My feelings about getting laid off have gotten somewhat more complicated. The happy is still there, and the millions of ideas about what to do next, but now there's the sad, too - I'm not going to be able to walk over to Mr.S's office any time I want to tell someone about a really exciting interview I just did or talk through an idea or find out what I missed on Project Runway. I won't be able to go to J.Ber's office to complain about my stories and talk about knitting. (I'll still hang out with Barkley.) There's no cafeteria in my house.
I'm still kind of disappointed that the dream job at the dream employer didn't work out. And, looking forward, I'm daunted by the task of writing enough pieces to make up my income, and wondering if I can even make enough money to subsist on - let alone support my expensive travel habit.
I've also had time for my brain to start popping out weird little tidbits about the reality of freelancing. I'm going to have to pay for phone calls, including international calls. If I need notebooks, I have to buy notebooks. Everything in my office is coming home and staying here, not moving out into another office. I need a better home phone. What the heck am I going to do with all my business cards from my employer? Oh shoot, I need new business cards. But first I need a website. How am I going to buy off the person who has my URL now? Should I get a phone that can do e-mail? Which one? Isn't data service expensive?
And so on. It's exhausting.
10 comments:
One thing at a time. You'll do fine freelancing. You just have to run it like a little business. Start with skype. Skype out for international calls is dirt cheap. I talked to China for an hour for about $5. There. One issue resolved.
Also, if you need notebooks, just come by my office. I'll hook you up.
(Note to horrified readers: Giving away notebooks to reporters is encouraged by my employer.)
Oh, and this could be your excuse to get one of those Google phones, and deduct it from your taxes. Or an iPhone!
Avoid "smart" phones unless you can find a truly compelling reason to get one that is work related. Data plans start cheap, but once you get into them you invariably find that you need more data then you think you do and it adds up quickly.
Start with the business cards. Then knit a business card holder. Once that's done we'll go from there.
Come chat with me about the cell phone/data plan piece when you're ready. I know way the heck too much about that stuff as it is, and you are more than welcome to pick my brain any time you want.
Um, ok, I didn't know you people were going to *solve* all my problems. You rock!!
I can contribute nothing but good wishes and optimism.
And you know what? I love that, too.
I'm not as good with "here is what you should do" as I am at "look at it this way." So, look at it this way. The dream job didn't work out the way you hoped but that opens up the entire world, literally in your case, for a new dream. I can't wait to see what you will do next.
I can contribute a very good lentil curry recipe. Great food on the cheap. :-)
And I provide the standing offer of chocolate martinis and couch napping at my place (or yours -- have alcohol, will travel) anytime!
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