Feeling the fear and doing it anyway

They say life is like a rollercoaster (well, Ronan Keating sang a pretty good song about it - showing my age!). And at the moment life feels very much as though I'm on the slow uphill bit just before the speedy and exhilarating descent!

Earlier this week I finally decided to call it a day in my current part-time marketing consultant role and embrace freelance life again. It's a decision that has been weighing on my mind for several months and I'd previously been a bit nervous about making the jump, particularly when thinking about the potential financial implications. But as my 12-month contract comes to a close, it seemed the right time to bite the bullet and just get on with it.

So, as I celebrate a significant birthday next month, I'll also be starting life as a freelance copywriter, blogger and website editor.

After all, life is for living and if you can't take a risk on something, then you'll always think about the what ifs in life.

2016 was a tough year for me. I really struggled with sleep deprivation and it impacted on my mental health. But with the new year and, for me, a new decade approaching, I've decided to try and find my mojo again and that means living life to the full, grabbing opportunities and trying to make the most of them. It's not always going to be easy and I need to remember to pace myself, but at least as a freelance, there should be a bit more flexibility to allow myself to work hard, play hard and rest when I need to.

I've done the freelance thing before and I learnt quite a few lessons that should serve me well as I venture down the self-employed road again. Things like making sure I actually get paid and not relying too heavily one client (these were different clients, I hasten to add).

At the moment, I'm busy getting myself set up again: updating my business website and social media accounts; business planning; panicking a little bit about money etc.

It's scary and I've no doubt that the next few months are going to involve a lot of hard work drumming up new business and getting back out there again. But in my heart of hearts I know I've made the right decision.

If anything, my year spent back in employment has confirmed that it's definitely the freelance life for me.

I'll be posting more about my new freelance ventures, so stay tuned for more updates.

If you've taken the leap into self-employment, I'd love to hear your tips.