Hi Cold Brew Community
Writing this while sipping on an Iced Latte, not a Cold Brew-kinda-day, but we’ll push through!
Today's newsletter is going to be a bit personal as I share my journey of quitting my 9-5 to pursue content creation full-time. This one's for those who aspire to be their boss and take the leap into self-employment. Let me start by sharing a bit of my story…
Last year in September, I decided to quit my corporate career as an Associate Instructional Designer. While I wasn't earning a full-time income from content creation at that point, the toxic work environment, my mental health, and my desire to be a full-time content creator pushed me to take a leap of faith. As cliche as it sounds, I watched this scene from Into the Spiderverse before submitting my resignation!
I also waited for the right moment (the Mid-Year Bonus) to sustain myself till my content creation business takes off. Quitting a steady job to chase your dreams is never an easy decision, but I knew it was the right one for me. Since it’s been a year now, Here are five lessons I've learned along the way:
Lesson 1: The Comparision Trap
Let's talk about norms, especially those ingrained in my country. After completing a bachelor's degree, it's almost expected of everyone to follow the well-trodden path of securing a 9-5 job or pursuing a Master's degree. In my community, I found that hardly anyone deviated from these options, even Arts & Humanities students. The pressure to conform to this societal norm can be overwhelming, leading to constant comparisons and self-doubt.
As I observed those around me, I couldn't help but notice their seemingly perfect lives showcased on Instagram stories. They took lavish vacations during long weekends, jetted off to Europe for their Master's degrees, and seemed to be living my dream life. Each time I scrolled through their joyful moments, I couldn't help but wish I could be living a similar life.
But here's the truth—I realized that behind those carefully curated Instagram stories, there's a whole world that remains unseen. So, I made a conscious decision to break free from the comparison trap. I reduced my personal Instagram usage to once a month for a few minutes, or sometimes even less. This small shift allowed me to regain control over my own happiness and focus on my own unique journey.
But I would be lying if I tell you that I completely stopped falling into the constant comparison loop, but taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture of why I started usually helps.
Lesson 2: : Navigating Loneliness & Connection
When I made the leap into full-time content creation, I didn't expect to face a challenge that caught me by surprise: loneliness. As I transitioned from my previous job to working for myself, I realized that it became harder to make friends and find a sense of belonging.
In a traditional job, I was used to having coworkers around, chatting at the water cooler, and going on team outings. I even made some close friends who fell out of touch after I quit. As a content creator working from home, I found myself missing those daily interactions. It was tough to adjust to the solitude and not have colleagues to bounce ideas off of or share victories and challenges with.
I longed for the connection and support that comes from being part of a supportive work environment. Seeing others on social media enjoying vacations or pursuing advanced degrees made me question my choices and occasionally feel envious.
I am still navigating through this challenge and trying to look for friends and social life in Book clubs, Meet-ups, Co-Working spaces and even Bumble BFF at times.
Lesson 3: Dealing with Unpredictable Income
One of the biggest challenges I faced after leaving my full-time job was dealing with the unpredictability of my income. Unlike a steady paycheck that comes with a traditional job, being a content creator meant that my earnings fluctuated from month to month.
This financial uncertainty brought a new level of stress and required careful budgeting and financial planning. I had to learn to navigate the feast or famine cycle, where some months were financially abundant, while others were lean.
Even after trying to cope with this financial uncertainty by living frugally, budgeting every month and saving for emergencies, I still fell short of a safety net during a crisis. For instance, I fell ill twice this year which caused me to go into debt as well as live paycheck to paycheck.
Lesson 4: All the free time in the world isn’t always a perk
Work-Life balance is a myth for me. One of the common misconceptions about being self-employed or pursuing your own passion is that you'll have endless free time. However, I quickly realized that having all the free time in the world isn't always a perk.
Without the structure of a regular job, it was easy to fall into unproductive habits or procrastination. I found myself getting caught up in non-essential tasks or losing focus. It was essential for me to establish a routine and prioritize my time effectively.
Since I am accountable for myself, it is even tougher to cultivate healthy routines and habits.
Lesson 5: 100X harder to build from scratch
Having so many ideas but understanding that you need money to make money was a tough realisation for me.
Starting from scratch without significant financial investment or established connections can be a daunting task. As a content creator, I didn't have the luxury of relying on a network or financial support from my parents ( as someone who cut off her family due to abuse).
But I quickly learned that determination and resourcefulness can go a long way. Instead of dwelling on what I lacked, I focused on leveraging the resources available to me.
I engaged with my audience and built relationships through social media, which reminds me to thank you! Thank you for reading this far.
Despite the challenges, what keeps me going is the small milestones I hit and the big achievements I already conquered. I'm determined to make a difference through my content and create a supportive community around it.
If you're on a similar path or contemplating a similar journey, I'm open to connecting and sharing experiences. Feel free to reach out to me via email. (ayesha.a@lifeofaye.me)
Thank you for being a part of the Cold Brew Community. Your support means the world to me as I continue to grow and create.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Best Regards,
Aye