Thank you! Yes! I was always a cautious player re: my career/work. I had a few fabulous positions with horrendous leaders. I worked hard. All the time. Driven. Put most everything else in my life on hold, including my health. Until I couldn't any longer. After my husband's heart attack and triple bypass surgery and no relief at work, I said to myself, "Enough."
I quit my job--did not have another one waiting (but I did have enough cash stashed away). I began doing some consulting work. I began writing again. Within 9 months, a publication picked up a piece of my short fiction. Within a year, a magical part-time gig fell into my lap. I'm doing what my soul was meant to do. I'm heading to a week-long writers conference this fall and I'm working on a novel.
An interesting one Anna, though I am not sure ultimately we will all gain from AI. It reminds me of that old theatre analogy. The people in the front row stand up, thinking they will get a better view, so the people behind have to as well, and then the people behind them. Ultimately everyone would be better just sitting down! AI is an extraordinary technology, but it comes with huge social and environmental costs. What can seem like an advantage in the short term can lead to everyone losing out in the long term.
Love this. I often think that if you (as in me) are not willing to take on risk on yourself then why would anyone else? If you build it, they will come!!!
This was an excellent read. One of the most inspiring expressions of "the risk of not taking a risk" I've ever read! I think there's a lot of power in the idea that you have established more confidence in your fall back plan by diversifying those options and that in turn makes taking seemingly bigger risks actually a smaller risk.
You’re right Anna the risk of taking no risks at all is the worst. I realize that in my country, having a Bsc is like going to high school cert. So this July I started my masters in public health, in future preparation for a job in January, I also registered my company and I’m going to apply for a few funding. It’s better I start something now, than just sit down.
It is so much better to risk it all now than blame AI in the future when you could’ve done something today.
Thank you so much and I’m so happy I found you. You’re literally my favorite person right now.
This is very timely, thanks for sharing. I've been a freelance content writer for 10 years, but 2025 has been the toughest yet. Luckily I have one ongoing client, which hasn't covered my expenses, but I haven't managed to attract any new business. I feel I'm at a pivot point, mainly because AI is going to make a lot of content writers obsolete in the next year or two. For the first time, I'm trying to plan long term, which involves doing something I consider more meaningful (climate journalism), but I'm worried I won't earn enough. I'll still need another form of income, but my main concern is that content writing won't be an option, although I still have a few options to explore. But I feel like I've hit rock bottom this year, so willing to do whatever it takes to get back on track.
I'm so sorry to hear that and I think it's a very unstable and uncertain time for a lot of people in a lot of different professions. I wonder if there are other areas you diversify into, outside of writing?
Thanks Anna. Content strategy is the obvious area, but that's no more future-proofed than writing. It has occured to me that maybe I need to target industries and sectors where human input and, more importantly, trust are at a premium. Hence my interest in climate journalism.
I would love to hear more about how you intentionally surround yourself with other "big thinking" founders and solopreneurs. Are there communities or masterminds (hate that word haha) that have been particularly helpful?
It's a few things! I pay two mentors/coaches and it's the best investment ever. I also work 1 day a week in an office full of founders and creatives, and being surrounded by the business chit-chat is really awesome. I also actively connect with people in the business world on social that I admire, and many of those people have become good friends.
Thank you! Yes! I was always a cautious player re: my career/work. I had a few fabulous positions with horrendous leaders. I worked hard. All the time. Driven. Put most everything else in my life on hold, including my health. Until I couldn't any longer. After my husband's heart attack and triple bypass surgery and no relief at work, I said to myself, "Enough."
I quit my job--did not have another one waiting (but I did have enough cash stashed away). I began doing some consulting work. I began writing again. Within 9 months, a publication picked up a piece of my short fiction. Within a year, a magical part-time gig fell into my lap. I'm doing what my soul was meant to do. I'm heading to a week-long writers conference this fall and I'm working on a novel.
DO IT. Take that risk!
This is such a beautiful story! Life has a funny way of working itself out when you back yourself.
“There’s risk in taking no risks. In a twisted turn of events, playing it safe is no longer safe.” I love this line, and this makes so much sense.
I really believe it's true, more now than ever.
An interesting one Anna, though I am not sure ultimately we will all gain from AI. It reminds me of that old theatre analogy. The people in the front row stand up, thinking they will get a better view, so the people behind have to as well, and then the people behind them. Ultimately everyone would be better just sitting down! AI is an extraordinary technology, but it comes with huge social and environmental costs. What can seem like an advantage in the short term can lead to everyone losing out in the long term.
I totally hear you. There's tremendous upside but also a lot of potential downside. It's slightly terrifying 😒
I know its a substack cliché but I needed this right at this exact moment. Thank you 💜
You're so welcome ❤️
Love this. I often think that if you (as in me) are not willing to take on risk on yourself then why would anyone else? If you build it, they will come!!!
If you build it they will come, and if they don't come you can try something else 🥰
This was an excellent read. One of the most inspiring expressions of "the risk of not taking a risk" I've ever read! I think there's a lot of power in the idea that you have established more confidence in your fall back plan by diversifying those options and that in turn makes taking seemingly bigger risks actually a smaller risk.
Thank you! I massively appreciate that 🫶🏼
This headline/title 😍
🥰
Hello! I loved your post — I’ve already subscribed. Hope you can check mine too!
The safe path never leads to where you want to go! Betting on yourself and facing uncertainty head on are powerful skills to cultivate
Very true 😊
You’re right Anna the risk of taking no risks at all is the worst. I realize that in my country, having a Bsc is like going to high school cert. So this July I started my masters in public health, in future preparation for a job in January, I also registered my company and I’m going to apply for a few funding. It’s better I start something now, than just sit down.
It is so much better to risk it all now than blame AI in the future when you could’ve done something today.
Thank you so much and I’m so happy I found you. You’re literally my favorite person right now.
I'm Ral and it’s amazing meeting you♥️
Thanks Ral 🥹 it's so amazing meeting you here too!
This is very timely, thanks for sharing. I've been a freelance content writer for 10 years, but 2025 has been the toughest yet. Luckily I have one ongoing client, which hasn't covered my expenses, but I haven't managed to attract any new business. I feel I'm at a pivot point, mainly because AI is going to make a lot of content writers obsolete in the next year or two. For the first time, I'm trying to plan long term, which involves doing something I consider more meaningful (climate journalism), but I'm worried I won't earn enough. I'll still need another form of income, but my main concern is that content writing won't be an option, although I still have a few options to explore. But I feel like I've hit rock bottom this year, so willing to do whatever it takes to get back on track.
I'm so sorry to hear that and I think it's a very unstable and uncertain time for a lot of people in a lot of different professions. I wonder if there are other areas you diversify into, outside of writing?
Thanks Anna. Content strategy is the obvious area, but that's no more future-proofed than writing. It has occured to me that maybe I need to target industries and sectors where human input and, more importantly, trust are at a premium. Hence my interest in climate journalism.
I would love to hear more about how you intentionally surround yourself with other "big thinking" founders and solopreneurs. Are there communities or masterminds (hate that word haha) that have been particularly helpful?
It's a few things! I pay two mentors/coaches and it's the best investment ever. I also work 1 day a week in an office full of founders and creatives, and being surrounded by the business chit-chat is really awesome. I also actively connect with people in the business world on social that I admire, and many of those people have become good friends.