I have never had any formal training in photography or in running a business. I have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education, so when this business fell into my lap, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into.
Wanna know five things they didn’t tell me about being self-employed/working from home?
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The importance of taking a break.
You left your regular job to be your own boss, and then we often treat ourselves worse. Not only should you take ACTUAL breaks from work (close your office door at night, be off on the weekends, take a vacation), but also during the day. Get up, stretch, eat some food, call a friend – because if you don’t you’ll burn out, and you’ll burn out FAST.
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Sometimes people won’t take you seriously.
“So, what do you do exactly?” is a question people ask you when you say you work from home. Those who work in a creative industry are taken less seriously because it’s not really viewed as a legitimate career/source of income.
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You’re going to want to quit.
You’re going to reach a point where you’ll have to decide if this is really what you want to keep doing, because you’ll reach your lowest low and you’ll wonder if this is it for you. I’ve been there more times than I care to share recently and the next morning I always get to work because I don’t want to be anything else.
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You’ll wonder if you actually need to get dressed today.
The answer should always be yes, in case you wanted to know.
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It’s all 100% worth it.
Every self doubt, every panicked day, and late night of work will never trump the joy you get from doing what you love the most.
Linda is a Maine-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com. To sign up for the monthly newsletter full of encouragement and real life, click here!
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