Why Quitting Your 9–5 and Starting an Online Business Feels Like Freedom (And It’s Not Just About…

Let’s face it, nobody fantasizes about 9–5. No one.

There is no desire for cubicles, fluorescent lights, and the never-ending grind of losing your entire day. Yet, there we are, clocking in week after week. But there’s a growing movement. A rebellion. Pushing hard against the status quo.

And it’s fueled by the allure of an online business.

Sure, the dream of passive income is tempting (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want it?), but there’s a deeper reason why starting an online business feels so good. And it’s something that not many people talk about — it’s about reclaiming your values.

Think about it. School and university rarely teach you about pursuing your passions, building something from the ground up, and being the boss of your own time. Instead, we’re subtly conditioned for the “safe” path, the 9–5 grind. But that path often leads to a feeling of giving up on your dreams in exchange for a paycheck that feels (at best) like a consolation prize.

It’s a bit like getting into a relationship with a narcissist. There’s a moment when you think, “How do I get out? What do I do now?”

And if that’s where you’re at right now, here’s what NOT to do:

Don’t overthink and ruminate: analysis paralysis is a dream killer.

Don’t seek validation from friends and family. They may not understand your entrepreneurial itch (and may not want to lend you money to get started or see you doing better than them).

Don’t become a free-information junkie: You’ll drown in a sea of unstructured YouTube knowledge and waste more time than you can possibly imagine.

Here’s what you CAN do instead:

Curate your inspiration: Surround yourself with successful entrepreneurs who ignite your passion. If you can’t do this in person, do it like the rest of us, and follow those that inspire you on social media.

Start a conversation: Let people know your goals and seek guidance (those who have done it before and done it well).

Take action, set a deadline, and commit: Invest in a targeted course and dedicate focused time to building your dream. A few hours each day will move the needle, and within a few months, you just might be able to fire your boss!

So, back to your values.

A job that steals 70% of your time will never feel good. The things in life that matter to you most come from your core. When you surround yourself with a boss you can’t stand and colleagues that grate on you, you consistently put yourself in an unaligned environment. That’s why you don’t get the promotion. That’s why you wake up at 3 a.m. ruminating about life. Your core is disturbed.

The disconnection in your heart will keep tugging at you until you make the change. So, building something meaningful that gives you a lifestyle you enjoy is worth so much more than financial freedom.

It’s about owning your time.

Over and out.

Effie

Find me at @effortlessly.faceless