I didn’t know it at the time, but eight months had flown by and I’d done the square root of fuck all.
My days still revolved around getting up at 6 a.m., making a quick coffee, and racing out the door to catch the M1 bus to my catering job.
For a while — honestly, 2–3 years — I’d wanted out.
My mental health was taking a hit. I’d spend my lunch breaks mindlessly scrolling social media, just searching for an escape from work.
But the clock never slowed down. Lunch was over before I even blinked, then it was back to washing dishes and forcing a smile for customers who seemed to treat you differently the second you put a uniform on.
See, I had this idea in my head that by the end of that year, my life would finally change — that I’d be out of this job and doing something I actually cared about.
Helping people with their health, running a business online, living life on my own terms.
It meant freedom. Waking up when I wanted. Travelling. No more racing through the rain half‑awake before sunrise.
But here’s what actually happened: I didn’t pull the trigger.
I didn’t look for help.
I didn’t find mentors.
I didn’t take the damn leap.
I just kept imagining it — over and over again — like some fantasy playing in my head.
The problem with that? Nothing changes if nothing changes.
So it wasn’t a surprise that when December rolled around, I was still in that same job, doing the same routine, wondering where the hell the year went.
Call it fate, an epiphany, an awakening — or just hitting breaking point — but I finally used that cliché “New Year, New Me” as the excuse I desperately needed to start.
And long story short, that became an online business that let me hand in my notice and walk away for good.
Freedom, finally.
But this story isn’t really about how I escaped my job…
It’s about why it took me so damn long.
Perfectionism — The Silent Progress Killer
See, perfectionism is sneaky. It pretends to be high standards or having discipline. But if you dig deeper, it’s just fear — fear of failing, fear of judgment, fear of not being “ready.”
I spent months chasing that perfect starting point. I told myself I needed more money, more experience, another qualification, better timing.
Basically, I wanted all the stars to align before I made a move.
But that perfect moment?
It never came.
Perfectionism wasn’t helping me prepare — it was helping me procrastinate.
Eight months disappeared in the name of “waiting until I was ready.”
How to Break Free from Perfectionism
If you’re sitting in a job you hate, knowing deep down you’re meant for more but just spinning your wheels waiting for “the right time” — this part’s for you.
Here are three simple ways to kill perfectionism before it kills your progress.
Take Imperfect Action
Most people wait for clarity before taking action. But the truth? Clarity comes from action.
Every move you make — even the small, messy ones — gives you feedback and builds momentum.
If you’re thinking about starting a lifestyle business, imperfect action could look like:
- Writing down three business ideas.
- Noticing what people already come to you for advice on.
- Sketching out a rough offer that helps someone solve a problem.
That’s it. You don’t need a website, a logo, or a full plan. You just need to start doing.
Because action — even uncertain action — creates movement. And movement beats mental gymnastics every time.
Accept That There’s Never Going to Be a Perfect Time
Life never pauses to give you a window of calm to go chase your dreams. There’s always something — bills, work, kids, stress, time.
Waiting for “when things settle down” is just another way of saying “I’m scared.”
Even on the sunniest day, you can still burn yourself at the barbecue. Things go wrong even when everything feels right. So stop waiting for the perfect season.
Start now, where you are, with what you’ve got.
Progress > Perfection
You don’t need to be perfect to make progress — you just need to move. Progress stacks, perfection stalls.
Shift the goal from flawless execution to daily improvement.
Because trying and failing moves you forward. Planning and hesitating keeps you stuck.
Every “failure” gives you data, every attempt gives you insight, and before you know it, you’re further ahead than the version of you who was waiting for everything to be “ready.”
The Bottom Line
If nothing changes, nothing changes.
That was my biggest lesson. My life didn’t magically transform because I found the right opportunity or read the perfect book. It changed because I finally acted — scared, uncertain, unprepared.
Perfectionism kills progress long before failure ever will.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to start, this is it.
Stop preparing to change your life.
Start living it.
Employed to unemployable -The Life Of a Freedom Based 'Business'. 
Leave a comment