How to navigate the peaks and troughs of self-employed life with Wild Coworking

As self-employed people we know only too well how life can be a rollercoaster of sometimes, severe ups and downs. But by tracking those peaks and troughs, we can take control back and ride the wave instead of simply weathering the storm.

I’m Jess and I’m the Founder of Wild Coworking - a hybrid (we primarily meet online but also have some in-person events) community of self-employed women and non-binary people. I’m also a painter and a full time assistant to a small white dog called Rodi.

After running Wild for seven years I can tell you quarter by quarter the opportunities and challenges you’re likely to face throughout the year.

The seasons also come into play and on a more granular level, if you’re someone with a hormonal cycle, that can certainly affect how you navigate life and business too.

Here are the patterns that I’ve tracked and my advice for how to take back control, becoming more proactive and adapting the way you work so you’re not fighting against the inevitable.

At Wild each quarter has a theme and so I’d love to share those with you too:

Quarter one.

Wild theme: Prepare to Emerge

Quarter one is not the time for pressure or any of the New Year New Me BS, just straightforward planning, focused on YOUR goals. This is the time for reconnection, with yourself, colleagues, your business objectives and long term strategy. Energy is generally low and the days are short, so making sure you’re getting outside during the day for some sunlight will change the game. Nobody is in a rush but this is a great opportunity to do some BTS work on not in your business.

How I prepare to emerge: I enjoy the winter until it gets to the end of January. I begin to feel like I’m walking through treacle and that Spring may never arrive! So I revisit my strategy and look ahead to brighter times. I also light candles in the evening and I start work when the sun comes up and try to stop when it sets. Getting out into the daylight with the dog as regularly as I can is super important for my mental health surviving the darker months.

Quarter two.

Wild theme: Rejuvenation

We’re in full bloom and it’s time to get creative. There’s more sunlight, there’s growth all around us, we’re free of the winter and ready to shine. At Wild we focus on creative events, finally launching that thing and bringing everything to life, including ourselves. We have more energy so there are more in-person meet-ups too. Don’t over do it though! Be sure to regularly ask your body what it needs.

How I rejuvenate myself: I love to garden! And I love the metaphor of pruning and planting for longterm gain, it teaches me patience and reminds me that the blooms do return after a long winter. I also paint a lot more. My studio is warming up and I can bear to spend longer than a couple of hours in there - it gets so cold!

Quarter three.

Wild theme: Optimistic but Realistic

I’ve noticed that quarter three always makes life feel expansive. Like we’ve got all the time in the world to get stuff done, but realistically summer soaks up spare time… as it should. Especially for those who have children to care for over the summer holidays.

We affectionately call it ‘The Shit Show’. We focus on bite sized workshops and chances to develop your business on the go.

So the theme at Wild is fun, with space for realistic planning and a back to school vibe once September comes around. Easy breezy, no pressure, just fluidity.

How I make the most of the expansive summer: I try not to cram too much into the summer. I often fail at this though. As it’s a quieter time for me because I don’t have children, I tend to fill it with work. But I’m determined not to do that this year and fully immerse myself in this theme for the quarter.

Quarter four.

Wild theme: Celebration and hibernation

The clocks go back, it surprises us every year. But at Wild we’ve got each other and can lean into the darkness without losing our minds (this is so important!). We host events, workshops and clinics that help you plan effectively for the last three months so you don’t slip into panic mode once December comes around.

I’ve also found that it’s crucial to celebrate yourself before the festive season that is so often focused on others. You’ve worked hard all year and if you’ve forgotten to give yourself the recognition you deserve, then Wild will be there to remind you (and big you up).

How I celebrate and prepare for hibernation: I am an Autumn girl through and through. The smell of bonfires on the crispy breeze and the leaves changing colours makes me so happy. So I lean into it and be sure to review my year, treating myself to a spa day to celebrate my hard work throughout the year. I also take a month off at Christmas so I can recharge ahead of the New Year.

So there you have it, a year of peaks and troughs that don’t necessarily have to be a total challenge if we get to know ourselves and what works best for us.

Ride the waves with us here: wildcoworking.com/join