Hi everyone,
I’ve been lurking on the forum for a while, soaking up the insights and stories shared here, and I’ve finally decided to start my own progress thread. I’m at a bit of a crossroads in my life, so I thought this would be a good way to document my journey, hold myself accountable, and hopefully connect with others on similar paths.
A little background: I recently quit my web design business. At first, I thought running my own business would give me freedom and control over my time, but instead, it felt like I was constantly on a hamster wheel. The demands from clients were relentless, and what frustrated me the most was their constant delays. They would push deadlines to the last minute, and their timelines never aligned with mine. I wanted to wrap up projects efficiently, but it felt like I was always stuck waiting for them to deliver their part. It became incredibly frustrating, and I eventually reached a point where I felt completely fed up with the cycle. Add in the pressure of balancing that business with my full-time job, and it became clear that something had to give.
On top of all that, last year I got married to my husband and we recently adopted two puppies. Life is busy, but in the best way. The web design business just wasn’t worth the stress anymore – it felt like it was holding me back rather than moving me forward.
So, I’ve decided to step back, keep my day job for now, and give myself space to think and experiment. I know I want to create something meaningful – ideally, a product that can help many people and grow beyond just trading my time for money. I’ve started toying with ideas but I’m keeping an open mind and not dismissing anything too quickly.
At the same time, I’ve been helping my dad with his publishing business. There’s potential there, but honestly, I’m not sure if it’s the right fit for me long-term. The website was built using an HTML template, and it feels unnecessarily clunky. When my dad asks me to add more books, it ends up feeling like hard work. I should have built it on WordPress from the start, which would have made updates much easier and more efficient. Dad also asks me to update his PDF catalogues as well, but is there a way to streamline it instead of manually editing everything in InDesign every time? It feels unnecessarily time-consuming, even though dad only asks me to update the website and the catalogue occasionally – about three times a year. Each request usually takes me one or two hours to complete, so it’s not too heavy on my workload. Still, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a way to streamline the process and make it more efficient.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what I want my life to look like. I’m 26, married, and have two puppies – I’ve already got responsibilities, but they don’t feel heavy. What feels heavy is the thought of being stuck in a job or business I don’t enjoy, just to pay the bills. I want more autonomy, more freedom, and a clearer path towards financial security.
Here’s what I know so far:
Thanks for reading, and I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you all. If anyone has advice, encouragement, or just wants to chat, I’m all ears.
I’ve been lurking on the forum for a while, soaking up the insights and stories shared here, and I’ve finally decided to start my own progress thread. I’m at a bit of a crossroads in my life, so I thought this would be a good way to document my journey, hold myself accountable, and hopefully connect with others on similar paths.
A little background: I recently quit my web design business. At first, I thought running my own business would give me freedom and control over my time, but instead, it felt like I was constantly on a hamster wheel. The demands from clients were relentless, and what frustrated me the most was their constant delays. They would push deadlines to the last minute, and their timelines never aligned with mine. I wanted to wrap up projects efficiently, but it felt like I was always stuck waiting for them to deliver their part. It became incredibly frustrating, and I eventually reached a point where I felt completely fed up with the cycle. Add in the pressure of balancing that business with my full-time job, and it became clear that something had to give.
On top of all that, last year I got married to my husband and we recently adopted two puppies. Life is busy, but in the best way. The web design business just wasn’t worth the stress anymore – it felt like it was holding me back rather than moving me forward.
So, I’ve decided to step back, keep my day job for now, and give myself space to think and experiment. I know I want to create something meaningful – ideally, a product that can help many people and grow beyond just trading my time for money. I’ve started toying with ideas but I’m keeping an open mind and not dismissing anything too quickly.
At the same time, I’ve been helping my dad with his publishing business. There’s potential there, but honestly, I’m not sure if it’s the right fit for me long-term. The website was built using an HTML template, and it feels unnecessarily clunky. When my dad asks me to add more books, it ends up feeling like hard work. I should have built it on WordPress from the start, which would have made updates much easier and more efficient. Dad also asks me to update his PDF catalogues as well, but is there a way to streamline it instead of manually editing everything in InDesign every time? It feels unnecessarily time-consuming, even though dad only asks me to update the website and the catalogue occasionally – about three times a year. Each request usually takes me one or two hours to complete, so it’s not too heavy on my workload. Still, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a way to streamline the process and make it more efficient.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what I want my life to look like. I’m 26, married, and have two puppies – I’ve already got responsibilities, but they don’t feel heavy. What feels heavy is the thought of being stuck in a job or business I don’t enjoy, just to pay the bills. I want more autonomy, more freedom, and a clearer path towards financial security.
Here’s what I know so far:
- I want to build a side hustle (or several) that doesn’t rely on constant client demands.
- I want to achieve financial freedom so I’m no longer trading time for money.
- I want to grow as a person, keep learning, and become fluent in Spanish.
- I want to enjoy the time I have with my husband and our puppies.
- Exploring side hustle ideas.
- Reading books that might give me new perspectives (currently: Million Dollar Weekend).
- Being more intentional about how I spend my time and energy.
- Updates on my progress (or lack of it).
- Reflections on balancing work and life in general.
- Honest thoughts about my wins, frustrations, and the realities of this journey.
Thanks for reading, and I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you all. If anyone has advice, encouragement, or just wants to chat, I’m all ears.
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