I’ve been a sole proprietor since 2021. As a 28-year-old woman working from a regional city, I often face a contradiction: many people assume "you must always do whatever you want" or "lucky you, you get to set your own schedule." But the reality is far more nuanced.
This path isn’t the easiest, but it’s the one I can walk
When I decided to stand on my own feet as a journalist, I didn’t pick the simplest route—I chose the most realistic one for me. Living in a regional city and passionate about topics like healthy living, travel, personal growth, and social awareness, it was clear that independence would give me space to explore these themes.
I didn’t become an entrepreneur because I had tons of free time or because the idea of "setting my own hours" sounded dreamy. It was because this was the way I could focus on what I truly believe in.
Freedom comes with a price
From the outside, being an entrepreneur might look like freedom—and partly it is. Sometimes we can take a weekday afternoon hike in a nearby forest or handle errands more flexibly during the day. But there’s a cost.
That Tuesday afternoon break often means working all day Saturday. Or spending part of a vacation with a laptop in hand. Entrepreneurial freedom isn’t guaranteed—you have to earn it over and over every month.
The “invisible” work—just because I’m home doesn’t mean I’m not working
One of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship for me isn’t the workload, but how others perceive it. I’ve heard "you’re just writing" or "that’s not real work." As if not going to an office means not working.
The truth is, I often sit in front of my laptop from early morning until late at night—writing, editing, coordinating, and also managing my own accounting, admin, and marketing. It’s a complex, ongoing self-management lifestyle—not less work, just different.
No steady paycheck, just a fluctuating reality
If you’ve ever worked a job with reliable paychecks, you know how comforting a fixed monthly salary can be. As an entrepreneur, that security isn’t guaranteed. Some months are better, others tougher. I’ve had to learn to plan, save, and think ahead.
The “no’s” hidden among the “yes’s”
Being self-employed often feels like a “grey zone.” Even though I qualified for certain support because of my age, my entrepreneurial status sometimes meant missing out on extra income that would have helped a lot. At times, it felt like I was being penalized for not choosing the “traditional path.”
It’s hard not to doubt yourself in moments like that. But in the end, I always come back to this: I’d rather take a tougher path that feels authentic than an easier one that isn’t mine.
The balance I work on every single day
My biggest challenge is finding balance—learning where work ends and personal life begins. Making time for family, exercise, recharging, and not just living through other people’s stories but my own.
Even though I regularly write about healthy living and often know what’s best, I’ve also pushed myself too hard more times than I’d like. That’s why I feel even more driven to inspire others to care for both their bodies and minds. I know it’s tough, but it’s always worth it to take care of ourselves.
It’s not all black and white
Being an entrepreneur isn’t inherently “better” or “worse” than being an employee. It’s just different—with its own challenges, opportunities, countless decisions, and lots of learning.
I believe we should respect each other’s honest work, even if we don’t fully understand it or would do things differently. And I believe the world isn’t meant to be seen in black-and-white—because the most important things hide in the details.
I chose my own path—and I don’t regret it
Maybe others wouldn’t choose this. Maybe I won’t do it this way forever. But right now, in this moment, this path is mine. It’s not always easy or predictable—but it teaches me, shapes me, and reminds me daily what it truly means to take responsibility for my own life.
