A Whirlwind of Progress and Challenges

Month 3 has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Between exciting moments, unexpected challenges, and some valuable lessons, it feels like everything is moving at a rapid pace. As I reflect on this month, I’m realizing just how different self-employment is from the world I used to know.

Let's start with the highs. I had the chance to escape for a brief holiday to the coast, which was absolutely wonderful – until I was hit with a series of unfortunate events that landed me in the hospital overnight. Thankfully, I’m fine now, but it was a stark reminder of the realities of self-employment: no sick pay, no holiday pay, and a level of unpredictability that I’m still getting used to. Yet, these experiences only serve to highlight the importance of resilience. I’m learning that, even in moments of setback, self-employment pushes you to find your own balance and bounce back.

On a more positive note, I had the opportunity to attend a social event with one of my customers. We decided to take on The Cube, and I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. To my surprise (and everyone else's), I was pretty good at it! It was a great reminder of how rewarding it is to step out of your comfort zone and try new things – something that I’ve come to embrace more and more as I navigate this self-employment journey.

On the business front, things are definitely moving in the right direction. My social media impressions have skyrocketed, increasing by over 400%, which is both exciting and encouraging. It’s one thing to build content, but to see it resonate with an audience is a whole different level of satisfaction. Even more exciting is that word-of-mouth referrals have started to trickle in. I’m beginning to feel the momentum, and it’s amazing to see all the hard work paying off.

Another highlight this month has been the growing success of my podcast. People are reaching out, asking to get involved, and I’ve even been invited to guest on other people’s podcasts. It’s a fantastic feeling to see that others are recognizing the value of what I’m creating. The connections I’m making are helping to strengthen my network, and the exposure from these collaborations is invaluable.

But with all these positives, I’ve found myself facing one significant challenge: slowing down. The freedom that comes with self-employment is a double-edged sword. While I absolutely love what I do and could easily work 12-hour days, I’ve started to struggle with the idea of presenteeism. I feel guilty if I’m not at my desk Monday to Friday, and I know this is something many others who’ve recently transitioned to self-employment grapple with too. Part of me feels like I’m not doing enough if I’m not constantly working, even when things are going well.

As I move into Month 4, which is shaping up to be incredibly busy, I know I need to be more mindful of finding a balance. Self-employment is a marathon, not a sprint, and learning to pace myself will be crucial for long-term success.

Despite the challenges, I’m excited about what’s to come and looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me next. Here’s to more growth, more lessons, and hopefully a bit more balance in the months ahead!