First Day of Freedom

posted 9th November 2009    Written by: Robyn    CATEGORY: All Posts, Job/Career/Work, Quarterlife Crisis, Robyn, Season 1

dog walkersAs if to confirm that I had made the right decision, my first day free from the corporate world was spent outside in 73 degree weather. Despite it being fall, I woke up to the sun shining and I brought my lap top outside to do some work.

After some research and some writing, I left for my first day of dog walking.

The girl I walk dogs with has a story similar to mine. She used to work for a big ad agency before she realized how miserable it was making her. She had her Quarterlife Crisis and ended up quitting her job to pursue her dreams of working for herself. She didn’t have much of a plan, so she started walking dogs in the meantime. She loved the schedule and the pups and being outside and active all day. Eventually she started her own dog walking business.

And grew that business so much that now she has walkers like me!

I spent four hours in the gorgeous weather–riding my bike around Chicago to different houses and playing with dogs. It was a blast!

Most importantly… it was SO different from my corporate job. I found myself feeling care-free and stress-free and (what a shocker!)… I felt happy.

It was definitely odd to wake up and not have to get dressed in business casual and put on makeup. Instead, I stayed in one of my favorite comfy tees and some jeans. I wasn’t rushed in the morning. I took my time making coffee and eating yogurt.

I am my own boss now, and I create my own schedule. In the past, when I was working from home, I found the most important things are to keep myself on a schedule and give myself deadlines. Despite my hate for all that structure and stress in the workplace, it’s completely different when you are doing it all for yourself.

I actually enjoy my “to do” list and meeting my deadlines. Even more so, I enjoy the variety of work and being able to take a long lunch break with a friend or deciding to let myself take a half day on a random Friday.

Being disciplined and motivated are strongly required, but the perks of working for yourself are endless.

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photo credit: nunocalvin

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Comments (2)

2 Responses to “First Day of Freedom”

  • Doniree Says:
    November 9th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    This is SO so very inspiring. Especially for someone who *might* be considering a ditch out of the corporate world and still hasn’t totally figured out exactly what to do with that… :) Thank you for sharing!

  • Molly Hoyne Says:
    November 10th, 2009 at 9:37 am

    Ahhhh! Doesn’t it feel good? Even with all the hard bits (hello making a living wage?) I don’t think I can go back to a corporate job. You’re right- having control of your time and attention is one of the most liberating feelings out there!

    Way to be an inspiration, Robyn.

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