Recently I quit my job in order to become self-employed. I’m a college graduate with degrees in piano performing and music education. Prior to becoming self-employed I had taught privately and was also employed by a music school. About six months ago I quit my job teaching at a private music school in order to become self employed.
Even though I make considerably less money I’m glad I took this bold step.
Why I Quit My Day Job
The reason I quit my job had to do with creative differences with my employers. The school I was employed by required me to teach in a way I felt was unethical. The school payed well, especially for a small private school, so money was not a factor in my desicion to quit.
I did not consider quitting my job a gamble nor did I quit my job to try to become an entrepreneur. I also did not expect a higher paying job to miraculously come my way. What I really sought was the freedom of becoming my own boss.
How I Currently Make My Living
I now make my living as a full-time freelance writer and composer. The work is rewarding and get plenty of work opportunities, I just have to look hard for them sometimes. I’m not going to lie and say there haven’t been times I have seriously thought about finding permanent employment. There have also been a few times where I have gotten behind on my bills and have had to take a temporary office job for a few weeks or do the few odd jobs for my family’s real-estate company.
For me, the worst part about self-employment is not knowing how much work will come my way. Although I always have the opportunity to do freelance work the uncertainty of not knowing where my next paycheck will come from can be a stressful situation. Personally I consider the sacrifice I made worth it but I would not recommend self-employment for just anyone. I wouldn’t have quit my job if I had a family to support or if I wasn’t single.
Living Frugally
Since I have quit my job I have learned to live frugally and I feel it has been a good lesson for me. I rent a small apartment now instead of renting a house and I live closer to the city so I don’t have to drive as much. Now that I have less money I have learned to do away with the non-essentials such as cable TV.
When I do become successful as a self-employed writer or composer I plan to use the lessons I have learned living frugally.