The Best Things About Working For Yourself

Making the decision to go full time with my business was the best decision I have made. Whilst running a business is hard and can be very stressful at times, the good things from working for your self and being the boss outweigh these so much.

I left my full time job back at the beginning of 2021 for several reasons: 1. I was completely and utterly miserable in my job because I wasn't listened to, was made to feel like I was being a nuisance when asking questions (which has always been a struggle of mine) and generally the running of the company just wasn't good, with one person in particular causing me to hand my notice in on a bit of an impulse because I had had enough - you're mental health is so much more important than a job 2. there wasn't any more room for me to grow there and 3. I never got to actually use my design skills properly, it mostly was a case of using stock designs because they expected us to get through designs so quickly - there was none of this spending weeks if not months on one design, it was more like get 5 done in one day.

So, let's get on with these positives! Just want to note that not all these may be a positive for you, as we are all different.

No one else to answer to

You're the boss! I absolutely love being able to design and create exactly what I want - in my previous job I was always designing what other people wanted, and rarely had freedom to use my skills. Also, you have no one else nagging at you to do this, or do that - admittedly I nag myself, but that's okay!

Flexible working hours

You choose what hours and days you work. As someone with some health issues, being able to have the day off (or a few hours) when you need to is great. I used to always work whilst feeling awful in my previous job, and would cause myself more stress and anxiety. If I do take a day off or a few hours out, I can make that time up where I want to. I mean I do sometimes work every day, and often spend my evenings working on things.... running your own business is a 24/7 thing!

Getting to do what you love

I love what I do and I cannot imagine going back to a full time employed job, mostly because of the freedom you do have with running your business and being able to create what I like.

No awkward socialising

I have social anxiety and am definitely not a people person. I used to think that I couldn't work for myself because I needed to be around other people, despite not being a social person, and whilst sometimes it's nice to see a different face aside from my husbands (who also works from home), it really isn’t a big thing for me. I don't have to have those awkward morning chats in the office, or the dreaded coming back after a holiday and having to tell the same stories again and again and again... of course this isn't a positive for everyone, if you're a naturally chatty and extroverted person, you're going to thrive being around people, so working by yourself all day every day wouldnt be ideal!

Gives you opportunities

I have recently started volunteering for Cats Protection, which isn't necessarily something I could do working a full time job.

You meet some amazing people

I've spoken to so many other really lovely small business owners, and a couple I've already met, and this is because of having a small shop. I've chatted to so many lovely business owners and I'm really excited to meet so many of them when I do the Magical Market in November! (Tickets are still available!)

I'm sure theres probably more reasons and I want to keep this post positive and not list any negatives for working for yourself (which of course theres always going to be, but the positives far outweigh these), because Im very grateful that I get to do this as a job, but also proud of myself for getting to where I have.

Conclusion?

Working for yourself isn't for everyone, I didn't think it was something I would actually end up doing full time, but I am so grateful and happy that I can do this, and hopefully can do it for many more years!

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