It seemed like yesterday when I left my job.
It was a bit heartbreaking. I enjoyed working At UPS. While the good days lasted. I worked as a loader there for four years.
For a lot of the time, I was overwhelmed working a second part time job as a janitor at an elementary school. Which I worked for six years.
I also went to college.
I dropped it all, To pursue Self Employment
One by one, I quit things, Some people were shocked. I went from being this incredibly hard working person, and it almost seemed as though I became "burned out." But I had bigger goals in mind. I couldn't handle listening to a boss all the time. I wanted more from my life. So I built my coloring book business and e-commerce store And left.
People thought I was crazy
Everyone at UPS fought me on it. To stay, With the union. With the amazing benefits that UPS had to offer.
The incredible health insurance, The paid time off.
Giving it up was hard. But could I be happy loading the boxes for the rest of my life? Being bossed around by supervisors I hated, Working in trailers that were either too hot or too cold, Getting injured and destroying my body.
I couldn't....
What did I learn?
Self-employment isn't as easy as it looks. I've had my ups and downs throughout the year. Not knowing if I'd be able to eat.
Sometimes you work so hard and make almost nothing, And it's frustrating.
Sometimes you feel like a failure; You get lonely from working alone all the time.
I don't regret my decision. I'm happy I did it! and I am in love with being self-employed.
It's empowering, walking around knowing that you are 100% in charge of your paycheck. No one can "fire" you. NO one can tell you what to do with your time. You are free!
With my newly found self-employment, I was able to go places, Go on trips and enjoy life in a new way that I haven't experienced before.
I fell in love with San Diego!
Where I got to see the ocean for the first time in my life. We didn't get there until it was nighttime. But I dragged my boyfriend to the water anyway. I couldn't even resist jumping into the salty water. Probably one of the best moments of my life. Being knocked over by the waves and laughing hysterically. I even licked the water, Because I wanted to know what it tasted like LOL! Steemit gave me that experience. And I'll forever be grateful.
You Have to Motivate Yourself
Being self-employed means, you have to schedule time correctly.
This can be a tough one at times. If you don't spend enough time working you don't get any closer to your goals, There is no boss to yell and scream at you. Only you.
That is hard at times When you lack that motivation to get the job done. I usually combat this, By letting myself slack off. I'll go hiking, Bike riding or even watch one tv show. I will then force myself to get work done.
I Can't believe I've been self Employed for a year! Holy Cow!!!
Hopefully many more years ahead of me!!
Steem on!
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congrats now back to the ocean soon enough
I WANT TOOOOO LEts go!
Well done you, I'm just starting a freelancing career and I cannot wait until I'm making a living as my own boss. Such an inspiring read, thanks!
Aww you can do it!! Hheee
I resigned my job in June. I am currently self-employed. I haven't posted much about because I am more in shock that it is happening. And not only is it happening, but I am currently making more than my teaching job paid me.
Congrats on the year!
Wow!! Right? I felt that way too! Waking up everyday realizing you don't have to go anywhere is truly bizzare.
Thank you so much!
Kaylin you truly are an inspiration! I can tell you are such a hard worker! @acrmott and I always tell each other, we want to work hard and make it like Kaylin did on Steemit.
I eventually want to do the same, but I'm not quite there yet to take the full jump. My current job isn't terrible and it still allows me to use my creativity... but one day! Having no boss would just be amazing.
Keep it up girl fran! You are awesome!
Edit: I also thought it was adorable that you said you licked the ocean. HEHE! San Diego is the dream city. I love visiting that place.
Awwww soooo Sweet hehe :)
It would! Just keep building up everything, It takes time but it's so worth it.
Hahhaha Thank you!! i was curious to see how salty it would be LOL!
San diego is the best! Do you go for the beach? Whats your favorite beach?
Thanks for the encouraging words! Will keep working at it. Thanks again for the upvotes! You are so sweet for that!
I go for the beach! My favorite is Shell Beach, because of the sea lions... they are soo cute! I also attempt to surf when I'm down there, but I'm not that great at it. Next time you are in California, come visit us in Sacramento! We would love to have you and your boyfriend stay with us!
Shell Beach!? I need to go there!! I love sea lions too! Heheh I need to learn how to surf! Thats cool that you are learning hehe. I should!
Omg yes! It's beautiful! So many places to explore. Surfing snot easy but I like the challenge!
Congrats! I really wish the best for you! Someday I hope to break into my own field, for now though I will have to continue working two jobs and studying for a new field haha
Aww thats not easy! If you keep trying you'll get what you want! Just don't give up.
This all sounds like a live dream to me. My biggest dream at the moment is being able to study in Japan, I'm already studing Japanese by myself, and now I'm running after to gather 20,000.00 $ which is the value that the Japanese asks me to have in the bank in order to give me the student visa, Since I'm just a Jobless college student in a broken country I'm investing the most valuable resource that I have now on steemit, which is My time and dedication!
When I see stories like yours that strongly inspires me to keep following my dreams even when everyone among you don't believe you can do it.
every day is more clear that to make my dreams become true the only person that must believe I can make it Is my self,
I'm truly glad to read about life lessons such as yours, Thank you for being this amazing and insightful person
Steem on ! ^^
hey, cool AFI shirt
@kaylinart I like to congratulate you!! Self-motivation is just beginning. Once you have done something special for yourself, recognize and reward yourself with juice, coffee or breakfast. It’s a small treat, but any behavior that is recognized and rewarded gets repeated. Self-motivation needs recognition. Only you can provide it!!
Congrats Kaylin! You have been working hard, much success to you now and going forward. I am self employed for 1 month now. Freaking out a bit even though I have done it before.
Need to get my next product done so I have more than the book to sell. Heck, I need to sell a lot more copies of my book! lol
I am really, really happy to hear about this milestone of yours. It is great to be independent! And a real struggle, all wrapped up into one.
I agree, working alone can be difficult. I try to at least have conversations with friends on the phone or on Skype when possible.
I really hope that your success at staying independent is on-going, and grows! Steem on!
😄😇😄
Congratulations! It's great to see others who broke away from the modern-day slave masters. A couple of months ago I quit my job in manufacturing and moved back to Texas to be with my family. I have been trying to find work since moving back.
Now, I just got done with the hiring process for a decent part timer doing what I love. More importantly, I have my first independent client also doing what I love. It could be the end of my own slavery. At least, I hope it is!
Good luck! Thank you for sharing! Followed and resteemed!
I still remember when you made the announcement on Steem. That left a good impression on me.
When you say sometimes you don't know if you'll be able to eat that's cause you almost never power down and I think that's a smart move.
Steem on my friend!
Thank you! That was so long ago! I remember posting on here because I was terrified haha.
Hehe I avoid it as much as I can.
Thank you.
Hey @kaylinart , would love to offer you a slot on my podcast sometime.
It is about people doing remarkable things, whether entrepreneurs or not.
Where we talk about what you are doing, believe in and what difference you are making in the world.
It is part youtube channel where the mission is to help 1,000,000 entrepreneurs become remarkable, and the podcast acts as a way to share stories and connect with people.
Here is the playlist of the existing episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5CpCNPna6p95oJfKPew0N3ZT0k-khdgg
It is audio only over skype. Would love you to come on the show and talk about yourself. Does this sound of interest to you?
Deffo self employed is the way ahead! Making your own command decisions, work when you want for as long as you want! Buy looking at your stats you could just use steem and make a welcomed income! Good effort! :)
Congrats! Very inspiring!
Right? I just came across @kaylinart and I'm already loving her posts! I can only hope to accomplish what she has tbh. She certainly earned my follow!
I bet youve never felt more motivated in your life
That's great @kaylinart!
Haven't worked a "real job" since December. Thats awesome! What all do you do? Just blogging here? I trade stocks and cryptos.
Everyone deserves this and I'm always happy to see when someone actually achieves it because it's not easy in the current environment.
I find that with many jobs, it isn't the work itself that's difficult, it's the fact that you have very little freedom and very little free time, then on top of that, the job often just barely covers the cost of living. Company profits and worker productivity take priority over quality of life. If I were paid enough to have a comfortable living space, eat well and go out and enjoy music, friends and occasionally travel, I would have happily taken a job picking up trash from the side of the road. Unfortunately, acts not the world we live in right now.
Another reason why work can be so hard is that there are other things that we are more passionate about but which it's hard to find ways to "earn a living with", especially if you are not into man that of the practices of big companies and advertising and don't want to get involved in all that (like myself).
I hope that steemit becomes an avenue for many people to find ways towards self sustainability doing what they are passionate. I have a blog series that I'm passionate about (I talk about a lot of similar topics as you, staying positive in a fucked up world and redesigning yourself as you see fit) and I want to do more work to promote self study (especially of languages) and I also write short stories and music. More than all that, I love connecting with the community here. It's not just entertainment or a way to kill time, it has the potential to be truly meaningful. I hope all his work will lead to economic security and freedom, then I could put even more effort into doing even more projects.
wao! thats really nice
Congrats. Being self-employed is a dream of mine as well. I'm 2 years away from realizing that.
Congrats! I bet it has been an amazing year for you. Many more to come :)
So what are you doing now in self-employment? anyway, good work, keep going!
I see self employment as a wonderful thing, because your the boss, you make your on rules, your own schedule. And it beats those long hours in the office. Yes its has in down sides. But being able to be free, for instance if you're s travel blogger, making money, while doing what you love. I can't wait for the day when I can quit my job and be a full time YouTuber/Blogger/Photographer
Good for you! Keep it going!
You should MOVE to San Diego!
I'm seriously considering it! I would love it.
Congratulations! Being self employed is an incredible achievement! I hope to reach that point one day.
Not having someone to kick your lazy ass up is both liberating and dangerous. But worth it
Absolutely amazing write up! Not all people have the guts to be self employed!
Congrats! Very inspiring! thank you for sharhing
Nice article I have been wanting to start being self employed but I don't know what to do and where to start if you could make another article about the way you did it well have a great day
amazing article @kaylinart keep doing what you do and persuing your dreams :)
Two epic milestones in one week.
Congratulations.
I love working for my own self and I find my freedom of personal movement and work it my dream in this world and wish to achieve
Vote
Hii friend I have upvoted u so plzz follow & upvote me @shaikrafiq
So well written, thank you )
But you know something , we move onto bigger and better, what's meant for us . @kaylinart
Exactly! Even though it's scary it's worth it.
I am trying to achieve the same , one step at a time :) will learn from your footsteps
Great post , You're pretty too ♥
Followed ☺
Aww thank you :)
You're welcome
Can you check out my blog ?
You actually got lucky. I myself resigned on 20th April from the company where I had been working from the last 5 years but had to join today as my plan failed. However, I'm not going to give up and will continue to do some other online stuff.
Good to see that people like you get rewards after all the hard work you do.
Stay blessed!
im also thinking the same..but im scared of FAILURE
That's great my friends. Your own boss. Your world, your rules.
Very cool. Congrats!
That was your first time seeing the ocean? :O Awesome :)
yes it takes a lot of determination to be a selfemployed person. be your own boss and not running the rat race. cheers good luck
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
wow @kaylinart Upvoted
Wow...
What an experience, i will like to take same step you took to be a self employed. Thanks for sharing your experience @kaylinart . stay bless
Congrats. It is scary, but that is just a beginning. Wish you many milestones.
Thanks for the inspiration. Maybe you could write about some of your failures and how you overcame different obstacles?
Wow, congratulations, @kaylinart!! What a milestone!!
I used to work for UPS, too :) but in the call center - in Dublin in Ireland. I was lucky with nice bosses but it was the most mind-numbing job ever.
I'm in my 10th year of being self-employed now, and I feel like I'm starting over (another "first year" for me), so I totally get where you're coming from.
Well done, you, for following your passion and inner compass!!
Congrats many more from now on :)