I’ve created the space to breathe, so why doesn’t that feel good?

Reflections on Freelancer Loneliness

Between 2014–2016 I worked a part time job 2–3 days a week to bring me income while I explored my business ventures.

It was a casual office job filled with people who were in transition after teaching — some setting up social enterprises, some launching creative careers, some just having a breather after burning out in the classroom.

To me, this job was a holding pen. As each of my colleagues got a new job, or grew their business enough to no longer need to work there, the fact that I was still there really bothered me.

I longed for the day when I would be free from this office job and could work full time on my business. That would be the absolute DREAM.

In 2016 I left that job, moved to Devon to live with my parents and worked full time on Power of Uke, the Female Founders Accelerator and Rye Laughs. As I’ve shared before it was the first time I had ever really stopped. I had evenings in for the first time in my life. Meals and baths and books to read. It was a total revelation and contrast to my 5-plans-an-evening London pace.

In Jan 2017, with my new ‘I don’t need to be busy anymore’ attitude, I moved back to London and had a year of real flow — running projects I loved, managing my own time, and even taking 5 weeks off in the summer to walk the camino. I had found this beautiful balance of work and play. I…