6 Months of Independent Consulting — Reflections on Freedom, Focus & Growth

🦋 A Leap into Independence

Six months ago, I took a brave leap into Independent Consulting — and what an incredible journey it has been so far!

When I first stepped away from a structured, salaried role, I thought I was simply exchanging stability for flexibility. But personally, this shift has turned out to be much more layered. It has led me to redefine how I work, what I prioritise, and the kind of impact I want to create going forward. It has also meant unlearning the comfort of fixed routines, sitting with uncertainty on multiple fronts, and realising that curiosity, values, and relationships are just as critical as a steady payslip!

To celebrate this small milestone, I wanted to share some reflections and learnings from my journey so far — and specifically highlight how I'm learning to build a more meaningful, sustainable and joyous practice for myself!

🧘‍♀️ The Power of Saying No

One of my biggest learnings so far, has been learning to say NO!

A version of me just a few years ago would have enthusiastically said yes to many of the roles and offers I've declined this year — whether it was writing-heavy roles, social media management, event logistics, or a even some full-time science communication and engagement positions at academic institutions.

Even for projects I do want to pursue, I have become much clearer about doing so on my own terms — whether it is (re)negotiating responsibilities, timelines and pay, or specifying what I’d like to handle versus what I’d prefer to outsource.

Saying no isn’t always easy, but it’s freeing — it creates precious "space, time and energy" — a mini universe in itself — to engage with the right projects and the right people!

📊 Intentional Business Planning

Another big shift has been becoming more deliberate about business planning. Without the safety net of a monthly salary, every project, timeline, and travel decision suddenly carries much more weight:

• Do I take this gig even if the pay is modest, because it aligns with my values?

• Can I justify the time and cost of traveling to that conference, or would that energy be better invested in deepening ongoing projects?

• How do I balance the need for immediate revenue with the longer-term vision of building a practice that’s sustainable, ethical, and impactful?

  
  

These are all tough questions and there are no absolute right or wrong answers — only choices that best align with where my business is right now! And these considerations aren’t just financial either — they’re deeply personal ones shaping how I choose to live, grow, and sustain myself in the years ahead.

Eventually, I’ve realised that every “yes” comes at the cost of another opportunity, and being mindful of these trade-offs has been one of the most sobering yet empowering lessons of this journey.

🛠️ Building Structures Early

To make this work, I’ve had to build systems and processes early on. While I don’t yet have a team, I’m already planning for the day I do — because the foundations I lay now will shape how my business grows later.

One example has been how I allocate and budget my time. Not only am I documenting how much I spend on each project, but I’ve also created intentional boundaries. I’ve limited unpaid passion projects — such as social science research, voluntary talks, or other experimental projects — to about 30% of my time. The remaining 70% is dedicated to revenue-generating work like strategy and impact consulting, writing and editing, teaching and workshops, DEIA and decolonisation projects, and updating my website and portfolio.

It’s not always easy to put passion projects aside, but I know this is a short-term compromise for a longer-term vision. This discipline is essential for keeping the lights on, while still leaving space for some creativity and exploration. My hope is that after this first year, I’ll return to the 50/50 balance of voluntary and paid projects that has defined much of my career so far.

🌀 Trial, Error, and Practice

These six months have also been full of experimentation. I’ve been running small “tests” in almost every direction: What services feel most energising to provide? Which kinds of clients align with my values? Which networking opportunities are worth the time and resources? I’ve also been piloting new offerings — some successful, some already shelved, and some that I only realised were needed when people asked for them!

Ironically (and somewhat hilariously), I’ve had to apply the very principles I've been teaching for years — strategy development, impact measurement, understanding audiences, and building recursive feedback loops — to my own consulting practice! It’s been a humbling experience to turn these frameworks inward and hold a mirror up to my own practice. And yet, it has also been deeply satisfying to practice what I preach, even when it feels messy or unfinished.

🌍 The Lifeline of Community

Perhaps the most sustaining part of this journey, though, has been the people. Independent work can often feel isolating — there’s no office chatter, no teams to lean on, no HR department to check in. But there is an incredibly rich and rewarding community out there, if you choose to build it!

Over the past six months, I’ve leaned on old friends, found new collaborators, and had countless conversations with others navigating similar paths as freelancers, consultants, or small business owners. These exchanges have been more than “networking” — they’ve been lifelines of wisdom, solidarity, and encouragement. It’s in these chats, often informal and unexpected, that I’ve found both emotional support and practical insights that no handbook or course could ever offer.

🦄 Joy Amidst the Uncertainty

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth. There have been moments of doubt, of overthinking, of wondering if I'm doing enough. But alongside the uncertainty, there's also been profound joy: the freedom to choose projects that genuinely light me up, the privilege of working with brilliant people across disciplines and geographies, and the quiet thrill of building something that feels deeply mine.

It’s this combination — the messy and the meaningful — that keeps me going. The journey is not without risk, but it is rich with possibility!

🔮 Looking Ahead

In the last 6 months, it has become very clear to me that independent consulting isn’t just about offering services — it’s about co-creating spaces for conversations, collective reflection, and critical change!

As I look ahead, I’m really excited to expand this practice in ways that are not only sustainable for me, but also impactful for the communities and institutions I partner with.

If you see overlaps in our work (contexts, philosophies, and/or directions), I’d love to explore how we might collaborate, experiment, and learn together!

I’m also especially curious to connect with others freelancers, small buiness owners and consultants who’ve made similar transitions:

• What surprised you the most?

• What have been your biggest lessons?

• And, most importantly, how are you really doing?

I’m deeply grateful for everyone who’s been part of this journey so far, and I can’t wait to see where the next chapters take us.

Here’s to many more months of building, learning, and growing together!