Have you ever given up your job to go self employed/do something creative?

[yellowbaglady]

I am about to go on mat leave so know I will be busy with a new born but when I return to work I am only only going back 2 1/2 days a week.

DP is really supportive of me using the other time to pursue something a bit more fulfilling and creative. If I could make a bit of money doing it even better although that is a bonus not a requirement.

I feel like this is a great opportunity but I don't know where to start. I'd like to do something arty/creative and thats as far as I get.

I’m self employed - but I do what I did before; so it’s quite different to starting something new, especially on maternity leave.

Do you have existing skills that you’d like to use, or will you be starting from scratch?

If the latter, I suppose you’d be best starting to explore what you like, and what you enjoy best and think you could make an income from!

It’s an exciting opportunity, best of luck.

Children's book?

Are you going to have childcare on those days? It's incredibly difficult to work, even in your own business, while looking after a baby/toddler. You miss out on a lot of time with them if you have your head in your phone/laptop/whatever craft stuff. And honestly, during nap times, you probably just want to sit down and do nothing, if you don't have some pressing household task to do. Or alternatively, you could do it evenings and weekends.

As for what, it depends what you're good at. Dh took a creative idea (in metalworking) and built it into a business that's turning over now about £300K a year. But it's something he had some expertise in and a passion for. I think you have to know what you love to do, especially if you are going to be devoting rare free time to it.

I sell my macrame on Etsy. It's an easy skill to learn if you're already crafty and you can make so many different things.

I started out of desperation after my other small business collapsed during lockdown.

Controlling how much work you have and when it needs to be done is the problem with any freelance career. DH and I are creative and yet again we are stuck at home as all our friends are going off on holiday, for some reason DH always had a job with a deadline in the summer holidays. I've actually had to snooze some people on Facebook because anymore pics of the Highlands in the sunshine will make me cry.

Do you think you'll have time?
I was a sahp and had no time for anything else and you'll be working half the week anyway.
Good luck, and best wishes. Just don't be surprised if you look back on this idea and laugh at your naivity.

I can draw and paint although I could definitely use some practise.

I studied design at university so could put that to use, but I would need to do some kind of refresher as I am lacking in confidence and up to date knowledge of certain parts. I was always a bit scared of it because it was very seasonal work so I wasn't sure how it would pan out financially over the winter months, I guess now that isn't such a huge issue. I have found a course for a diploma but it would cost me 7k so I would have to figure out how I would finance that but it's 2 days a week and could fit in to my maternity leave quite nicely! I guess

I lack confidence in a lot of things so perhaps that's where I need to start. I would just like to spend some of my working time doing something I enjoy and feel fulfilled by. I feel like lockdown has made me realise a lot of things need to change in my life and I don't want to go back to the way things were. I know what I don't want, I am just not sure what I do want.

I did 4 years at uni when I had my older children so I have done it before, it wasn't easy but it was doable.

DP works evening so would be around in the day to help with the baby.

I guess I need to have a good think.

I am aiming to do something low key (via etsy/ebay) but can only do this because we don't need my income (it would not make much money on a regular basis).

Like you, I have done a lot of thinking over lockdown and couldn't bring myself to return to work in an office (I've been a sahm for quite a while now). But at the same time I feel I need to do something to improve my self esteem etc. My youngest is going to pre-school soon but I don't plan to launch anything until they start school (but can work on getting the business up together in the meantime, especially whilst little one is at pre-school).

It is possible to be creative when baby naps etc. but with working as well, you might find yourself becoming frustrated. Maybe studying is the way to go. Can't advise but you will need to factor in tiredness etc. if baby doesn't sleep.

Wishing you lots of luck. I understand how you have reached this way of thinking (I'm likely a fair bit older than you and wish I had this realisation earlier).