As I was drafting the piece where I share a glimpse into a couple of years of my life as a multi-passionate individual, I had a thought. It was about how it was possible for me to survive and thrive without full-time employment at different points. Because, how was I coping in general, right? And in this Lagos!
Of course, when I chose to define how I want to show up in professional capacities and spaces, bills and other necessities didn’t go, “Well done, baby girl. We’ll just not exist for now until you figure everything out, okay?”. Pfft… I fucking wish. I still have to ensure that I don’t go hungry or homeless. At least, if not in the immediate moment, in the future.
Well, I wasn’t sure when I was going to write about how I managed. However, seeing as a couple of lovely people wanted to know how I did it during those periods and even now, I got to writing.
While you can glean the gist from the afore-linked article, I can see how spelling out the contributing factors might help. Those of us multi-passionate/multi-talented individuals either find ourselves in a similar situation or simply wonder about the practicalities, as we should.
So, how do I #SurviveAndThrive? – A pertinent preface
First and foremost, I only partially relied on any job.
Do not get me wrong for even a second, I survived on salaries and wages for the most part in my professional life. But, one, my default programming is to not rely completely on people and things. I heard the word “hyper-independence” recently. I’ve not exactly looked into it but judging from the sound, a facet might apply to me. Another story, maybe.
Two, my earnings were not all coming from one place. Indeed nothing topped the steady income from full-time employment. Yet, it was usually never enough to live on, so I usually needed to pop to the ‘side’ to make extra money.
Rather importantly though, I think coming from an earning background where income wasn’t stable was crucial. I had to wait in between things happening and plan to be able to get by when they were not, so I never got too comfortable or complacent in the idea of a salary as an employee.
Again – and I feel the need to stress – monthly income is NICE. I’m not mad at it at all. In short, monthly is even too long. Weekly, daily, or hourly payments are the wants. I mean, I’m sure a lot of us would do one or two ‘bad things’ for these sorts of arrangements. Just not with the work they come with. At least, this is true in my case.
Having said this, savings from jobs/gigs, support from loved ones, business earnings, and a fair amount of self-auditing and editing are the things that have been my shock absorbers and continue to be as I survive and thrive as an independent professional.
Here’s how they each play their role.
Miss Thia Always Has A Bag… Usually.
Besides the long unemployment stint in 2020 – which I mean, even though they had zero rights to, billionaires were also complaining – there was always something to do, no matter how small. And, oh my goodness, there were small ones. Yet, #AlwaysGratefulForTheLittleThings, am I right?
In 2019, I quit in April and was unemployed for a few months before I started working on some projects that helped me with the day-to-day. But then, of course, I had a bit set aside to help me get through this time and also had one or two small gigs that period that supplemented.
By the end of 2020, I had started my lodgings business and I also worked on a number of projects that provided a cushion for me. Also in 2021. Last quarter of 2021, I was back to full-time employment (yeah, I know), but I quit in April of 2022 with a renewed vigour to stop entertaining the idea of full-time employment once and for all.
Been on my business and freelance work as a Content and Marketing Specialist since then. #LifesGood
Adulting is self-auditing, self-editing, discipline, and planning ahead
Kinda, sorta always having something to do or even look forward to helped to cover my most basic needs. My wants, on the other hand, did of course take hits here and there. And so, I [reluctantly] leaned harder into adulting and got really good at self-editing, sacrificing, and planning ahead.
In case you didn’t know, it is my belief that I belong on a permanent holiday. So, I live this up through trips, hangouts, and other acts of leisure and forms of indulgence. And while I try to operate on this frequency in everyday life, we can agree that they come at costs.
For instance, travelling is never ‘cheap’. Budget-friendly is more apt. Also, eating out and going for drinks frequently puts a dent in your pocket. Transportation? You know it. Even breathing can be costly on some days. In terms of indulgence, I worked to improve my discipline in terms of needs and wants and budget accordingly, and my priority list is the ish if I do say so myself!
So, of course, it wasn’t easy to plan elaborate trips, but I made do with what I could during that period; visiting neighbouring countries for instance. Then, for the other parts, I stay in my house more than I leave it. You know how they say there’s rice at home? Yes, there really is. Also drinks.
I love my loved ones and they love me
This part is just beautiful and always brings a smile to my face. The power and joy that lies within having people come through for you in plenty of ways are simply divine. And literally every day (and I mean “literally” literally, not in the colloquial sense) I am thankful.
Look, there were days!! Days I actually did want to go out, but I quickly remember the myriad of responsibilities waiting to be fulfilled or simply realise I can’t afford to. But, instead of crying, I reach out to friends to take me out and they do. Gorgeous stuff. Or I’m craving something to eat, drink, or do and they just come through. Or my family randomly sends food and gifts my way from time to time.
Please, it’s a lot to write. I love it.
As someone who encourages individualism in the sense that you are empowered by and confident in who you are, I also know that community can never be overrated.
You may be able to do without it, and you may not need it to survive or thrive, but I don’t imagine anyone thinking that a support system provided by a loving community can be overrated. That person can never be me though.
Just be intentional about who/what makes it up and find the right balance between individualism and community that works for you, and you will both survive and thrive!
Because, besides the days where I literally get to not spend a dime and still have a good time, having a group to share activities with just bangs. You get to split bills for transportation, activities, trips, and so forth, thus making it much more affordable on your end.
Please… I love you guys. Thank you for loving me. #SexyAndWealthyGang
My lodgings business
In 2020, I started a lodgings business from my apartment. I had to renew my rent that year in any case. Initially, my plan was to go abroad for a little while for a change of scene and pace. However, since I wasn’t planning to relocate, I still had to retain an apartment here.
But, since it was neither practical nor cheap to have two apartments, I decided I was going to sub-let my apartment here for the months I would not be around. Then, the pandemic hit, and nobody was going anywhere.
I still had to move to a new place, although I was not looking to share while I was in it, so I shelved the sub-let plan for if my plans ever panned out.
One day, while I was putting together a mood board for my new apartment, a bestie suggested that I consider the idea of sharing it for income and invest in the idea of renting as a full-fledged business. It made sense. We got excited and I got to it. It wasn’t a breeze, but it is still going well.
That’s it. This is how I navigate life as someone who does not wish to subscribe to full-time employment and still has to survive and thrive.
How I survive and thrive – TL;DR
- I was usually with a job or part-time freelance gigs which helped me not only take care of immediate needs but save ahead to get by in times when there were none.
- Leaning into the part of adulting that requires self-auditing, self-editing, discipline, and planning ahead helped to identify and separate my needs from my wants and build scales of preference and budgets to prioritise accordingly.
- Having a community that loves you enough to provide you with a support system helps immensely. Also, carrying out group activities allows you to indulge without breaking your back.
- My lodgings business has been a saving grace as well.
As usual, it would be great to hear your thoughts in the comments. Feel free to share any other ways you think that a multi-passionate individual who is unemployed from time to time can navigate life comfortably.
Signing off hoping you know you too can survive and thrive.
