When you get the ‘should I return to my 9-5?’ thought, read this…
Every freelancer, consultant, or business owner has had that moment. A rough week, a difficult client, a dry sales period – and suddenly, the thought creeps in: Wouldn’t it be easier to just go back to a stable 9-5?
If this thought has been on your mind, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. It’s completely normal to have moments of doubt when you’re navigating the unpredictable world of self-employment. This journey can be tough, and it’s okay to acknowledge that. The real question isn’t whether you should listen to this thought—it’s how you listen to it. Instead of judging yourself for having doubts, we can try to meet them with curiosity and self-compassion.
Not all doubts are bad. Some offer important insights, while others are of fear whispering in your ear, trying to keep you small. The key is to tell the difference without being hard on yourself for even wondering.
What’s really happening here?
When the “should I quit?” thought appears, the first step is to pause and check in with reality. It’s easy to mistake discomfort for danger, but uncertainty is part of the entrepreneurial journey. Instead of immediately reacting to the thought, give yourself the kindness of a moment to step back. Ask yourself whether this is a temporary rough patch or if there’s a deeper issue at play.
Consider whether you’re experiencing a passing frustration or if there’s a consistent problem that needs attention. Are you being too hard on yourself? Sometimes, our minds magnify struggles, making them feel bigger than they are. Think back to previous moments of doubt—how did you move past them before? Recognising these patterns can help you separate fleeting emotions from real concerns while reminding yourself that you’ve navigated uncertainty before.
Looking at the data, not only the emotion
When emotions run high, they can distort your perception of reality. That’s why it’s important to ground yourself in facts instead of being swept away by feelings of frustration or fear.
Gently take a step back and review your progress. Have your earnings been growing, even if slowly? Have clients expressed gratitude for your work? Have you been here before, only to find that things improved with time? The brain naturally zooms in on what’s not working, but looking at the bigger picture can help you see just how far you’ve come. Be kind to yourself in this process—success isn’t linear, and every step forward counts, even the small ones.
Managing the road ahead – what needs tweaking?
If challenges keep arising, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that you should walk away. It simply means there’s room for adjustment. Instead of blaming yourself for struggling, what if you approached this as a helpful signal as to how you can support yourself better?
Could you make changes to create more predictable income? Are clearer boundaries with clients something that might reduce stress? Would building a financial buffer help ease the pressure? Rather than seeing difficulties as proof that you’re not cut out for this, see them as signals that something in your business needs nurturing. As successful entrepreneurs we don’t have to avoid struggles—we can learn how to adapt to them, and to be gentle with ourselves as we explore ways to make our work more sustainable.
Reconnecting with your values – why did you start this?
Doubt can often cloud the bigger picture, making it easy to forget why you started this journey in the first place. When self-doubt creeps in, take a moment to reconnect with your deeper motivations.
Why did you leave the 9-5 world? What kind of impact do you want to create through your work? What personal freedoms have you gained that you wouldn’t have in traditional employment? Your mind’s job is to keep you safe, not necessarily to help you thrive, and sometimes it confuses uncertainty with danger. But remember: you made this choice for a reason. Let that reason be your anchor when doubt tries to push you off course.
Is this a call for growth or an escape hatch?
Not every difficult moment is a sign that you should quit—sometimes, it’s an invitation to grow. This is where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) concepts can be helpful. Instead of reacting to discomfort by trying to escape it, consider whether this is an opportunity to stretch yourself in new ways.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, perhaps what you need isn’t to quit but to develop more supportive structures for handling uncertainty. If exhaustion is taking its toll, maybe the answer isn’t walking away but finding a way to work with more balance and ease. If client inconsistency is making things difficult, could refining your marketing strategy help?
Uncertainty is part of this path, and the goal isn’t to eliminate it—it’s to strengthen your ability to navigate it with self-kindness and resilience. Instead of seeing doubt as a stop sign, consider whether it’s simply a call to make adjustments so your business works better for you.
When should you pay attention to the voice?
Of course, there are times when stepping back or pivoting is the right decision. But the most important thing is to ensure you’re making a decision from a place of self-awareness rather than fear. If you are considering a shift, ask yourself: Are you making this choice from a place of alignment with your values, or are you reacting to temporary discomfort?
If fear is leading the conversation, the real work isn’t in giving up—it’s in learning how to create more stability and self-trust. Whatever you choose, be kind to yourself. You’re doing something brave by running your own business, and that’s worth recognising.
You’ve come this far for a reason. Trust yourself to take the next step—whatever that looks like for you—and know that whatever you decide, you are not failing. You are simply navigating your own unique path, and that in itself is a success.