An excerpt from a piece I wrote at The Projects Brighton.
Has it ever hit you that you have no discretion in your current role alongside the fact it feels so dull and un-inspiring? This happened to me and coincided with a massive change in my personal life so I decided I had to get away. The final straw that hit my camel's back was the denial of a sabbatical, despite the fact I had put in 10 years hard graft for the NHS. So, I left.
The next thing I knew after some serious time out travelling in the world, I found myself in my car with everything I owned all around me, I was jobless, homeless and friendless, but I was the calmest I had ever been, talk about starting at the bottom of Maslow's Hierachy of Needs. My first stop was a youth hostel working for my keep, which occasionally involved cleaning human poo off the floor (true story) and then due to a series of events, leading from the hostel, I was inundated with freelance opportunities.
This really taught me don’t go for the job because of the cash and appreciate that when you have nothing you often work towards your true self from scratch. My experience has proved to me you really can ditch it all and make it happen if you aim towards that dream and if you’re prepared to do things a little differently. I know my current calm minded approach to work (but maybe not quite everything in life quite yet) has been born out of taking that chance 3 years ago. Reflecting on our recent Vision Boarding blog this gives one example of how you can subconsciously divert your attention towards the correct path.
For me becoming freelance was a natural step towards rebellion, we all have a bit of rebel in us. However, society as we know it still exists so to enable the dream to work, we have to also make practical decisions, which for me has always included having some employed work. Coming from the NHS, a huge hierarchical and bureaucratic beast, I have also always found it a hard challenge to accept the realisation that you can ‘just do’ things and that not everything is about climbing that hierarchy and PayScale.
On a practical level to avoid such anxiety its always good to have enough in the bank for a rainy day and accept that if needs be, you can do anything for money if you need to - we learn something from every opportunity, as I did even from the hostel. From a Philosophical stand point give yourself time to switch from the ‘doing’ narrative, I often chastised myself for just being when I had time off, interestingly I have also became much less materialistic - forget the Gucci, go travel instead.
To do you is so important so do what you love then regardless of the outcome you can ALWAYS find solace in the fact that you followed your heart and were true to yourself. As part of the freelance journey why not try out co-working, even if you are more of a head down quiet space type of person. You have the benefits of meeting those who can support you on your venture and really get to know them. You also have the benefit of feeling less isolated, being less distracted by shaving our bikini line etc and spending money on cake if you were previously opting for a cafe environment.
On top of this there is so much to learn and grow from; from events which are often reduced for members, skill sharing and general inspiration. I was brand new to co-working at the time of starting, but having worked in NHS offices that are more akin to coffins I knew the power of environment. So pick a space that is aesthetically pleasing to you, I crave light bright spaces like The Projects personally. Alongside this I love somewhere that I can create my working and social aura around.
On a purely personal level it is truly wonderful to be around other bad ass people who are fighting against the norm and pursuing their dreams, it gives you confidence that you’re on the right track.
You do You Gorgeous,
Lots of Love, Beck.
