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52 Lessons From 52 Weeks of Being Self-Employed

Reflections on what it takes to be a full-time writer.

Anangsha Alammyan
The Startup

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(Image from the author’s Instagram)

When I quit my job one year ago, the biggest fear in my heart was for money.

Would I earn enough to sustain the new lifestyle? What if all my income streams run dry and I’ve to resort to borrowing from my family? What if no one's willing to pay for my words?

As it turns out, money should have been the least of my worries.

The biggest lesson in this yearlong journey is that if your heart’s into it and you're willing to adapt and improve, the money will keep flowing.

In this post, I’m sharing 52 lessons from 52 weeks of being self-employed. These lessons come straight from my heart and are in no particular order. If you’re considering going down a similar path, I hope you find inspiration and strength in them.

  1. Freelance writing is not easy. You have to adapt to the whims and wishes of the client. But if done right, it can be your most potent income stream.
  2. Relying on platforms for your paycheck every month is stupidity. Algorithms change, and no one owes you any money. The most innovative option is to diversify.
  3. The most lucrative skill you can learn is the art of networking. Most of my…

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