Aw thanks for the sweetest comment Beth!

I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time. But so glad you’re hanging in there and I so appreciate you being an inspiration to me. Truly, you are. You are so amazingly creative and talented that I know when you’re ready, everything will take off.

Thanks again Beth! And will find you on Pinterest. It’s my latest late-night obsession too.

Brandi, I am so glad that you published this piece! I had a strikingly similar experience when I went full-time in January 2010. My husband supported wholeheartedly. In fact, he suggested that I leave the corporate world and concentrate on my freelance career full-time. I was essentially working two full-time jobs anyway because my client base and assignment queue grew so rapidly. However, I did not receive this level of support from others close to and a few of those with whom I have fairly close friendships. One of my brothers and his wife were quite supportive, but my other brother told me it was a stupid move. My mother, who is very enthusiastic about my published work and tells me how wonderful it is that I can write well, did not share my husband’s enthusiasm with my taking the full-time plunge.

Like you, many of the negative Neds and Nancys I encountered back then spoke with an air of thinly-veiled envy — even jealousy. I took this into account when dealing with them.

Also, like you, I began to doubt myself and my ability to make an income that equals my corporate salary. For 2011, my gross income will reach above and beyond my corporate income by 1/4. As I look at my deadline calendar, my rate card, and the increased happiness working from home has given my kids and hubs, I have only grateful thoughts and joyful feelings about my decision.

This is where I’m supposed to be. This is where you are supposed to be.

On occasion, I still hear the voice in my head that tells me I’m not really a decent writer at all and that everyone will soon find out what a mistake they have made. I think all creative people hear that voice once in a while. But, I’ve learned to look at the evidence (income, happiness, client growth, client quality, etc.) and tell that lying voice to shut-up!

I love learning, love getting advice and tricks from others in any freelance field or niche, and love my first ‘real’ editor, who brutally edited my work and made me correct every infraction until it was right.

Loved this post. Thank you.

Samantha
http://www.freelancewritingdreams.com

Hi Brandi, great post. I echo both Samantha and Beth; like Samantha I quit a full-time job in January 2010. There are times that focus has been difficult to maintain, as Beth and you mentioned, because real life can intrude more intensely when you make your own hours. Reading also helps me, as does meeting other freelance professionals (other writers and designers) in my area. It helps build a knowledge base and gives me ideas for my own business.

It can be difficult sometimes. I’m also in the suburbs, and it’s a good hour commute, two-ways, to events, along with the event itself. So I plan only a few events a month, depending on work flow, and make note of the ones that I’d like to make regular, y’know?