Self-Employment and "Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel:" Freedom... or Stress? by denmarkguy

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· @denmarkguy ·
$1.40
Self-Employment and "Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel:" Freedom... or Stress?
One of the primary reasons I have been self-employed for many years is because I wanted a measure of *"freedom"* in my life.

Now, I realize people have thousands of different definitions of what *freedom* means to them; in *this* particular context, I am talking about the particular freedom that comes with not *"having to"* go an assigned place at an assigned time every day, to do an assigned task for someone else... who *may* — or may not (more likely) — give a damn about my contribution.

![1042-Sunset.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcuWmMrA6Q43zbEqM1pLzCU5UMcuNPqjqqSQBLsXSZFdP/1042-Sunset.jpg)

## *Why Choose Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment?*

Some people tell us that choosing this independent path is actually a form of *selfishness;* a statement that we *"don't play well with others,"* or that we're not skilled at *"playing the game."*

I suppose — *by conventional measures* — there is some truth to my not being competitive enough to make it in a cutthroat corporate environment, as well as my not playing well with others. I tend to be far more of a *loner* than a *team player,* and that holds true of many other so-called *solopreneurs* I have met.

But what feels more like a *confession* here is the fact that I am just not a very *ambitious* person by nature... and that has always limited my ability to work within corpotate structures.

My only real reason for working — *at all* — is so I can *live;* I would *never* be one of those workaholic types who *"live to WORK."*


![1082-FerryHorizon.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUSfqctbEToHP1FNsXbsYggiXCDYM5LiHpusZFRr86eQr/1082-FerryHorizon.jpg)
*The ferry is slightly over the horizon*

## *Hard Lessons Learned?*

There is, indeed, a good bit of freedom in working for yourself... but a lot of people forget that self-employment does *not* mean that you suddenly have the freedom to *not work.* 

I'm only *half* kidding when I say that I have the freedom *to work ANY 60 hours a week that I choose.*

And that *is* my freedom, because I am just not much of a morning person, so my workday typically goes from noon till midnight, or something along those lines.

I am, however, not a *"successful"* entrepreneur, at least not in the *monetary* sense. Although I have my *freedom,* what I do have never served to get me more than a very *fundamental* living... according to how the US government measures things, our household flirts with the poverty line, most years.

![1099-Rialto.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQZj6cPt8pvDfFkroBiFDrDLNZDRRs5Wthj7vHSwHJiX6/1099-Rialto.jpg)

## *Contentment, All the Same!*

Although that might all sound a bit grim, and you'll periodically hear me complain about *the cost of living* and our *not being able to afford things,* bottom line is that I would have no interest in trading in this existence for a *"regular"* job. 

Which brings the realization that you *can't* put a monetary value on contentment and being grateful for the life you have. 

And meanwhile, I get to sit here at 11:30 at night and write blog posts on Steemit!

Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!

***How about YOU? Are you self-employed? How has that life worked out for you? If you're NOT, has it ever been something you wished for?  Give me a shout back... Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!***

***(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — NOT A CROSSPOST!!!)
Created at 20210220 23:40 PST
x108***
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vote details (108)
@playfulfoodie ·
$0.04
I know I want to be self employed. Basically for the same reasons as you've mentioned here.
I think this is my first Steemit post/reply/whatever in two years time and THAT is also why I want to be self-employed. Since getting my job, I've been too tired to do the designing and blogging I did before that. The things I used to enjoy. The only reason I'm even visiting Steemit again is because I'm home, overworked, again.
My only problem is, I'm not sure what I  could do! Flirting with the idea of going back to designing and blogging, but that won't earn me much. Oh well, we'll see once I get better.
Either way, your post really resonates with me at this particular time! Happy you manage to make it work.
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vote details (1)
@denmarkguy ·
$0.08
Hi there **@playfulfoodie!** I remember you from *"way back when,"* nice to see you again, whether just for today or for a while!

I think I just needed to make peace — I mean *really* make peace — with the fact that self-employment (at least on my terms) was just not going to be the read to wealth. But I can't put a monetary value on well-being, and being able to sleep at night. Plus... I really like my daily *"commute"* from the bedroom to my home office!
👍  
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@playfulfoodie ·
Yeah, I think as long as it's still managable, personal well-being is definitely a big plus of self-employment. The commute sounds great too! And the abillity to move your hours around for moments of inspiration and sunny days :-)
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