Once upon a time, I was a junk mail king.

I was responsible for dumping millions of fancy flyers into mailboxes that urged people to buy silver, gold, or platinum credit cards to show the world they were special people.

I left that well-paying career to be a freelance environmental journalist. I wanted to spend more time with my young family and be outside more often, rather than being stuck in an office and traffic for 12 hours a day.

Equally important, I wanted to write about things I believed people needed to know.

Everyone told me that it was impossible to make a living as a freelance writer. They were nearly right. But I felt there was no other path for me. My purpose was clear as a bright lighthouse on a dark night.

I made less than $1000 my first year. (In fact, I think it was less than $100.) My partner worked part-time, and I had negotiated a decent severance payment from my last employer. Finances were tight, but we were ok.

It took six to seven years of freelancing to achieve a consistent income—an income that was only a fraction of my previous corporate income. But I was thrilled with my new life, thrilled by the freedom, satisfaction, and joy I now experienced.

There were many difficult challenges. I needed support from my family, friends, and strangers, from donations to providing a bed for a tired foreign journalist they’d never met.

Experiencing that generosity is among the best things that came from my career change.

It’s been 30 years and thousands of articles. I’ve never regretted my decision to break free from the golden handcuffs of corporate life.

I’m sometimes asked for advice about this:

You will be happier and more fulfilled when you follow your passion. Be sure you know what it is.
There are many obstacles to overcome. This requires preparation, planning, and patience.
Reduce any debt. Eliminate debt if you can.
Ask for help.
Evaluate your progress. Analyze what’s going well and what’s not.
Adjust or change as needed.
Re-center—regularly revisit your overall purpose, your passion. Is it still what you NEED to do?

Hopefully, this helps anyone contemplating a change. I’m happy to answer any questions.

Until next time, be well.

Stephen

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Confession of a (former) Junk Mail King