thanks so much for this. It hits home right now, I'm also one to be a total nut and want to freelance and have the liberty of my own schedule/life/plans/desicions. And I know what you mean by waking up anxious and the day has barely began. But the more I worry the less I enjoy it, so I'm slowly getting the hang of it as well. The trick is to come up with our own schedule/routine that feels right, at our own pace that just happens not to involve managers telling us what to do, yay!! In the long run, freelancing and pursuing our creative dreams is going to be one of the greatest decisions we look back on.
Thanks.
Arleene
Where's the like button? :)
I love the freelance life! It was the best thing I ever did.
best of luck as you continue your journey!
Bri, this is truly inspiring :) My husband and I are in a strange limbo right now due to the Air Force- not enough time for me to find a job before we move, but I don't have enough to courage to fully jump into freelancing. This post reminds me that I need to just go for it :) Thank you!
Bri,
I usually never comment on blogs, but I just wanted to let you know that as a fellow graphic designer, who has somedays had her struggles, you are beyond an inspiration! You have great work, but most importantly your passion and positivity seem to carry you through, which is just awesome. Reading your blog is always a breath of fresh air, so keep the color, typography and witty humor a 'coming!
Congrats on the leap and all that will come with your new career! :) You deserve it!
So exciting! Best wishes for your future freelance endeavors :)
yay..love that!
Congrats on the big leap! I love seeing people go for their passions - It helps me with my own decision-making in that career realm. You only get one life, right?!
Your post is very inspiring. I am not a designer, but I hope someday I can make the leap and do my own thing. I know the working two jobs - the day job and the side hustle - all too well. And the messy hair and no breakfast? Ditto! Working for yourself has to be easier than this right? I hope I can make the leap just like you one day.
Yessss!!!! i am feeling the same slowings!! It is all going to work out, one day at a time, Good luck with your new life!
Bri, I submit to everything above! This is a time of major changes for all of us on Earth. The ones who open their minds and their hearts sooner, will be blessed!! congrats!
Bri! So exciting - I hope you'll keep sharing your progress with us. I love all your regular posts, but am fascinated to watch your leap into a brave new world. Enjoy it lady!
I adore your way to say things with humor: « maybe it was anxiety, or
who knows maybe i was just hungry ». Hahaha, This is the quote of the
weekend! And, just to say, I totally understand the feeling. For me, it
comes and goes according to the business or career decisions I make or
in good or bad periods of the year.
Have a nice break!
oh dear bri,
thanks for posting this, now I am even more looking forward to my freelance working. I am on the edge of leaving my stable job and becoming a freelance author - so many things to think about but also to look forward to!
thank you xoxo
That's awesome !!! I wish one day I could go for freelancing too :)
Beautiful! Wonderful blog!
xoxo,
colormenana.blogspot.com
that's so awesome to hear & thanks for the honesty.
You sound so happy! Congrats on the leap. I did it over a year ago and it took me almost a year to not be pinching myself every morning and relax a little too. Some days are hard, some are easy, but I'm so thankful (and happier) for the leap I took. This post is going to inspire a ton of people!
Thank you soooo much for sharing! I've also been thinking of (and planning) leaping into the freelance world, and for some reason, I feel very alone when I think of taking the jump. Your post has definitely inspired me to keep at it. xo
Congrats! You are an inspiration... I am hoping I have the guts to take my own leap in a few months, and your post makes me feel it is the right thing to do!
Totally inspired! It's hard enough doing freelance as a student, I can't imagine what it will feel like to do it for real without the safety net of school behind me. Keep it up, you are even more inspiring than your lovely blog!
http://two-and-twenty.blogspot.com/
this post is so inspiring! thank you thank you thank you...between full time work and trying to get the blog going it's like I never have a moment to rest...will definitely bookmark this post to come back to! xo
http://www.annawithlove.com
Hi! Just wanted to tell you how inspiring I find your blog! I'm an aspiring graphic designer who recently finished school and is trying to find a job/figuring out my life. To be able to work on freelance sometime in the future is my dream and I love reading about others that is actually realizing that dream. Kram (that's swedish for "hug") Sandra
Thank you for posting this. I'm familiar with that strange feeling in your stomach when you wake up in the morning and knowing that there are brilliantly talented people out there that feel the same way gives me infinite comfort. Stay positive : )
I know exactly what you mean! I recently read a great book that helped me out quite a bit... perhaps you might find it helpful. It's called, "My So-Called Freelance Life."
Congratulations! It will get easier and feel more natural with each passing day, I imagine. You are so brave and inspiring. I really love your work!
i did the opposite thing instead, idiot me! I was working as a freelance fashion designer for 3 labels and most of the times i could wake up when i wanted, get a slow and delicious breakfast, enjoy the beauty of a sunny day out riding my bike with my bf...but then i started missing the fulltime job part, the chatting and collaborating with colleagues and i did teh mistake of going to a job interview for a brand....they liked me, hired me and now i am oh so stressed!
Lucky you! I wish you a brand new super amazing life
amazing and inspiring. good job and good luck, seems like you'll be doing just fine on your own!
I´d love to feel that way someday! I´m still a "slave" to my work, or better said, to SOMEONE elses work... I hope I can find the way to become freelance only, and work in my projects with my clients... handling time is the most difficult thing for me, so I guess the leap is going to be hard.
Felicitaciones!
I'm so glad you shared this! I really want to freelance, but to be honest, I'm terrified of it at the same time. I know I need more experience under my belt first as well. I'd love to see more blog posts about your freelancing experiences! Thanks so much! xoxo - MaceyLou
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