a dreamy business after all?

I spent the morning figuring out if starting my own business was actually a good decision.

Yesterday, I found a list I made shortly after being laid off, notes about what I wanted work to look like, and decided to check in with myself.

I wrote it when I was feeling pretty low. My plans had just crashed, and I was dreading the idea of applying for something new just to maybe get laid off again. Plus, the winter-y depression was creeping in, which really helped (sarcasm off).

Here’s what was on the list:

• no more Sunday scaries. Flexibility in where and when I work.

• a supportive, inspiring community, without the office small talk.

• meaningful work aligned with my values (not just OKRs and KPIs).

• the chance to keep learning and growing through courses and workshops.

• financial sustainability, aka enough to save and invest more than I spend.

So far, I can check off 4 out of 5.

The saving part is still a work in progress. But covering my bills is more than I imagined a year and a bit into working for myself.

I don’t take any of this for granted. I remember writing that list and feeling like I was making up dreamy scenarios that could never reflect an actual job.

Then I found myself in a café in Bali, drafting a business plan based on what I’m good at and what I care about.

I treated the whole thing more like an experiment than a plan. But somehow, it started to click.

Not sure this helps anyone, but if you’re in a work mess and feeling lost, things can feel okay again. Maybe even better than before.

So, was starting my own business a good decision? It’s not all rainbows and ponies, but yes, very much yes.

about the author:

Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.