Lessons from three years in a 9-5 (and why I'm back to freelancing)

“I’m going to formally close my business,” I told my husband one evening, about 12 months into my full-time role at a tech company.

“This salaried life… it’s just so good! I even get paid when I’m on annual leave!”

Any business owner will know the appeal of a steady paycheck, predictable hours, and paid leave. After years of self-employment, the freedom from the constant hustle felt like a dream, even in a fast-paced startup environment.

I started winding down Made of Words — cancelling my Xero subscription, deleting social media accounts, and changing my website into a personal blog. But something held me back from fully letting go of the brand I’d spent seven years building.

And thank goodness for that hesitation, because oh, how times change. 

The call to create again 

At first, stepping away from my business felt like a sensible fresh start. Less stress, more stability. But as my role evolved, I was spending less and less time on the work I actually enjoyed. My career was drifting further from the craft I’d spent years honing — writing.

On paper, I was thriving. I was promoted twice in three years and exposed to new skills, problems, and opportunities. But when managers asked me questions like, “What’s your dream role?” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I was at a loss. 

My dream has always been to write. Whether for myself or a brand, writing is still what I love most. I felt like I’d already hit the career jackpot and the more I pursued growth, the further I seemed to get from the craft I loved.

Growing sideways

About two-and-a-half years into my 9-5 journey, I started hearing consistent soul whispers nudging me to give freelance copywriting another shot. I resisted at first. My ego protested, “It’ll feel like going backward!”, and fear chimed in: “You’ll never be able to provide for your family as a writer again, especially with AI so accessible now.” But the whispers soon turned into shouts, and I knew I had to make a change. 

I reached out to a business strategist, Michelle Broadbent, for advice. She helped ease many of my fears and encouraged me to dip my toes back into self-employment. “You’re just a bit out of practice,” she reassured me. “It’s like riding a bike — you’ll remember how to do it once you get back into the swing of things.” I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea. Michelle’s words gave me the confidence I needed to put self-employment back on the table.

I started laying the groundwork behind the scenes, slowly preparing to take the leap. And then fate intervened: my role was disestablished. I felt shocked at first, then relieved. I could now pursue freelancing without the awkwardness of resigning or wondering “what if?”. 

And Michelle was right. As soon as I started working on my business again, everything I’d learned from seven years of freelancing came rushing back. I was back on my bike. 

My biggest takeaways from working in-house 

I’m so grateful for my time at the tech company. I learned bucketloads, grew so much as a person, and met so many amazing people who I’m lucky to still call friends. It was a period of immense growth, both professionally and personally.

Here are the lessons I’ll carry forward as I step back into freelancing. 

The power of a great team

It’s a cliché for a reason. One of the best parts of working in-house was being surrounded by smart, talented people every day. My colleagues pushed me to think bigger and sharpen my skills in ways I couldn’t have on my own. As an introvert who spent seven years working solo before joining a team, the transition was tricky at times. But now, it’s one of the things I miss the most. I’m making a conscious effort to say yes to networking opportunities, meet people for coffee, and reach out for help when I need it. 

We’re all learning as we go 

As a freelancer, I was intimidated by anyone who seemed to have a ‘proper career’. I often felt like a fraud, sitting at home in activewear, wrestling with words on a page. When I moved in-house, it felt like I’d joined the grown-ups! But the reality is, no one has it all figured out, no matter how smart, ambitious, or educated they are. Everyone is just tackling the next problem as it comes. Even the most experienced people are constantly learning, adapting, and making the best decisions they can with the information they have.

This perspective has been freeing. Instead of waiting to feel “ready”, I’m now more comfortable embracing uncertainty and trusting that I’ll figure it out as I go. 

Things always take longer than you think

I used to get frustrated when clients sent me briefs months after they’d initially planned to collaborate on a content project. But after my time in-house, I’ve gained a whole new perspective. Things really do take time! When you’re part of a larger team, there are so many moving parts and different work streams to align. There were plenty of times when I, too, took longer than anticipated to brief contractors and had to swallow a big ol’ piece of humble pie. 

I’ve come to appreciate that timelines are fluid, the process is often slower than everyone would like. Now, I genuinely enjoy being flexible and adaptable. It feels so much more human to embrace the ebb and flow of work and trust the creative process. There’s a kind of grace in allowing things to be a little messy — it’s all part of making something great. 

Embrace your strengths

I’ve always prided myself on being a bit of a generalist — someone who can juggle various projects, learn on the fly, and adapt as needed. But in a team environment, I quickly realised this approach can sometimes be a hindrance. Every time I volunteered to help with something outside my area of expertise, I risked compromising my own work. One piece of feedback I repeatedly received, which initially baffled me, was “stop trying to help everyone”. I’m not sure if it’s an oldest daughter thing, or a hangover from being a freelancer for so long and feeling the need to be across everything, but I definitely struggled with this!

I now know that what really matters is playing to your strengths and trusting others to do the same. I’m taking this lesson with me into my freelance business. It’s perfectly fine if I’m not a billboard copywriter. I can focus on what I do best (content marketing and thought leadership) and leave the rest to someone else!

The only certainty is change

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve agonised over a decision, made a call, and then thought: “This is it. This is how it’s going to be from now on.” That’s exactly how I felt when I first moved into a full-time role! But things change, situations evolve, and there’s no predicting what opportunities and challenges might be just around the corner. All we can do is make the best call with the information we have. 

I feel extraordinarily lucky that the vocation I love most — writing — also helps me process change, reflect on the world around me, connect with others, and make a living. What a privilege!! I’m so happy to be back doing this work. Thank you for reading along and I hope these personal reflections help you in some way, whether you’re doing your own thing or thriving in a 9-5. And if you’re looking for a freelance copywriter to support your work, then you know where to find me! I’d love to chat over a cuppa (virtual or IRL) and learn more about the work that you love the most.