When I was little, success meant an office with a name on the door and a steady paycheck. No one talked about the possibility of forging my own path or building something from scratch. I followed the formula: study hard, get good grades, land a stable job. I never imagined I could be my own boss or define success on my own terms.
The 9-to-5 grind felt safe. A paycheck landing in my account every two weeks was reassuring. But after a while, I started to wonder: is this it? A life of meetings, deadlines, and someone else’s vision?
The pandemic cracked that certainty wide open. I saw people launching businesses from their living rooms, turning passions into income streams. Women were stepping into entrepreneurship with an energy I couldn’t ignore. And I thought, why not me?
So I started small—researching after work, scribbling ideas in notebooks, battling procrastination. It’s hard juggling a full-time job and a side project. Some nights I collapse on the couch, phone in hand, convincing myself I deserve a break. But then I picture the life I’m working toward: morning walks without rushing, choosing projects that excite me, calling the shots.
I haven’t quit my job yet. I still show up for the 9-to-5, but now I see it as a stepping stone, not a trap. My paycheck helps me invest in my dream. My time after work is no longer spent aimlessly scrolling but planting seeds for my future.
I’m still trying to figure out how to become independent, how to find a project that makes me happy and also provides a living. My path isn’t clear yet, but I hold onto the idea of working for my dreams until one day, hopefully, I can live off them and stop working toward someone else’s vision.
If you’re sitting at your desk, feeling that tug toward something more, start small. Ten minutes a day. A single idea scribbled on a napkin. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to begin.
Because the fear of failure is real, but the regret of never trying? That lingers much longer. And you? You deserve to see what might happen if you bet on yourself.
I’d love to hear from you: have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? If you’ve already taken the leap, what was the hardest part of the journey? What advice would you give to someone just starting out? Or maybe you love the structure and security of a 9-to-5 job—what is it that makes that lifestyle work for you? Let’s share our experiences and learn from each other.
xo
SheSpeaksBold
