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Positive stories of going freelance when you didn't plan to

6 replies

StressedSquirrel · 22/02/2023 11:31

Found myself in a very shitty situation. I changed jobs at the end of maternity leave, for a role that was 100% remote. It was supposed to be a step up, and the remote aspect fitted in better with nursery pick ups and drop offs ( in my old role, I had to be in London 2x per week and it was a 1.5 hour commute each way).

The new job turned out to be a nightmare. The people that ran it were insane micromanagers who over-promised to their clients and ran their staff into the ground to deliver on unrealistically tight deadlines.

I stuck it out for four months, until a hellish couple of weeks where I barely saw my DS due to being overworked. I was one of three people to resign in the space of a month (in a team of just 7!).

Going back to my old job isn't an option. They would love to take me back, but don't have the need/budget to take anyone on in my area at the moment.

I have been searching for jobs a month, and there really isn't that much that looks suitable, and I am really wary of the risk of joining an awful company again.

I am mid career, and always wanted to go freelance, but not quite this early. However, due to the lack of good perm options it seems like I will have to give it a go now.

I just wondered if anyone else was forced by circumstance to go freelance earlier than they planned, and how it worked out?

OP posts:
Cherryana · 22/02/2023 19:26

Necessity is the mother of invention.

If you can try it - why not try it. Also it doesn’t have to be all of nothing. You could try and get some leads and also keep an eye out for another role.

Blowsybabs · 22/02/2023 19:32

I wasn't forced to as such, I took voluntary redundancy and it's working out well, but I'm semi retired and didn't need to earn a lot.

Join the Facebook groups Freelance Heroes and the Freelance Lifestylers.

Get very active on LinkedIn - Helen Tudor/Reynolds on Facebook has great advice.

It can take at least 6 months for any income to start coming in and your existing contacts will be the best source of work - make sure they know you're available and what your offer is.

BluebellBlueballs · 22/02/2023 20:07

I'm currently considering this as I was totally mis sold my current role and its making me miserable. But I still get a regular paycheck which is making me think twice.

I'd love to take the plunge if I get brave enough. Hope it works out for ypu.

StressedSquirrel · 22/02/2023 20:34

@BluebellBlueballs I feel your pain! It's a shame that there's no way to sue an employer for false advertising!

OP posts:
BluebellBlueballs · 22/02/2023 21:24

StressedSquirrel · 22/02/2023 20:34

@BluebellBlueballs I feel your pain! It's a shame that there's no way to sue an employer for false advertising!

Yes, in my field I'd be looking at contracting on projects/ fixed term contracts but it's still a risk financially.

I'm applying for other roles but the market's dead and part of me just can't be bothered to go through all the hoop jumping yet again...

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 22/02/2023 22:53

I was in a similar situation to you. Resigned with nothing to go to. Worked freelance for 5 years. Loved it. Only stopped when I had DD and needed regular hours and working location.

You'll be fine Op - there's always work out there. I used my freelance years to take a breather from a bad run of toxic workplaces. I am now very happy working in a large company where I'm treated really well.

Good luck... you've done the right thing Flowers

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