I don’t know if anyone feels the same way, but I am tired of the 9-5 rat race. I’m a writer for a fairly well-known magazine, which I thought was my dream job, but I’m feeling totally burnt-out. If I told my college self that I had this dilemma right now, she wouldn’t believe it. I have everything I thought I wanted, but I hate coming home exhausted every day. I barely have any time to myself at night before starting the same routine the next day. I’m trapped in a neverending hampster wheel — also known as the corporate world.

I feel like I’m completely underpaid and undervalued for my work. The magazine is constantly throwing out more articles for me to write and filling my eight-hour workday to the brim. It’s fine because I love writing, but I feel like I’m being taken advantage of because I’m paid a fixed rate. The magazine constantly overloads me with articles because, well, they can. I don’t get paid per article as many other writer friends do, especially freelancers.

I’m thinking about freelancing because it frustrates me knowing I’m writing more than many freelancers but making far less money. It’s not all about the money, though, as I feel like the freelance lifestyle is so much more enjoyable. I love the idea of setting my hours and rates. Instead of putting my career and livelihood in the hands of the corporate world, I could have complete control over my life. Who’s to say I couldn’t work from a café and then go to a pilates class at noon?

Here’s my problem: the uncertainty of it all cripples me. I’m not sure I have what it takes to make it as a freelancer. I would need to quit my job and start a new journey — with no idea how it would go. I love the idea of being financially independent, but I’m wondering if anyone else has jumped into the freelance world? I love the endless opportunities it presents, but I’d love some tips and tricks to get my potential new career started. Thank you in advance!