I Lost My Main Income – Now What?
I'm writing this letter you in real time, mere hours after the fact, but you won't see it for a few weeks yet.
This morning I woke up and checked my emails. It was a client day, meaning I work from 8am–4:30pm for a copywriting client, three days a week (they are my last copywriting client, and I am happy to have them on board because #consistency #regularincome).
The email in question was from my lovely supervisor, who had the shitty job of informing me of budget cuts. My previous six day fortnight had already been dropped down to four, and now, to zero.
I read the email, letting it sink in. Sent a reply, hoping that I sounded nice and understanding, because I truly do understand. I expected this weeks ago, and every day that I've shown up at my desk, I've been grateful for the luxury of still having work.
So here I am, on my last day for the foreseeable future, and I'm surprisingly okay.
I called my parents and told them. They were obviously concerned, but I'd already applied for Job Keeper (something I recommend all sole traders who are experiencing a loss in income do too. There's no shame in asking for help when it's already being offered) and had had my meltdown weeks ago when I fretted about the economy collapsing (and that's about the time that I stopped reading the news).
Although it's shit, I don't mind. Reflecting now, I wonder if I somehow manifested this. I always dreamed of taking my coaching full time, and figured I would know when the right time was to take a higher leap, and now the Universe has kind of cleared the path for me.
As of next week, I will have seven days of uninterrupted me time. Meaning I can finally get more of Rust's projects off the ground (such as building our masterclass library), record and produce season 2 of Rhythm & Words, and have plenty of mental space to complete my novel ahead of entering a manuscript competition at the end of this month (May, when you're reading this).
I wanted to share this...milestone? event? experience? with you today as I don't see it as a failure. I didn't do anything wrong, and if you're in a similar position with your business or workplace, please remember: neither did you.
The effects of this pandemic are out of our hands, and I don't see the point in complaining or wishing otherwise.
We've been handed a prescription from the Earth insisting we slow down and stay home, so that's what I plan on doing. Well, the slow part might be a little trickier, but I'll do my best.
Love, Viv
Taken the leap and not sure where to go next?
Going full time with your creative work is exhilarating – but it can also be pretty scary too. If you’re seeking guidance during this time, I’d love to help you out.