We all been told, “Don’t quit the day job.” This, of course is excellent advice to freelancers every where. I have always taken this advice seriously. Even though I may have been tempted to cut loose on my own, I have refrained.
Recently, due to the volatile nature of education in Maine, as the entire State struggles to consolidate its many rural school districts into several large districts; my district faced severe budgetary constraints and was forced to eliminate programs and consequently staff. I was the unfortunate victim of down-sizing and currently find myself without the proverbial day job.
So, I didn’t exactly quit the day job, but nonetheless I find myself plunged into the competitive world of full time freelance. To tell you that the prospect isn’t a little scary would be a lie; but to tell you that I am terrified would be an exaggeration. In many respects it brings with it a sense of relief.
Not that I don’t love teaching. I do. I will dearly miss the daily interaction with children and may even miss the sense of structure and routine teaching brings to my life. Most of all, I will miss my identity as a teacher. Am I still a teacher if I’m unemployed? Have I changed from teacher to writer in one fell sweep?
The relief instead comes from knowing that I am now charged with pursuing my life long dream of being a writer and I no longer have excuses to hold me back. The day looms before me ready to be written. If I do not siege the opportunity now, my dream may never be realized.
Join me on my journey into the world of freelancing. Perhaps we can both learn a thing or two along the way.
