I walk a fine line between managing a "microbusiness" and going on disability. So far, keeping a small and simple consulting firm afloat has been a hard but necessary move. It keeps my purpose alive, brings in more money than disability would, gets my perspective out of my own narrow world, provides access to subsidized health insurance (through the marketplace), and allows me to save for retirement.
I think a lot of new sick people realize they need to quit their full time jobs and panic, because it feels like there's no grey zone between full time work (or unsurvivable part-time situations) and going on disability. There is, and in many cases, it's worth a shot.
I'm writing about microbusiness on my Stack, and hope to at some point put together some sort of resource on how to launch a low-lift microbusiness while ill.
I had to close my virtual assistant business because of my chronic illnesses. I couldn’t give my clients what they were paying for. It was the 2nd hardest decision I’ve had to make. The 1st one was to stop driving.
Both of those decisions are so hard, and we're frustrated on your behalf that you even had to make them in the first place. (We have a lot of chronic migraine rep in this crew, by the way!) Have you been able to find something that's somewhat fulfilling for you to do for work?
Freelance writing is admittedly hard to break into you, but once you start accumulating the clips (Substack is a wonderful place to start!), the momentum will hopefully follow. We are cheering you on!
Hearing from people who had chronic illness derail their 20s and are still able to do what they love in some capacity is so encouraging. It makes it a little easier for me to let myself be hopeful/excited about the future.
So glad we could pass along that hope (even if just a little bit!). In my 20s, I would’ve loved to have heard the same — it might have curbed my grief a bit… because I honestly did feel like my world imploded and I’d never be able to put it back together. Sending you so much love and support! Thanks for being here. — Kat
I changed careers in my late 40s. I went back to school. I took lower paying jobs in my new field to pay my dues. I landed my dream job a year before I got sick. Having to leave it was a wrench and I grieved it for a long time. I’d still be there if I had my way.
It’s so hard, isn’t it? I think it furthers my anger when comments are made about how “inconsistent” or “flaky” disabled folks can be at work — like, no, we have fought to just get to this point! I wish it wouldn’t have played out like that for you. 💕
I walk a fine line between managing a "microbusiness" and going on disability. So far, keeping a small and simple consulting firm afloat has been a hard but necessary move. It keeps my purpose alive, brings in more money than disability would, gets my perspective out of my own narrow world, provides access to subsidized health insurance (through the marketplace), and allows me to save for retirement.
I think a lot of new sick people realize they need to quit their full time jobs and panic, because it feels like there's no grey zone between full time work (or unsurvivable part-time situations) and going on disability. There is, and in many cases, it's worth a shot.
I'm writing about microbusiness on my Stack, and hope to at some point put together some sort of resource on how to launch a low-lift microbusiness while ill.
I had to close my virtual assistant business because of my chronic illnesses. I couldn’t give my clients what they were paying for. It was the 2nd hardest decision I’ve had to make. The 1st one was to stop driving.
Both of those decisions are so hard, and we're frustrated on your behalf that you even had to make them in the first place. (We have a lot of chronic migraine rep in this crew, by the way!) Have you been able to find something that's somewhat fulfilling for you to do for work?
I’m trying to make writing my career but it is slow going.
Freelance writing is admittedly hard to break into you, but once you start accumulating the clips (Substack is a wonderful place to start!), the momentum will hopefully follow. We are cheering you on!
I just checked out the website you shared in your post. I had no idea a site like that existed!
Hearing from people who had chronic illness derail their 20s and are still able to do what they love in some capacity is so encouraging. It makes it a little easier for me to let myself be hopeful/excited about the future.
So glad we could pass along that hope (even if just a little bit!). In my 20s, I would’ve loved to have heard the same — it might have curbed my grief a bit… because I honestly did feel like my world imploded and I’d never be able to put it back together. Sending you so much love and support! Thanks for being here. — Kat
I changed careers in my late 40s. I went back to school. I took lower paying jobs in my new field to pay my dues. I landed my dream job a year before I got sick. Having to leave it was a wrench and I grieved it for a long time. I’d still be there if I had my way.
It’s so hard, isn’t it? I think it furthers my anger when comments are made about how “inconsistent” or “flaky” disabled folks can be at work — like, no, we have fought to just get to this point! I wish it wouldn’t have played out like that for you. 💕