Even before the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 hit - which changed the world of work for everyone around us, possibly forever – I'd shifted to working from home, and out of the 9-5 working pattern.
I was diagnosed with a chronic pelvic pain condition called Endometriosis in 2017, which is a condition that causes chronic pain to my abdomen, bladder, back and legs, along with other symptoms such as nausea and fatigue. Coping with my full-time agency job was becoming more and more difficult and by the age of 25, I was already burnt out.
So in August 2018, I took a massive risk and made the decision to leave the security of agency employment. I had no freelance clients at this point, and no plan really at all, I just knew with surgery ahead, it was time for me to move on.
Writing this, after celebrating almost two years freelancing, I can honestly say it was the best decision I could have made. During the last conversation with my previous employer, the phrase 'some people just aren't cut out for working in an agency' stung me bad. And I was left feeling like the career path that I loved maybe wasn't suited to me. But now, looking back over all I've achieved since starting out on my own, and how much better my overall well-being is working from home, for myself, I realised maybe I'm not cut out for agency life after all, maybe my path is destined to be different, and that's just fine with me. I can set my own hours, work in comfort of my own home and still give 100% to my clients and my work.
Being quite a private person, I've always kept my pain condition pretty close to my chest, but being a company of one, I learned fast that I need to be honest with my clients so that they know and have an understanding if they can't reach me on certain days. It's difficult to mix personal health with business, but by talking and opening up about my Endometriosis, I have honestly been met with so much kindness and understanding and I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that I'm so grateful to each and every one of my clients for working with me. Whether for a short or a long time, your support has allowed me to continue to grow my business and has helped me get to where I am, two years on. Thank you.
If you're interested in learning more about endometriosis visit these links below:
If you're an employer, have you considered joining the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme to support your staff members who may be silently living with this invisible illness?
Head here for more information:
https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/scheme