It Changed My Life
Free to Fly
How I left my job to freelance
This year, I resigned from my paid position of ten years. It was a big, scary step, but I know I have made the right decision.
All my life, I have worked for others in a range of paid positions over two professions. I liked my job and my co-workers. The money was good and the work was secure, or so I thought. Then these certainties were upended.
First, a change of management led to a bullying culture within the organisation. Then COVID arrived. As an essential industry, we kept working, although for some of us, hours were cut. Our duties became far more complex and the manager more strident in her criticisms of everyone and everything. Most staff members were weighing their options and, in the event, three of us resigned in the space of three weeks.
I agonised over my decision. As a single parent, job security and a good income have been high on my priority list. I am in my 50s now: too young to retire, but possibly unable to find an appropriate replacement position. My anxiety and depression during this time were debilitating.
Eventually, I reached a decision to leave. I just resigned. As soon as it was done, I felt a burden lift from my shoulders and I knew it would be all right.
I was fortunate in having a modest amount of superannuation and leave to receive on leaving work, which enabled me to pay off my leased car and still leave a small sum in the bank for emergencies. Not everyone is in that position, so I am grateful for that advantage.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I did apply — unsuccessfully — for a few positions, but my heart was not in it. I had always thought wistfully of a future time (retirement, maybe…) when I would write.
Of course, I had been writing all along, scribbling since I was in high school. As an adult, in my paid work, I often wrote for publicity and professional development and I have had many pieces published in newspapers and professional publications. Writing for a living is more difficult and yet, more challenging.
Can I make this work as an occupation? I don’t know the answer yet, but in a leap of faith, I have added “freelance writer” to my social media bios. In the morning, after I have my coffee, I think about what I will write today and it is the best feeling in the world! Every day feels sunny when it holds so much promise.
Will anyone want to read my ramblings? That will become clear in time, but in the creating and crafting, I have found a joy I never experienced in my past work. I hope this pastime will make me a living, because I have become hedonistically addicted to food and shelter, but right now, I am having the time of my life! Thanks for sharing it with me.
