Congrats Anna. I'm sure it's not all glamour and glitter, but the life you describe is something I'm working toward, and something I think many people would love to hear more about:
What worked, what didn't and some advice for someone who wants to live on their own terms.
Although I do enjoy my job as an engineer, it's hard to beat a self-employed career that is fulfilling...
I don't know exactly why, but I really enjoy reading your writing! keep it up.
It's definitely not glitz and glam nor is it an easy path to take (but then again, I believe that anything worth doing has a degree of hard to it).
I've got a wholeeeeee big piece half-written about the challenges I've faced building a portfolio career: constantly hustling for new clients and projects, navigating how to set my rates, the loneliness that comes with being a solo operator...the list goes on. It'll be coming in the next few weeks 😊
Relating hard, all the way down to the late night voice memo. It’s wild to admit but I’ve always carried some shame around my many pivots, and wondered why I can’t just be content with one, steady thing. I still feel this way at times as I navigate a big pivotal unfolding in real time, recognizing it as a gift. And noticing how each one somehow brings you closer to the truth of who you are. At least in that moment in time :)
Yes, someone listened to my late night ramblings!! Haha
I feel you and sometimes I'm like, how many pivots is too many pivots?! But I think that it ultimately is a good sign as it means we're following our curiosity, and passions, and evolving priorities.
A lot of creatives that hate being tied down to one thing tend to feel shame around pivoting, so you’re not alone! It’s due to the society we live in now, which praises “specialization” and choosing a “niche”.
Back in Renaissance times, however, people were applauded for having many interests!
Pivoting, and following your curiosity is —in my opinion— a sign of growth! ☘️ It means you’re paying attention, even if just on an intuitive level! 😉
(note: I’ll be sharing a post this week all about following our curiosity!)
I feel like the modern work structure of 5 days of clocking in and out 9-5 makes no sense?! Like….what? Of course fulltime is great for some people but the rigidity of it just doesn’t compute for me. Follow your curiosity and passions, all day everyday!
I can’t tell you how alone I’ve felt in this for decades. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts around this polymath life. I’m so glad to have found your Substack, Anna, and fellow seekers💓
You're absolutely not alone!! One thing I've learned after writing about this type of work model and approach to life, is that there are SO many people out there doing life this way ❤️
It is so tough to find the center of the money, creativity, freedom and purpose Venn diagram. So happy to hear you have accomplished it (for now). Gives the rest of us hope.
This post makes me incredibly happy and hopeful to read. You beautifully show what is possible but also, that "ditching traditional" also comes with embracing change and uncertainty as certain constants.
I quit corporate to venture into the world of academic research. However, I realise, I did so by also embarking on a unique way into a portfolio career to-be. Like working freelance consulting, small translation jobs, experimenting with photography and content, now working on different puzzle pieces of research and I know whatever is next, it will be a beautiful and unique mix which feels true to myself and my current life.
Haha after I got my degree, I was working in acct for big law firms, then I got sick of it and went into fraud for a few months, got moved to recruiting randomly by the start up I was working for. All this was happening in my 30s. So restarting careers was interesting and most of my friends are like wtf hahah. Theeeen layoffs happened, and I was like fuck it, let's do what I actually love, which is writing and I started my career in freelancing. Went from making lots of money to no money. I'm sure the money will come but rn, I'm just enjoying building it all up!
Definitely give the audio a crack! I had a lot of feedback from readers they prefer to listen, otherwise they sometimes skimmed, so I started adding the voiceover. Give the people what they want!
So true!!! And we want to be more in control of our success, have our own niche where we can have ownership, in "traditional employment" it’s so random I feel like… 🤷♀️
I think that there's nothing wrong with traditional employment per se, and that a lot of people thrive within that type of work structure. But it's not right for everyone, and I think a lot of people are starting to realise there's another way.
This was such a good read! I resonate with it so much, and my career has ebbed and flowed in the same way. Glad to see I’m not alone in the transition away from “traditional” ways!
I love this so much I could scream. I, too, am the Queen of the Career Pivot. Would love to share my story with your readers on how it's possible to defy the odds of the corporate cog wheel and make a living having fun.
Congrats Anna. I'm sure it's not all glamour and glitter, but the life you describe is something I'm working toward, and something I think many people would love to hear more about:
What worked, what didn't and some advice for someone who wants to live on their own terms.
Although I do enjoy my job as an engineer, it's hard to beat a self-employed career that is fulfilling...
I don't know exactly why, but I really enjoy reading your writing! keep it up.
It's definitely not glitz and glam nor is it an easy path to take (but then again, I believe that anything worth doing has a degree of hard to it).
I've got a wholeeeeee big piece half-written about the challenges I've faced building a portfolio career: constantly hustling for new clients and projects, navigating how to set my rates, the loneliness that comes with being a solo operator...the list goes on. It'll be coming in the next few weeks 😊
Relating hard, all the way down to the late night voice memo. It’s wild to admit but I’ve always carried some shame around my many pivots, and wondered why I can’t just be content with one, steady thing. I still feel this way at times as I navigate a big pivotal unfolding in real time, recognizing it as a gift. And noticing how each one somehow brings you closer to the truth of who you are. At least in that moment in time :)
Yes, someone listened to my late night ramblings!! Haha
I feel you and sometimes I'm like, how many pivots is too many pivots?! But I think that it ultimately is a good sign as it means we're following our curiosity, and passions, and evolving priorities.
A lot of creatives that hate being tied down to one thing tend to feel shame around pivoting, so you’re not alone! It’s due to the society we live in now, which praises “specialization” and choosing a “niche”.
Back in Renaissance times, however, people were applauded for having many interests!
Pivoting, and following your curiosity is —in my opinion— a sign of growth! ☘️ It means you’re paying attention, even if just on an intuitive level! 😉
(note: I’ll be sharing a post this week all about following our curiosity!)
I feel like the modern work structure of 5 days of clocking in and out 9-5 makes no sense?! Like….what? Of course fulltime is great for some people but the rigidity of it just doesn’t compute for me. Follow your curiosity and passions, all day everyday!
Wholely agree! I am not made for the 9-to-5!
I can’t tell you how alone I’ve felt in this for decades. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts around this polymath life. I’m so glad to have found your Substack, Anna, and fellow seekers💓
You're absolutely not alone!! One thing I've learned after writing about this type of work model and approach to life, is that there are SO many people out there doing life this way ❤️
It is so tough to find the center of the money, creativity, freedom and purpose Venn diagram. So happy to hear you have accomplished it (for now). Gives the rest of us hope.
It's possible 💗
We’re following very similar paths, it seems!
This post makes me incredibly happy and hopeful to read. You beautifully show what is possible but also, that "ditching traditional" also comes with embracing change and uncertainty as certain constants.
I quit corporate to venture into the world of academic research. However, I realise, I did so by also embarking on a unique way into a portfolio career to-be. Like working freelance consulting, small translation jobs, experimenting with photography and content, now working on different puzzle pieces of research and I know whatever is next, it will be a beautiful and unique mix which feels true to myself and my current life.
I'm relating so hard with this rn. Down to the age haha. Pivoted so much in my entire career and now i'm just carving my own path. Fuck tradition.
Hah really?! What happened/is happening for you at 35??
Haha after I got my degree, I was working in acct for big law firms, then I got sick of it and went into fraud for a few months, got moved to recruiting randomly by the start up I was working for. All this was happening in my 30s. So restarting careers was interesting and most of my friends are like wtf hahah. Theeeen layoffs happened, and I was like fuck it, let's do what I actually love, which is writing and I started my career in freelancing. Went from making lots of money to no money. I'm sure the money will come but rn, I'm just enjoying building it all up!
The money will come, stay the course!
Variety is the spice of life. I am fully on board with this movement.
Great choice adding the audio version, by the way! Might have to try that out for myself.
Definitely give the audio a crack! I had a lot of feedback from readers they prefer to listen, otherwise they sometimes skimmed, so I started adding the voiceover. Give the people what they want!
Very excited to follow this series :). We have a lot in common ...
Haha so we do!
I love this. It’s like we are all wise women and healers in the little village now (to speak in fairy tale realm)
looking forward to this deep dive!
A+ as always! Add to things to talk about on the 23rd!
We now have a rolling agenda and I love it
So true!!! And we want to be more in control of our success, have our own niche where we can have ownership, in "traditional employment" it’s so random I feel like… 🤷♀️
I think that there's nothing wrong with traditional employment per se, and that a lot of people thrive within that type of work structure. But it's not right for everyone, and I think a lot of people are starting to realise there's another way.
Impressive Stack Anna!
This was such a good read! I resonate with it so much, and my career has ebbed and flowed in the same way. Glad to see I’m not alone in the transition away from “traditional” ways!
Thank you! Lovely to meet someone else on a similarly squiggly path 🫶🏼
I had no idea the term I was looking for was a portfolio career.
Hopefully this has given you permission to fully go after a portfolio career, and build it with pride ❤️
It has, thank you 💕
❤️
I love this so much I could scream. I, too, am the Queen of the Career Pivot. Would love to share my story with your readers on how it's possible to defy the odds of the corporate cog wheel and make a living having fun.
Oh thank you 😍, love meeting other pivoters! When did you leave the corporate world?