As regular Write Change Grow readers will know, I left my corporate job in February 2011.
Since then I’ve gone back to work full-time for an employer several times. I’ve discovered that leaving your cubicle and staying out of the cubicle are two different things!
At the moment, I’m back working for myself from home and working hard to keep it that way.
Needless to say, leaving corporate life is a common yearning.
For two earlier posts, both on this similar theme (though slightly more focused on the travel/location independent aspect) read:
6 Websites for Working and Travelling Outside the Box
More Blogs to Get You Out of Your Cubicle
Today, I want to highlight some of the great bloggers that have broken away from their conventional careers and are teaching people how to do the same as well as those that are still working towards the goal of leaving their corporate jobs. While some encourage you to take the next step of leaving your job and starting your own business, others help you be happier with the job you already have.
Have a look for yourself. Be inspired to walk down your own road, whatever that may be.
I have included a few Start Here and About pages to give you a good feel for the tone and contents of the blogs as well as pages I think you will find interesting and helpful.
As the Internet is an ever-changing beast, this post needs a content update as some blogs no longer exist or have changed into something else. Stay tuned…updates coming shortly!
Escaping the 9 to 5
Maren Kate is running her own business and documents what she has learned on her blog.
Read Write Evolve – I couldn’t resist this one being so close to my own way of thinking.
21 Reasons to Work for Yourself
Escaping the 9 to 5 – About page
Puttylike
Emilie from Puttylike is a multipotential (often called a scanner).
She is interested in a lot of different things and is using it to her advantage. Emilie doesn’t believe in sticking to one career path.
Everyone’s got many interests – how are we not all scanners?
Puttylike – Start Here
The Middle Finger Project
I have talked about Ashley Ambirge from The Middle Finger Project a lot already on this blog.
I’m a huge fan of her work.
Ashley is truly inspiring. She is gutsy, crazy in a wonderful way and totally motivated. Ash tells it like it is. Her blog is not for the timid. If you don’t like swearing then it’s probably not the read for you.
The Surefire Way to Save Yourself from Mediocrity
The Middle Finger New Here Page
Prolific Living
Farnoosh Brook is one of my favorite bloggers. Her site Prolific Living is based on smart habits for rich living. She is inspiring. motivating and down to earth.
Farnoosh left her corporate job in 2011 and is now pursuing her passion for helping others.
From Corporate to Entrepreneurship
From Fear to Motivation in 22 Radical Thoughts
The 3 Secrets to Staying Motivated in a Corporate Job
The Boomerang Kid
Lindsay Hunt is a fairly recent find via Twitter. Having a closer look at her blog has me knowing that I will become a regular reader.
Lindsay’s tagline says it all – Escaping the doldrums of corporate life
Lindsay’s About page
Lindsay’s Start Here page
The Corporate Detox relearning how to be productive
I will definitely be coming back to read the rest of this Corporate Detox series. After nearly 30 years (that’s a scary figure) working for corporate, I am well overdue for a detox, particularly when it comes to getting in the mindset of being my own boss. The leap from employer to working for yourself is one I definitely need to get my head around.
Cordelia Calls It Quits
Cordelia (aka Kelly Gurnett) is in a 9 to 5 job but is working on making her escape. By quitting, she means to stop living on autopilot and accepting the normal status quo.
About Cordelia
Cordelia’s Quit Lists – to see what she has been working on
17000 Days
I have seen Cara Stein a bit around the Internet but only just had a good look at her blog. I definitely like what I see. Cara’s message is to the point, life is short – make the most of it right this second.
Big dreams and scary leaps – How I Quit My Job
Ending the Grind
Steve is currently still working for as an employer.
Steve recently conducted an interview with Penelope Trunk, a successful yet feisty businessperson. Penelope’s reactions to Steve’s questions, didn’t go quite to plan. Penelope’s responses made Steve think about his actual goal and left him doing some serious reassessing of his life. To be honest, it was a wake up call to a lot of bloggers other than Steve.
Penelope Truck Calls Bullshit
Falling Down
Prior to his interview with Penelope, Steve was focused on how much he hated his job and how to leave his job by starting an online business. As it often happens when we hate our jobs, Steve has realised he can’t blame his job for some of the other areas of his life that are less than stellar.
I have no doubt a lot of people are going through a similar internal crisis to the one Steve is facing.
It’s not always easy breaking away from corporate life but it is always worth it. Forge your own path, whatever that means for you.
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I’m so touched to be included in this post! I agree that these are some fantastic bloggers, and I’m honored to be listed with them. I follow many of them myself, religiously, and will be sure to check the rest out.
Congrats to you for “achieving the dream” and realizing your freedom. I’m slowly but surely on the path to join you (actually took a new step forward recent–post on that soon!) , and I’m always inspired by reading of others who have done it or are doing. Thank you again for mentioning me–you just totally made my evening. 🙂
Hi Kelly
Thank you so much for your comment. Great to see you here.
I can’t wait to hear what your next step forward is, sounds very exciting – looking forward to reading all about it 🙂 Actually I had better pop over to your blog and see if you have already posted your news.
I am so glad I made your evening. Always lovely to help someone feel happy and appreciated.
I look forward to chatting here again soon.
Cheers
Thea
Thea,
Thanks for including me on your list! I’m honored to be mentioned among others who are rebelling against the 9 to 5. Isn’t Twitter a great place to connect? It’s how I’ve met many like-minded people on my journey out of corporate life.
Congrats on escaping the cube–we can both detox together 😉
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay
Thank you for commenting, appreciate it.
Yes Twitter is a great place to connect. It’s a great way to find amazing people doing fabulous things.
I look forward to detoxing together!!!
Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you here again soon.
Cheers
Thea
Great post! If you guys are stuck in a cubicle like me, with some terrible decor and old technology- I just entered this contest that my sister sent me a link to, Pimp My Cube- the person who makes the funniest video about how terrible their cube is wins a $1200 office remodeling! Not too many entrants yet so odds are good. Google Pimp My Cube to check it out.
Happy New Year to my cube mates!
Hi
Thank you for commenting. Good luck with the competition, I hope you win and get a fantastic cubicle upgrade!
All the best
Cheers
Thea