Thank you so much for this. I have loved your newsletter (ever since the first time Virginia Sole-Smith interviewed you, I think) and loved YDNAB. I recently had to pause all my paid substack subscriptions (small comfort but I wanted to let you know it’s not because I don’t think this Substack is worth the money!) because my freelance work has dried up the past two years and I am currently looking to make the jump back to employment.
Just knowing I am not alone, that I am not the only one who is tired of being the boss, but also tired of the dehumanizing process of job searching, means a lot to me. Thank you again.
I have always wanted to write for a living and to have enough money to get by. That’s looked different as the world and my life have gone on. Newspapers, advertising, online magazines, novels, SEO, Medium, Substack. I do a lot of little things and nothing has paid off big (other than one crazy viral article that still feeds me) but I persist.
Capitalism requires growth. So our society defines happiness as success and success as growth. I am glad you have been able to separate your needs from those society dictates.
My household took an intentional, substantial income cut in 2021 and it’s one of the best things I have ever done. My quality of life and mental health is more than worth the money. But it still requires constant conscious effort to battle my growth conditioning.
This article resonated with me a lot. I recently took a job that pays substantially less than my previous job and another job offer I received, because they offered me a flexible schedule and a 4 day work week. I have young children so I felt like this was most important for this time in my life. However, I’ve been struggling to get by financially and seeing all of my peers making more than me has also been weighing on me heavily. All this is to say that I appreciate your perspective, as always, because it’s helped to expand mine.
Thank you 💖 That’s amazing that you got that flexibility and short week that you need right now. It’s so unfair that you have to trade pay for the ability to show up for your kids.
Thank you for saying that because it does leave me feeling so torn! Especially because I tried to find a position that would allow for both. Part of me secretly hopes I still do
Even if I hadn't asked the question that prompted this essay, I would've loved reading every word! I DID love reading every word. Your work here matters so much and has helped me dismantle so much shame. Your big-hearted, open, and vulnerable sharing here* generally but in this post specifically is helping me dislodge even more of those shame remnants. *Thank you,* Dana. <3
* Your willingness to use actual numbers is a HUGE part of that.
Thank you so much for this. I have loved your newsletter (ever since the first time Virginia Sole-Smith interviewed you, I think) and loved YDNAB. I recently had to pause all my paid substack subscriptions (small comfort but I wanted to let you know it’s not because I don’t think this Substack is worth the money!) because my freelance work has dried up the past two years and I am currently looking to make the jump back to employment.
Just knowing I am not alone, that I am not the only one who is tired of being the boss, but also tired of the dehumanizing process of job searching, means a lot to me. Thank you again.
You're absolutely not alone. We don't talk about this enough in the "online entrepreneur" space, but sometimes, we work for other people!
Thank you so much for reading (and thanks to Virginia!!), and for reading YDNAB 💖
I have always wanted to write for a living and to have enough money to get by. That’s looked different as the world and my life have gone on. Newspapers, advertising, online magazines, novels, SEO, Medium, Substack. I do a lot of little things and nothing has paid off big (other than one crazy viral article that still feeds me) but I persist.
I do not need to be rich. I do need to write.
Yes!
Capitalism requires growth. So our society defines happiness as success and success as growth. I am glad you have been able to separate your needs from those society dictates.
My household took an intentional, substantial income cut in 2021 and it’s one of the best things I have ever done. My quality of life and mental health is more than worth the money. But it still requires constant conscious effort to battle my growth conditioning.
That conditioning is so deep.
This article resonated with me a lot. I recently took a job that pays substantially less than my previous job and another job offer I received, because they offered me a flexible schedule and a 4 day work week. I have young children so I felt like this was most important for this time in my life. However, I’ve been struggling to get by financially and seeing all of my peers making more than me has also been weighing on me heavily. All this is to say that I appreciate your perspective, as always, because it’s helped to expand mine.
Thank you 💖 That’s amazing that you got that flexibility and short week that you need right now. It’s so unfair that you have to trade pay for the ability to show up for your kids.
Thank you for saying that because it does leave me feeling so torn! Especially because I tried to find a position that would allow for both. Part of me secretly hopes I still do
Keep looking! You deserve it, and those jobs are out there.
Thank you so much 🥲
Even if I hadn't asked the question that prompted this essay, I would've loved reading every word! I DID love reading every word. Your work here matters so much and has helped me dismantle so much shame. Your big-hearted, open, and vulnerable sharing here* generally but in this post specifically is helping me dislodge even more of those shame remnants. *Thank you,* Dana. <3
* Your willingness to use actual numbers is a HUGE part of that.
What a wonderful and honest post 💜... as someone having been self employed for nearly 30 years I understand what you are talking about.
It’s a trip!