I spent a long time building a company. I loved and hated it. It was hard and that’s part of what I loved about it. Then the company was acquired. That was exciting for the obvious reasons (financial stability, validation) but there was something I never expected: a moment came where it was clear I wasn’t needed anymore. All of a sudden my work wasn’t valued. No one said it, but it was clear that I could leave anytime and they would be ok with that. Nothing hurt more than that. I’ve since taken a new job and I tell people the number one thing that’s been so wonderful is feeling valued. People genuinely come to me for what I bring to the table and are thankful I’m here as a resource. I never in my life realized how important feeling valued at work is. I totally get where you’re coming from on that.
So just noticed this unread TR No75 in my inbox: Wow & thanks for sharing - - it is muchly appreciated. Yes it is such a push:pull when working for yourself vs working for a company. I related to so many things you articulated here! There is such a relief when income is planned, solid, relied upon + yet there is a tradeoff, an expensive one, akin to selling your soul....
When working for myself I feel best when productive and want to provide a value add for people. Be informed and informative. I'm a bit of a pleasure delayer so it's difficult to find the balance; if I don't feel accomplished to my level of satisfaction then I cannot feel good about other areas of my life. It's super tricky (to a fault) and challenging. It's sooooo important to communicate and know others are going through the exact same things. We do all need to be kind to ourselves (and others!) ♡ ♡ ♡
While I haven't experienced the extent of what you have the past couple weeks, I've come close and definitely didn't want to write about it or share it publicly (or even privately).
Thanks for challenging us all to be more open and more vulnerable <3
I love this post Sara! This sort of self-talk and self-reflection is where the magic really happens. I might steal this QA platform for my own journaling. Thank you!
Really appreciate this one, especially the emphasis on how "It’s hard to stay focused all the time when there’s no one holding you accountable but yourself"—so true!! I struggle with this all the time (like literally right now, reading newsletters instead of writing the thing I swore I'd write this morning...)
Thank you for sharing this Sara. I resonated with every sentence and that in itself was motivating. I have been on the freelancing journey for a little more than a year now and used to think that things get stable after a few years. But maybe not. Maybe this up and down ride is an inherent part of freelancing and it's about having practices that help us manage our rollercoaster of emotions.
I spent a long time building a company. I loved and hated it. It was hard and that’s part of what I loved about it. Then the company was acquired. That was exciting for the obvious reasons (financial stability, validation) but there was something I never expected: a moment came where it was clear I wasn’t needed anymore. All of a sudden my work wasn’t valued. No one said it, but it was clear that I could leave anytime and they would be ok with that. Nothing hurt more than that. I’ve since taken a new job and I tell people the number one thing that’s been so wonderful is feeling valued. People genuinely come to me for what I bring to the table and are thankful I’m here as a resource. I never in my life realized how important feeling valued at work is. I totally get where you’re coming from on that.
I love the questions. What a fearless, insightful interviewer.
So just noticed this unread TR No75 in my inbox: Wow & thanks for sharing - - it is muchly appreciated. Yes it is such a push:pull when working for yourself vs working for a company. I related to so many things you articulated here! There is such a relief when income is planned, solid, relied upon + yet there is a tradeoff, an expensive one, akin to selling your soul....
When working for myself I feel best when productive and want to provide a value add for people. Be informed and informative. I'm a bit of a pleasure delayer so it's difficult to find the balance; if I don't feel accomplished to my level of satisfaction then I cannot feel good about other areas of my life. It's super tricky (to a fault) and challenging. It's sooooo important to communicate and know others are going through the exact same things. We do all need to be kind to ourselves (and others!) ♡ ♡ ♡
Thanks for sharing this Sara.
While I haven't experienced the extent of what you have the past couple weeks, I've come close and definitely didn't want to write about it or share it publicly (or even privately).
Thanks for challenging us all to be more open and more vulnerable <3
I love this post Sara! This sort of self-talk and self-reflection is where the magic really happens. I might steal this QA platform for my own journaling. Thank you!
A beautiful expression of self care ::: thank you @tinyrevolutions
Really appreciate this one, especially the emphasis on how "It’s hard to stay focused all the time when there’s no one holding you accountable but yourself"—so true!! I struggle with this all the time (like literally right now, reading newsletters instead of writing the thing I swore I'd write this morning...)
Thank you for sharing this Sara. I resonated with every sentence and that in itself was motivating. I have been on the freelancing journey for a little more than a year now and used to think that things get stable after a few years. But maybe not. Maybe this up and down ride is an inherent part of freelancing and it's about having practices that help us manage our rollercoaster of emotions.
Thank you for this one, Sara. I relate SO hard.