Four years ago today I left my full-time position at UNC Research to start my own business.

Four years. That’s 1,461 days. It is also exactly a quarter of my adult, professional life.

When I left the comfort and security of my state employee job, I told everyone I was excited. But I was mostly stressed. I experienced a lot of self-doubt and sleepless nights. Venturing out on my own and navigating the world of full-time freelance work was daunting to say the least. Everything was a struggle: making enough money, getting enough sleep, finding enough work, exhibiting enough confidence. I lived off coffee, adrenaline, and tenacity.

Phew. Just thinking about those first few months is exhausting.

But I did it. And I’m still doing it.