My experience with self employment

I am in front of the mirror doing my eye makeup, it’s 10 in the morning and already had my morning planned, after getting ready I am heading to the studio to carry on working that acrylic painting I  left undone. I was in the middle of putting my eyeliner when the words started to crash in my brain, I am no longer focusing, I have to jump and grab my notebook before I forget, I had to write it all down, this experience, this journey, I need to share it with you.
It is nearly a year and half since I gave up my day job as an art teacher and became a self employed artist, working from my little studio with my jazz music on and cat sunbathing on the floor. For some of you it may seem as a short time to be writing this, or it may seem like their jobs has already shown them all of those sides but for me, it’s not the case at all. Those are all new things I have lived with recently,In this year ,which was not a piece of cake at all, I have grown so much in every way possible. To me, being a free lance artist showed me all those different aspects that I didn’t know before.

Self confidence booster.
Often when you work on your own you have to make extra effort to get to know all the connections yourself, you need to explore and ask and get to know people and places who will be helpful in your field. For me it was mostly looking for printing services and art tool suppliers and best shipping offices. It may be so hard at first, especially if you are shy or not used to all this, as my self. But with time you will find yourself overcoming situations and taking chances and making deals you may never imagined, it may surprises you!

Starting to take better care of yourself.
When I used to be in a day job before I remember skipping meals, drinking instant coffee and using dry shampoo all the times! I was Always. always in a rush! Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that, and  i was so happy with my other jobs as well, but my health care has improved so much since I have been working on my own. I now try to be self aware most of the time, I avoid sitting for long long hours on the desk without moving, I stretch every now and then, I stand up and make my coffee freshly and slowly,  there is actually nothing wrong with taking more than one power nap if you’re dealing with a migraine or a tight schedule. You know. Leonardo da Vinci’s sleep schedule included 20-minute naps every four hours.  

It teaches you self discipline.
In many many many ways! You will feel that you are not only responsible for earning money yourself, you are also responsible for all the time you have. You are responsible for the energy there is to allow you to create something, it’s easy to lay in bed all day waiting miracles to happen, but it need a well power to show up everyday on your desk, even with the lack of appreciation and the lack of daily encouragement from others, because you know that you can reach a goal even if it as little as getting out of bed and create each day or as big as inventing something that doesn’t exist. You are able to reach your goals by gaining self discipline.

Flexibility.
This might be my favorite part so far, feeling the freedom not just in term of the working hours and days, but what tasks to do first. Aside from the daily tasks,Lately I started setting a weekly  “to-do”List as well,and as the week goes by I choose what I want to cross of that list depending on my mood, my energy and the weather in that day until the list is all checked . I find this method works best for me, especially the weather, it plays major factor in my work; filming a video, taking professional photograph of my painting, sketching outside, going out on a film photography getaway or even  just spending all the working day in my studio, with no external encounter at all. each one has a specific lighting and atmosphere that seems to makes it much easier.

Getting to know yourself more.
Obviously, if you are setting with yourself all those hours thinking, brainstorming, creating, deciding , arguing with those inner voices, you are gonna learn a hell of a lot about yourself. You would start noticing what annoys you what pleases you most. you open your heart to yourself more and more every day which in my opinion, the best thing anyone can do.

Money management.
When you are aware of the fact that there is no fixed amount of money will go to your bank account by the end of the month, you will learn to spend your money wisely and steady. you will learn to set plans ahead to be able to invest on future projects. You will find yourself eating less and less outside, buying materials according to your needs online and finding many ways to cheer you up other than going on a shopping spree! 

It is  rather a lonely job.
There is no coffee break on the balcony with a co worker. On a bad day, there is nobody to tell “t’s almost done, you can do it”. There is no new people to meet and share interest with, there is no one to laugh with you when you do something clumsy or stupid, there is no after work events with the other employees or excitement for a sudden day off, you are on your own for most of the time. Even though i have always been the silent one in the group, but I can’t express enough how much I miss my friends at work, even the hardest task and the tightest schedules and deadlines used to seem easy because we shared everything.

No steady incomes, no monthly paycheck.
This one is the hardest, for someone who is used to receive a paycheck every end of the month. It can be scary in every meaning. However, as I said before, this will teach you how to set your priorities first and save money in your account to always be in the safe side. 

Uncertainty.
Uncertainty is an evil thought that will possess you  some nights it will be almost impossible to escape. I can’t count the times I was almost about to shatter into million pieces from the fear of the unknown. Will there be clients next month? Is this all going to waste? Am I just passing days without actually reaching somewhere? Is there anybody even who would set the time to watch what I have done or care what I have to say? Will it ever be anybody who would like to hang one of my artworks in there home? Will someone appreciate what I have spent days and month creating? Can I do it? All those questions will hunt you endlessly but  you faith in your dream, your open heart and your soul will pick you up and remind you what is it that really matters. I live to inspire and be inspired, to explore this word through art and creation, and the rest will follows.

Comparing yourself with others.
The worst, I know! But since your alone most of the time, and if you were a beginner, you try and seek help from other free lancers in the same field as you are, and there is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes we over do it and without knowing you would be spinning in circles of self doubt and insecurity.I try to remind myself that every artist is different, everyone has his own journey and path to follow, for some it can lead to an instant success but for some it may need a little more time, the most important thing is to stay focused, stay true to yourself and never giving up.
It helps to take sometime off from social media in general, try to seek inspiration and advice from other sources from time to time.

The need to market your self.
This is still a HUGE struggle for me and i know I should set more energy and time to it. You will need to read and search the most effective marketing tools to show your work online, especially if you are selling products. From my personal point of you, there are way too many great artists (painter,writers, musicians) that are still invisible due to their lack of marketing knowledge and others whom became so famous because they use such techniques. I know I don’t have the slightest idea about how to market my self and my work, but its something I will learn in time, hopefully.

Nobody knows what the future holds, but I like to think of my self differently in the future, not necessarily leading the same lifestyle as now. As much as I am enjoying every second of this path I have created currently but I miss teaching terribly, I miss sharing my knowledge and planning for classes and setting workshops, making people wanting to paint and express their selves, I miss having that teacher-students relation.

If  I were  to advice you something, I’d want you to be sure It’s definitely a voyage filled with surprise, freedom ,disappointments, obstacles, support, and inspiration, just like everything else in life. The most important thing is to learn as much as you can while you have it. And never, ever lose the joy of giving.Don’t give up because of a bad day or a gloomy week or a tough month , stop questioning yourself and head to do what you are passionate about.