I am still in my corporate job, freelancing on the side. Part of me wants to leap. Part of me is scared I am romanticizing entrepreneurship. When did you know it was time to leave? Was there a specific moment or was it gradual?

I got written up for being five minutes late after working until midnight the night before. That was the moment. Corporate does not reward effort. It rewards compliance. I chose effort on my own terms.

I did not leap. I was pushed. Laid off. Best thing that ever happened to me. Sometimes the universe makes the decision for you. My advice: have six months of expenses saved before you choose. Have three months saved before you are chosen.

Gradual. Six months of Sunday night dread. Then three months of crying in my car before work. Then one month of planning my exit. The leap was scary. Staying was scarier.

@Marcus_C I needed that distinction. I have four months saved. Not enough to choose. Enough to survive being chosen. Going to tighten my freelance pipeline before I make any moves. Thank you.

When I got written up for being five minutes late after working until midnight. The rules felt arbitrary and I couldn't pretend otherwise anymore.

I didn't realize it. I got laid off. Best thing that ever happened. Sometimes the universe makes the decision for you.

The gradual dread. Six months of Sunday night anxiety. Then three months of crying in my car. Then one month of planning. The leap was scary but staying was scarier.

I never fit. Always questioned processes, always suggested changes, always got labeled difficult. Turns out I was just entrepreneurial in the wrong building.

When I calculated my hourly rate at my corporate job and realized I could make the same in two freelance days. The math was undeniable.

I got written up for being five minutes late after working until midnight. The rules felt arbitrary. I couldn't pretend otherwise.

My boss told me I needed to "pay my dues." I calculated my dues would take twelve years. I quit that afternoon.

I never fit. Always questioned processes, always suggested changes, always got labeled difficult. It is soooo much better when you are your own boss. Its a lot of work, dont get me wrong, but you dont have a ceiling like in a 9-5. The sky is the limit, it all comes down to how hard you want it and how much effort you do

Got written up for being five minutes late after working until midnight. the rules felt arbitrary and i couldn't pretend otherwise. that was the moment.

The moment was gradual. Six months of Sunday night dread. Then three months of crying in my car. Then one month of planning. The leap was scary but staying was scarier.

I got laid off. Best thing that ever happened. Sometimes the universe makes the decision for you and all you have to do is say thank you.

My boss told me i needed to pay my dues. i calculated my dues would take twelve years. i quit that afternoon. no plan. no savings. just couldn't do it.

I never fit. always questioned processes, always suggested changes, always got labeled difficult. turns out i was just entrepreneurial in the wrong building. took me five years to figure that out.

The moment was gradual. six months of sunday night dread. then three months of crying in my car. then one month of planning. the leap was scary but staying was scarier. classic story but true.

Got laid off. best thing that ever happened. sometimes the universe makes the decision for you and all you have to do is say thank you. silver linings exist.