“So do you have a job yet? Or are you still unemployed?“

“I decided not to get a job. Instead I’m working as a freelance copywriter. Trying to get my own clients.“

“Hmm, so what do you do all day then?“

This is a real conversation I had last week with one of my neighbours…

It’s been eight weeks since my last day at the agency. The first few weeks were a shock to my system. I still couldn’t believe that I had done it. I definitely had a few days with my brain ping ponging one thought around all-day long:

“What have I done? Did I do the right thing? F*ck. What have I done?“

I think this is a normal reaction.

The good news is, I’m past this stage. I’ve moved through all the stages and now I’m sitting at pride and confidence.

It’s only in leaving the job I worked at for 10 years, that I’ve realized how much I know and how good I am at word magic. And no this is not bragging. It’s telling the truth.

Turns out that close to 15 years of ghostwriting B2B/B2C content adds up to a whole lot of knowledge.

I didn’t realize how much I knew when I was working at the agency. And I didn’t know that my ability to write about a wide range of topics was a big deal. I didn’t realize that it’s rare for writers to know a lot about SEO, Google algorithms, keywords, and AI. But it is. So yay me.

Since I’ve left and started my own freelance writing business:

• I’ve had a column published in a newsletter that is read by almost 5,000 people
• I was interviewed for a video podcast episode about writing people-to-people content (It’s not live yet.)
• I signed another client (And I have two more clients in my pipeline who will hopefully sign.)
• I learned how to write a contract
• I post weekly on LinkedIn
• I help others who have questions about content and SEO by contributing to Slack channels and commenting on LinkedIn posts
• I pitch articles to other websites
• I am steadily working on a list of courses to create and sell
• I attend weekly webinars to continue learning about AI, Google, content strategy, and SEO
• I read books about branding, strategy, being a solopreneur, and writing
• I network

So this is what I do all day. Plus I research, plan, and write for my two clients.

I’m busy. I still have so much more that I want to do with my day. I’ve signed up for three courses. I have ideas for a newsletter. I’m toying with adding a blog to my Good Words Work website. I need to learn how to create a course. I want to learn about Loom. I have lots of books to read. And so many ideas about what I can do now with my writing skills.

The best thing about all of this? I feel good. No, scratch that – I feel great.

I have a new feeling of confidence.
I know I can make this work.
I know I have an expertise and skillset that can benefit so many small- to medium-sized companies.

So, yeah, that’s work life in a nutshell. It’s really good.

The most amazing thing is, my renewed professional confidence has trickled over into the rest of life.

I feel like an entirely new person. I’m less stressed. My anxiety levels are way down. I’m happier. I’m a more enjoyable person to be around. I feel good about me.

Tomorrow I’m swimming Bring On The Bay. This is a 3 km swim from the Nepean Yacht Club to the Britannia Yacht Club.

I did this swimming event two years ago. I was a basket case leading up to the swim. I was so stressed. I remember at one point telling myself “This is the biggest sporting event of your life…” I kind of forgot I’ve competed in two world championships and raced my bike all over the world. Funny what the brain does when it’s stressed and freaking out.

This year is completely different. I know I can swim the distance. I know I’m a good swimmer. I know I’m fit. All I have to do is jump in and swim. I have one goal – swim in a straight line.

Swim from buoy to buoy and soon enough I’ll get there. Kind of like life. Just keep going.