Life, Today

Life, Today

Sometimes I find life more jarring than I think most people can understand. As I wait for contract renegotiations at my day job (which are taking FOR-FREAKING-EVER and I’m very frustrated by it) I’m only working three days a week. Which means that I have four days a week off.

 

Life, Today

 

It’s actually a very nice balance, if only I could afford to fund a household on three days per week of salary. I can only barely scrape by on that, if I’m lucky. It’s not practical, basically!

 

The days “off” are good though. I spent Friday and Saturday doing nothing at all. See beach pictures below for evidence of that.

Beachside

 

Three Trees

 

I really love where I live.

 

I then worked on the launch of my eCourse for Bloggers and Bacon for most of Sunday and Monday.

 

It is a dream to have that amount of time available to blogging. Even with a few days of lousy sleep, I was able to stretch and walk and work when I felt good, stop to read when I needed a break and generally do what I wanted to.

 

It’s a nice snapshot into my long term goal of working for myself. Working with my own ebbs and flows of energy is so much nicer than pretending to be “on” when I’m really not.

 

Do you work for yourself on any scale? How do you manage working with your own energy?

 

14 Replies to “Life, Today”

  1. Once upon a time, I DID used to work for myself (first partially, and then for a brief period, fully), but for a number of reasons, it just didn’t suit me, and I wouldn’t repeat the experience again.

    I missed having colleagues, I missed actually *enjoying* writing (when I started freelance copywriting – primarily for real estate agencies and web design agencies – I found that, sadly, constructing sentences quickly became a chore!), I missed consistent pay (invoices were rarely paid on time), and I missed being part of an environment outside of my own home office.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      Not enjoying writing is a factor that has scared me off of going after freelance writing work, that’s for sure!

  2. Yup, sure do. Started my own business 3 years ago – Front Page Web Writing – specialising in WordPress websites, SEO, social media support and writing for the web. I *love* it! Esp the flexiblity to manage my own workload/routines. Today for example I had bad hay fever in the morning so took a tablet which promptly knocked me out. After a 3 hour nap I felt much better, so guess who will be working tonight … lucky I love it!

    Gorgeous beach pics BTW

    Visiting from #teamIBOT x

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      That is the ideal thing – when you feel bad, you can just take care of it! No needless GP appointments for certificates, sometimes you just need a nap and to let your body heal itself of minor things.

  3. I am fortunate enough to have worked for myself for the last ten years. I’ve run my own virtual assitance business and then branched out to social media management. Then for three years while studying writing, I ran my own dance wear business (which wasn’t as flexible) and now I do my copywriting and writing from home, combined with accounts for hubby’s business. I love the freedom and flexibiity and do realise how fortunate I am to be able to do this. But as much as people say I’m lucky, it’s more than just luck. We have worked hard to be able to be in this position. And it’s not for everyone. I do miss that office banter that comes from working with others, but make up for it on social media 😉
    Good luck with your journey, I’m sure you will get there. x

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      I’ve wondered about doing VA work because admin work is one aspect of my triple-sided career/jobs/life. But for now I’m pretty happy to work in the office with nice people – it’s the commute I don’t like!

  4. I work for myself and find the hardest bits are motivating myself when I want to slack off and the lack of irl sounding boards that you get in offices.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      The lack of sounding board would be hard – especially when you need something to help you creatively.

  5. I work part time too and have recently re-negotiated my contract. All I can say is, I feel your pain. It’s a tedious and slow process.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      It really is. I mean, I like where I am but aaaahh bureaucracy I hate all the time and everywhere!

  6. How marvellous to have that time to yourself. I’d be spending lots of time chilling out with a book and at the beach but I would also get a stock pile of writing for th eblog done so when I get busy it is all there waiting to go.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      It has been nice – I’m not sure how long I will have the four days off for so I’m trying to enjoy them and appreciate them a lot!

  7. I want to work partly for myself but I’m shit scared. I would still need to do my psych job {out of love too} at least 3 days a week.

    It must be tough sometimes waiting for contract after contract….but I think at the same time, it gives you the courage to do something for yourself and take that plunge of starting your own business.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      The great benefit of contract work is that I don’t have the fear of leaving security behind to work for myself – because it really isn’t that secure!

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