This year has been one of the most unimaginable obstacles we’ve seen in recent years. But once you tap into your talents and creative force, significant problems can seem like minor inconveniences.
As this year rounds off, people usually begin to reflect on the year and what they either accomplished or survived through. For most people in the world, we’re looking over our shoulder with the feeling that we’ve survived a very hell-bound year.
In fact, this time last year, I was working at a dead-end corporate job with no sense of direction. I’m used to providing value as a worker, and this wasn’t my first office job. However, this particular job was by far the worst one. People didn’t even talk to each other; they didn’t even look at one another. There was a small office clique that made the others feel like outsiders. For me, though, I was more frustrated and annoyed at my situation than feeling like an outsider.
The silver lining of it all is that this specific job forced me to see that it was time I moved further away from the corporate world.
Suffice it to say, that’s when I started preparing to look for remote and freelance Copywriter, e-Commerce, PPC Specialist, and Content Writing jobs. I wasn’t worried about the money factor since I knew already going in that I would be doing it for the inherent love I have for writing in general.
I’m happy to announce that I’ll have “made it” on freelance pay for over nine months now. Of course, it’s not perfect, but I already expected that before starting this journey. Above all else, I will say copywriting is extremely satisfying since you can measure ROI and conversion rates of your work better than in most other jobs. More than anything, it’s helped me redirect my life in a way I never thought possible.
I’ll be finishing my bachelor’s degree in business and marketing by the beginning of 2023 (it could have been the end of 2022, but I’ve added marketing). But most importantly, I’ve gained my sense of self-worth and confidence back (a bit cocky, I know)!
Also, I’ve already downsized my once “extravagant” lifestyle. I live in an incredible townhome with my older brother, and that’s all I really need. We have a great living space, and each of our rooms is very simple yet efficient. Even our bathrooms are nicely decorated (my older brother has a very creative eye for detail).
I’ll also be returning my leased vehicle at the end of its lease terms early next year. I’m so excited to turn that puppy in because total costs (including insurance, gas, and upkeep) are about $500 a month. Fortunately, that will be $500 I can pocket and pay off any debts I still owe. Ideally, I’d love to save that money. Still, I admittedly took on some debt during the beginning of my freelance journey. However, my situation is now more stable since I have multiple contracts and can get close to what I once made at that corporate job.
At any rate, as I round off my own 2021 this chilly December, I am reminded of just how fortunate and blessed I am to have my parents and older brother. No amount of money can replace family, especially family that goes through the ups and downs together as a united front. For me, 2022 will be an extension of ’21 in many ways. The one good factor is that I’ll be way more prepared in 2022.
I hope you are also fortunate to be prepared for next year. Though we have yet to go through the worst of it, we must find strength in ourselves and in our beliefs. Though even I know it will be a rocky year in 2022 for almost all of us, we’re still alive – and I believe that’s what counts in all of this chaos and mayhem.
Forever in Your Debt,
Leon R.M. Auguste
(Photo credit: click here to view).
Leon R.M. Auguste 