Freelance career ideas

[Blueskyes]

Hey all,

My partner and I are starting to discuss having a child, and so I'm starting to think about things I can do working from home.

I was made redundant and currently contribute to our life using my rental flat income.

I'm really enjoying the freedom of not being in an office etc (actually really, really love it) - but would like to get back to earning a lot more and contributing in a more significant way, as I've always worked and love it.

I'm super creative and crafty and I'm starting an Etsy business, but would like to keep building up streams of income, while I have the time on my hands.

Any advice on work that can be done from home? I have a degree but don't fancy doing another, but happy to do a short course to learn something new.

E.g. today I was looking at bookkeeping but thought it'll be best to open up to suggestions, as a springboard of what's out there that works.

Thanks in advance. :)

What are you good at or interested in?

But be realistic that working from home with children is not all it’s cracked up to be. Unless you intend to just have a little Etsy business to earn some pocket money, you’ll need childcare just like everyone else. It’s not possible to work from home and run a proper business with children clinging to your legs. I’ve worked from home for 6 years at least part of the week if not full time and except for rare exceptions (late nights after bedtime or catching up on emails on my day off), my kids have been in childcare. It’s just not feasible any other way unless you want to be a pretty non-present parent (and then what’s the point?).

Also give some consideration to how much you actually want to be home. Honestly after a year stuck at home with my maternity leaves, each time I couldn’t run back to work (or anywhere besides the four walls of my house!) fast enough. It’s really hard being stuck at home with no adult conversation and I love going into the office now just to see other adults! So try to just stay flexible and plan for all possibilities as things may look very different when you actually have a baby.

Hey @mindutopia,

Thanks so much for the reply.

I hadn't thought about it in that way. Really good food-for-thought for me to go away and really drill down on.

I held a senior position in the industry I was in and it had drained me so much that I didn't recognise myself (then the redundancy happened) and so I went to work in a less stressful role and that bored me to tears.

Creating this Etsy business has brought me back to life again, and it's inspired me. I want to build on the freedom from a 9-5 and was just open to any ideas to look into and see the potential for upscale or downscale in regards to my time. And because of my upbringing I've seen this lifestyle work.

I grew up in a family business so was used to being around my folks 24-7, literally.

My partner already has a child and I only really want one little bundle of joy.

I haven't drilled down the fine details of childcare, but my partner works from home the half of the time and my family are close at hand. My parents only have one grandchild who is now a moody teenager, lol, and are chomping at the bit for a bouncy little baby to keep their retired hands busy. I actually go to their house where I converted the shed in their garden to my studio, as we didn't have the space for one. And my sister is a stay-at-home-mum of said moody teenager and we are super close, too. So I've got a nice little village there.

My social circle are pretty solid, some have kids so strolls around parks for a catch-up have been a staple diet.

I feel confident to start planning for a child, we have a good couple of years before we take the plunge, I really would just like to use this time to build another thing up to give me some autonomy over my life.

I've got a great personality and I'm pretty adventurous so I'm good at adapting when hell hits - but I know this is right for me.

Adding a baby to the mix, yup, you really don't know what palava that will bring to best made plans, however I got a good support system in place to buffer me, I just really want to give this a shot.

(Just realised this is an absolute essay) lol