🗝️ Finding Freedom Through Solopreneurship
How realizing I was living someone else's dream made me want to be my own boss.
Happy Sunday! 👋 Welcome back to the third edition of Diary of a Modern Solopreneur. If you've been here since the beginning, THANK YOU—your ongoing support is my daily dose of inspiration. And if you're new here, welcome to our cozy corner of the internet where we redefine success, one newsletter at a time!
Today, let's explore a topic that's been buzzing in my mind, especially after a serendipitous encounter I had this week: Finding Freedom Through Solopreneurship. No, I'm not talking about the freedom to buy a yacht or a private island. I'm talking about the freedom to live life on your terms. Intrigued? Let's dive in!
The Unexpected Reunion
I'm in the middle of moving houses this month, and part of that process involves decluttering and parting ways with stuff I've been lying to myself about using again. One such item? My dancing shoes. After six years of dancing, I've naturally drifted away from Samba this year due to other interests and a lack of time. So, I decided to sell them. Interestingly, an ex-colleague showed interest, and we met up.
As she tried on the shoes, we caught up on life, and she shared something that really resonated with me: she'd recently been let go from the company where we both used to work. Her words, "I've only been out of the company for two weeks, but it feels like it's been three months," struck a chord. She felt lighter, happier, and already has two freelance clients! It was like looking at myself in the mirror two years ago.
The Freedom to Choose Your Own Path
I was genuinely happy for her and not at all surprised she landed freelance gigs right away. She's a brilliant writer and PR pro, plus a creative soul to boot. This encounter reminded me of my own leap into entrepreneurship. I was tired, unhappy, and felt like I was living someone else's dream. When that last realization hit me (and I'd like you to ponder on that thought for a while), I couldn't shake off the idea of doing my own thing.
My ex-colleague's newfound freedom echoed my own feelings when I left the corporate world. Did we feel ready to jump into solopreneurship right away? Hell no! But it's not about being 100% sure; it's about giving yourself the freedom to choose, to explore, and to fail without the weight of external expectations. Let's be real: if someone says they were absolutely confident about jumping into entrepreneurship after a whole life of corporate work, they're probably not being completely honest. We all have fears and uncertainties. The trick is to turn that fear into fuel!
Your Freedom Exercise 📝
So, how can you carve out your own slice of freedom through entrepreneurship? Let's dive into this simple yet impactful exercise:
🌱 Self-Reflection: Take a moment to ponder what freedom means to you. Is it financial independence, creative autonomy, or perhaps something else? How would your ideal day-to-day life look like? For me, it's all about forging my own path, working on my terms, and defining my own success. Today (because this can change in the future) means embracing my multi-potentiality, choosing my work hours, or even taking a spontaneous day off—no explanations needed.
🎯 Small Steps: Quitting your job on a whim isn't the only route to freedom. Start with a side hustle or freelance gigs to dip your toes in the water. When I jumped into solopreneurship, I had already been honing my scriptwriting skills for a year as a side hustle. Plus, I was diving deep into the Web3 world, not just to understand it but to see if it was an industry I'd enjoy. So, I had a couple of alternatives I was exploring while still clocking in at my 9 to 5.
🛠 Embrace Uncertainty: It's perfectly fine not to have all the answers. Sometimes, the most rewarding journeys begin when we dare to stray from the beaten path. Two years ago, I had no clue I'd be teaching about a subject I was just learning myself, let alone loving it! The same goes for writing. Initially, I focused on what I thought I excelled at—project management. But by allowing myself to experiment with writing, I discovered a passion so strong that it led me to pivot my company's focus to offer writing services.
Wrapping Up
That's a wrap for today's edition! I hope you found it as enriching to read as I did to write. If you've been feeling like you're living someone else's dream, maybe it's time to start dreaming for yourself. And remember, you don't have to have it all figured out; sometimes the most beautiful paths are discovered when we dare to wander.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, whether it's about the content or what you unearthed through the Freedom Exercise.
Sending you waves of courage, freedom, and entrepreneurial spirit!
-Sabrina
P.S. If this resonated with you, please share with your entrepreneurial circle. Together, we grow stronger!