The most formative experience of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, I found myself reflecting on the past year and how much I’ve grown. In particular, I reflected a lot about the most formative experience of 2024: my journey of self-employment. It all began with the decision to embrace autonomy and work for myself. This choice has shaped my year in profound ways, pushing me to balance my part-time work with the NHS, a role in a private practice, and my own entrepreneurial ventures. This journey has been one of discovery, resilience, and growth, and has offered me the opportunity to create, connect, and carve out a path that aligns with my values and aspirations.
A leap into the unknown
Starting my own ventures was a leap into the unknown, as I had to step away from the stability of a full-time income and confront the uncertainties of self-employment. However, this leap gave me the chance to reflect deeply on what I want to achieve in life and gain insights into running a business. For the first time, I experienced what it means to be compensated directly for my work. This wasn’t just financial - it was the satisfaction of seeing my efforts create a tangible impact. Thanks to this freedom and flexibility, this year I was able to launch my YouTube channel and start my tutoring business.
The decision to work for myself opened doors that I hadn’t imagined. These opportunities allowed me to explore my passions, develop new skills, and establish a presence in my field. Starting my YouTube channel was one of the most exciting steps I took this year. It allowed me to share my knowledge and build connections with a broader audience. This platform not only helped me grow professionally but also gave me a space to express myself authentically.
My tutoring business has been a rewarding endeavor, offering opportunities to support students while expanding my professional network. One highlight was the opportunity, brought from my statistics tutoring work, to publish an article in a journal. This milestone highlighted how even the smallest things can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Overcoming Challenges
While the journey has been rewarding, it hasn’t been without difficulties. Here are a few challenges I encountered along the way:
Balance: Juggling personal projects, self-employment, and my NHS job was a challenge. My NHS role and self-employment are my primary sources of income, which meant it often had to take precedence. Learning to prioritize without losing momentum on my side projects wasn’t easy.
Loneliness: Running my own ventures without external help was isolating at times. From decision-making to execution, I mainly had to juggle everything alone. It was a lonely process, but it taught me resilience and self-reliance.
Lack of Understanding: Explaining the complexities of this journey to others proved difficult. Few people truly understood what it entailed, especially because most of the people I know were on very different journeys. This made it harder to find advice or support tailored to my experiences.
Amid these challenges, I was fortunate to have a source of unwavering support: my boyfriend. While I couldn’t always explain the intricacies of my journey, his encouragement and presence were invaluable.
looking ahead
As I look to 2025, I am filled with hope and determination. The past year’s experiences have been the most informative of my life. They’ve shown me the value of autonomy and the importance of pursuing my passions. From growing my YouTube channel to expanding my tutoring business and continuing to build my career, I am excited to see where this path leads. This journey, for me, has been about more than professional growth - it has been about building a life that reflects who I am and what I stand for.
Lessons Learned
The greatest risks lead to the greatest opportunities. Don’t be afraid to step into the unknown - you never know where it might lead you.
Even the smallest project, such as starting to tutor people, could lead to the biggest opportunities - such as publishing an article. Take every chance you can, as it could develop into great opportunities.
To balance competing demands, you need clarity about what matters the most. Identify your priorities and allocate time and energy accordingly. Use tools or strategies to manage tasks to avoid burnout.
Surround yourself with people who uplift you and encourage you. Even if they don’t fully understand your journey, their support can be invaluable.