Nearly six years ago, I left the world of regular paychecks, corner offices and difficult bosses to become my own boss. I opened my own public relations agency, Murphy Media Services, LLC, and at the same time took my first steps toward a future writing career.

Believe me, becoming a freelancer and small business owner was never on my bucket list of things to do. In fact, over the years, I said many times, “I will never, EVER own my own business.” Having worked in government public relations since 1981, I was used to good benefits, regular paychecks and security.

Well, so much for my inflated sense of security. In January 2005, two days after my birthday, I joined the ranks of the unemployed. Of course, the first thing I did was start looking for another PR job. But something happened during that brief job hunt. I realized I didn’t want to end up in another PR job that looked exactly like all the other PR jobs I had held in the previous two-and-a-half decades. I was convinced that this moment was my proverbial window opening after the door had shut. I decided to take a leap of faith and try it on my own, in spite of knowing nothing about running a business.

My first freelance job came within a month. The Twin Falls Times-News called me to report on a 6-week-long murder trial being held in Boise. They wanted daily coverage but didn’t have a reporter to send to Boise for that amount of time so, on a leap of faith and a recommendation from Bill Manny at the Idaho Statesman, they called me.

I got to work side by side with reporters from 20/20, Dateline, and Court TV, who took me under their wings and gave me tons of professional advice and encouragement. The deadlines were grueling - I sat in court from 8 am to 4 pm, went home and pulled my notes together, then filed a story every evening by 9 pm, five days a week. I got paid $50 per story, $70 if it ended up on the front page. The amount of hours I put in averaged my pay out to about $3.50 per hour.

But, it was a great learning experience and my reporting ultimately won a 1st place Idaho Press Club award for Crime and Courts Reporting. Since that time I’ve been interviewed about the case for the “Snapped” program on the Oxygen Channel; Discovery Channel’s “Solved” program, and E! Network’s “Too Young To Kill.”

Freelancing has allowed me to do things that would have never been possible had I stayed in a traditional job. I’ve written for the New York Times, worked with some incredibly talented people, recently completed ghostwriting a book for a past Nobel Laureate, and am currently working on my own book.

But as high as the highs are, the lows can be just as low. There have been many lean months and many sleepless nights wondering where the next job or client will come from; questions about whether or not to go back into the job market; occasional insecurity. Then, there are the extra expenses such as individual health insurance, business insurance, office equipment, and other costs that the employed may never think of.

But, hey, you get to wear slippers and sweat pants while you work!

Here’s what I know for sure:

• Millions have lost their jobs and, for many, it is the unexpected chance to leap into freelancing and find their true passion. Losing a job is not shameful. It can be a blessing.
• Like philosopher Joseph Campbell wrote, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where before there were only walls.”
• Always stay open to opportunities that may present themselves.
• If you do what you love the money will follow.
• Money is NOT the most important thing. Be willing to take on low paying jobs (eg, the murder trial project) as you will always learn something new that will come in handy later.
• Believe in yourself and have faith that you are exactly where you are supposed to be right now, even if it is not exactly where you want to be. Who knew that the job I intensely disliked 16 years ago would lead me to my dream job, which eventually led me to the life I live today? I believe completely that we need to go through each experience to grow to the next level.

Patti Murphy owns Murphy Media Services, LLC public relations (www.murphymediaservices.com), and blogs about the business of writing at www.murphywrites.com. She can be reached at patti@murphymediaservices.com, 208-336-3424.