When I quit my full-time role in marketing seven months ago for the sake of my mental health, I had no idea what the future held. Of course, the plan was to become self-employed since I was earning enough money on the side to justify the leap. But just days after handing in my notice, the company I was freelancing for decided to swap out human proofreaders for AI, meaning what would’ve been my only source of income vanished almost overnight. I went from feeling cautiously optimistic to completely untethered in a matter of days.
Today, I’m reflecting on that shift—on walking away from a workplace where I’d been discriminated against for being autistic, and the winding path that’s led me to where I am now.
Luckily, I’d left my full-time job in August with enough money aside to last me until the end of 2024, even if I didn’t find any work in the meantime. Still, being the catastrophiser I am, the fear of reaching 2025 with nothing coming in sat heavy on my chest. I didn’t even make it a month out of work before I was scouring the internet for a part-time role to help tide me over.
I got pretty lucky here, if I’m honest, as a temporary proofreading role for a science marketing company came up soon after. I found myself working three days a week and earning enough money to get by for another couple of months more than planned. Being in an office again so soon after my previous work trauma was tough, but I stuck it out for the sake of being able to continue to pay my bills.
I stayed in that role for two months and even got a month’s worth of freelance editing out of it afterwards. Unfortunately, this didn’t last long, as the work itself wasn’t worth the freelance fees the company paid. I would’ve loved to take on more work from them, but I received feedback that my edits seemed rushed, which, I have to admit, they were, because if I took any longer, I’d be working for about £5 an hour. And that just wasn’t worth it. As much as I enjoyed the work and my time temping for the company, I do feel like the freelance rates kind of took the mickey.
Still, I look back on my time there fondly. The people were nice, the work was engaging, and I was grateful to have it when I did. By the time it got to the new year, I had enough aside to ensure my bills were paid until the end of April. But I was still no closer to finding more freelance work.
Fast forward three months, and my previous client (the one I was banking on when I left my full-time job in August) now has more work for me. It’s sporadic, sure, but it’s something. Turns out AI isn’t massively useful when it comes to proofreading after all. Who would’ve thought it? I’d missed freelancing for this company a lot. I’d been previously employed by them anyway, so I know how they operate, which helps. I’ve always stayed friendly with the staff too, which is why I was the first person they reached out to when work picked up again.
But that’s not my only source of income at the moment. A couple of months ago, a local cat shelter I used to volunteer at advertised on Facebook that it was looking for maternity cover for one of its paid staff members. In a moment of spontaneity, I applied. It was just a Saturday role, but I missed being around the cats, and I’ve always wanted to work with animals, so it felt like a good starting point for my CV.
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t expecting to even get an interview. I knew loads of people would apply, especially former volunteers, but I took a chance, because why not?
Well, I’m pleased to say that I did get the role, and I’ve been working at Heatons Cats for the past few weeks now. It’s definitely different to volunteering there—although I don’t have to clean out the residents’ pens, I also don’t get as much time to fuss over them either. In fact, I actually have to play the bad guy and be the one to administer medication, which understandably, many of them don’t like! But it feels good being around all the cats again (sorry, Brie and Eddie, you know I love you both the most!). And it feels good to be earning a stable income too. It’s not much, but alongside the freelance work I’ve been getting, it’s manageable.
It’s also felt really validating to be offered freelance work again. I’m currently working on a wonderful and inspiring project alongside a client from Ghana, who’s putting together a book to celebrate 60 years of her former school. I love being involved in such moving projects.
When I look back seven months, I never thought I’d be where I am now. But I’ve been given this time to heal, which, admittedly, I’m still doing. And I’ve been able to focus on my creative endeavours more than ever: podcasting, this blog, review writing, planning another couple of novels.
No, none of it is paid work (yet), but these are things I’m passionate about; things I just didn’t have the time or energy for when I was burnt out from a full-time job under an ignorant little man who preferred to treat my differences as a burden rather than a strength.
I’m learning to focus less on the ‘what ifs’ and just take each day as it comes. I have emotional support from my wonderful partner, who’s my biggest cheerleader and best friend. And I have a whole bunch of other cheerleaders in the form of friends and family, who do celebrate my differences and all of my achievements, no matter how small.
Because I’m achieving every day—just getting out of bed and doing some writing or going to the gym or college or even taking a shower when all I want to do is lie on the sofa because I feel paralysed is an achievement.
And even though my life doesn’t look like I thought it would seven months ago, I’m proud of where I am now. For the first time in a long time, I’m not just surviving—I’m actually living.
If you’d like to support the work that me and the other wonderful ladies at Heatons Cats do to ensure abandoned and mistreated cats get a better life, please consider donating. Even a small amount helps cover vet bills, medication and food so these cats can live happy, healthy lives: Donate here