Bit of a downer coming but really do think this through very carefully.
A “friend” gave up a stable, well paid job with pension, holiday entitlement, sicknpay etc to start a business.
Work their arse off for two years and then a number of factors, that genuinely were their fault, meant it had potential to do really well but wasn’t and they were skint.
Worked harder and harder, borrowed, paid out in interest, for seriously depressed and stressed and needed nothing more than a couple of weeks off and a proper break. Dr advised six weeks off initially, probably three months due to the nature of the depression, it’s impact on the ability to work, and the physical symptoms the depression and stress were bringing about.
Now that’s fine, although far from ideal, when you are employed because you get time off and get paid, and probably get left alone to recover.
It’s not even remotely a viable option when you are self employed and struggling for cash flow. It’s a viscous circle and it’s horrific.
My “friend”’definitely got to a very dark and low place, not helped by the social isolation of going from a job where you interact with people all day to a time when you are by yourself, working long hours and due to trying to limit spending you don’t have the time or money to even socialise with friends.
Self employment can be great for a lot of people, but for a lot of others it’s nowhere near what they expected and can destroy their lives.
Despite this, people just assume if you work for yourself you are minted and hardly have to do anything.