It’s 20 years since the illustration studio I worked in stopped trading and I was made redundant from a job I loved. I was devastated. I had no work and no contacts. The internet was barely even a thing. I had nobody to ask anything and nowhere to learn new things. It was a very lonely freelance career in the beginning and I wasn’t sure it was for me.
These days things couldn’t be more different. There are loads of learning platforms and places where you can build a little network of like minded people. I’ve done both paid for and free learning and will continue to do so. I’d hate to think that all my learning stopped when I left the studio. If anything, I do more now than I ever did.
I’m a member of a group of creative independent businesses called Indie Roller. The overarching message is to do things at your own pace and ‘keep going’. Every business experiences highs and lows, peaks and troughs. It’s encouraging to know you’re not alone and there’s always someone to chat to. Some of us who did coaching last year with Leona who runs Indie Roller have also formed our own private group, The Sunshine Club. We go live in the group on Mondays with our intentions for the week for accountability. This was terrifying at first as we’d not really chatted to each other much, only through Leona. I now class the members of this gorgeous girl gang as my friends. Friends I’ve never actually met (yet). We meet online every Thursday for a catch up as well as to bounce ideas off each other during the week in the group. It’s kept us all sane, especially after the rollercoaster of the last couple of years.
So if you’re new to freelancing or working from home, find your tribe. They’re out there and I’m always happy to chat on the socials so hit me up.
