Is being self-employed a double-edge sword?

[stickygotstuck]

I am sick and tired of being self-employed - I think! And I was just wondering if anybody else is seriously thinking of leaving your self-employed work and swap it for a 'normal' job. Has anyone gone from self-employed to employed and not regretted it? Surely I can't be the only one who finds the flexibility rather a double-edge sword!

For some background, the last 5 years have been tough. Sure, I have been 'functioning' but it's been a long list of loss, including bereavement, DH being made redundant twice and being in a shit job which pays 1/3 less, falling rates in my sector and undiagnosed PND. I am prone to depression anyway and I don't handle the constant worry very well at all.

The bottom line is I do a lot of juggling and have little energy left, I'm sick with worry that work will dry out, I'm in tears most days and have been struggling for years now. DD is now 5 but I still struggle with the pressure of the stupid hours and feast or famine nature of self-employed work. Plus DD, plus housework, plus finding some brain space to handle the black dog .

I am wondering whether being employed would make life easier. The difficult part is that I probably earn what I would earn in employment after taking childcare into account, as now I can take DD to school and pick her up. I'm even managing to work while she's on holiday (see?!)

[twentyten]

Good luck sticky! Good priorities- sorting these will help.

[madamemuddle]

Good suggestion for previous poster. If you can get those things sorted you might feel a bit better about things.

Let us know how you get on.