Hey Marietta! I will say that you have an advantage because you have a specified vertical. It’s just a matter of getting the word out there that you want to freelance. It couldn’t be a better market for contract/freelance designers and illustrators – a lot of companies are choosing this route to avoid paying for healthcare, HR , and all of the other expenses that come along with having a full-time employee. I’d say a good place to start would be networking, ask everyone and anyone out for coffee – have conversations, tell them what you’re looking for, ask them how they do it, etc. At the end of the day your net worth really is your network and you gotta grind to grow your connections! Good luck!

Cheers to you Andrea! No more of that soul sucking bull sh*t 🙂 Good luck!

Thank you for reading and commenting!

Hey Mel! Thank you for your comment. I wasn’t trying to insult anyone with children and I apologize it came off that way for you. I definitely want to have children of my own some day and don’t see having children as a lame ‘traditional’ way of life. In fact I’m not even sure what a ‘traditional’ way of life means – that’s essentially what this post is about. Thank you for reading and best of luck to you!

Loving your perspective on this. In October I also left a career path that just didn’t sit right with me, and I completely resonate with that feeling of lightness! The day I gave my notice, I physically felt my insides unknot and felt able to fully deeply BREATHE for the first time in months! So excited for you. Soak it up. Cheers to your new path & Day 2 🙂

Yes! That’s such an interesting point. It’s so true – we change so much over the years. I’m happy you are on your way to finding something that more closely matches your values! Good luck!

It’s hard! I have been thinking A LOT about it. Because even freelancing I find myself sitting in front of a computer, but at least I can get up and walk around, walk my dog, go to the park, go to a coffee shop, etc. – which makes a huge difference.

Hey Amanda! You’re right – any choice if made authentically is wonderful! I don’t necessarily believe there is a traditional or non-traditional way of going about life, there is so much gray area – and especially when you think about how big and expansive this world is – how different cultures and countries operate. I didn’t mean to offend with my comment, I should have elaborated more on what I meant by ‘lame’ – I guess in my eyes it’s just so expected. Like if you’re 30 and in a relationship people will incessantly ask “so when are you getting married?” or “when are you having babies?”. I think the words that I wrote were essentially a way to rebel against what is ‘expected’ of me at 30. I didn’t mean to be offensive – I hope that makes sense!

Totally spamming your comment field now, but reading your comment on not feeling like sitting in front of computer all day is EXACTLY what I have been feeling for the past years and do every day. Maybe you could write more on your thoughts on this topics would be incredibly helpful and interesting. I mean, I’ve tried to think of so many jobs but can’t find one that my (our) background can work with. Would be amazing to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks, Jenny

Thank you! How interesting that you also have similar background.
Can’t wait to read the article on following our instincts. Keep it on 🙂

Hey girl! Do what makes you happy – whatever that is, and good things will come. Good luck!! Thank you for reading 🙂

Haha! Thank you for reading and commenting. Good luck – you got this!

Thank you! <3

I totally get where you’re coming from Nina! I am by no means considering myself ‘successful’ at this point and I’m honestly not sure when that point will come. For me it’s just about taking this opportunity (that I am incredibly grateful to have) and exploring what’s possible. I’m still not even sure what I’m “passionate” about, but I sure as heck have realized that sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours a day is not on that list. There are so many factors and so many things I could say relating to this topic but for the sake of the article I tried to keep it short. Thank you for reading and commenting!

Hey Michaela! That’s great to hear! It’s all about pursuing whatever you are passionate about, doing what makes you happy and recognizing what doesn’t. Keep it up!

Hey Jenny! I totally relate (obviously) – I actually have a background in brand strategy as well! 32 is definitely not too late. The time will pass regardless, it’s just a matter of what you choose to do with it. You got this! Hoping to write a little something about following your gut soon 🙂 Thank you for reading and commenting!

I’m 32 and in the middle of career/life thinkover.
Have been feeling and pondering these exact questions, constantly feeling that my life is not the one I pictures myself having: living in cool
Big city, working at cool company etc.
What I realise is my definition of “cool
” has changed and so have my values.
Currently about to quit a job with a very toxic environment without anything lined up and really trying to figure what to do: am a journalist, as well as a brand strategist and thought I wanted to work in brand strategy for an agency but it just feels
So wrong. At the same time being 32 I feel that it’s too late to start something new and it really doesn’t help that everyone around seems
To be settling down and having their lives figured out.

Thank you sooo much for sharing your experience
Making us feel less alone and congrats on following your gut! I hope I can do the same. If you have any advice on how to learn to do that,
Please do share (or write).
Good luck!

Greetings from Copenhagen,

Jenny

Congrats! So awesome to hear you are pursuing something you are passionate about!

Love hearing that. I’m definitely staying open to opportunities – practicing saying ‘yes’ to just about everything 🙂

Thank you Matt!

Well said! I totally agree.

Hey Stephanie! I totally agree! It is a privilege and I am so, so happy and grateful that I have this opportunity in my life. That’s exactly what my dad said too, he didn’t have the luxury at my age (because he had me and my two sisters already) and that’s why he is so encouraging of my endeavors. Thank you for your comment!