Deciding whether to quit work

Hi . That is a huge decision and one that many people here have faced. I hope you get lots of responses. Striking out on your own is scary, but you can succeed if you do it right. I left my full-time job when our first child was born to pursue fiction writing. I worked a bunch of part-time jobs and even owned an online business in order to keep us financially afloat while I worked on my novels and pursued publication. Two decades later, I have one novel out and contracts for five more. I learned a ton along the way. In my experience, the most important factor in succeeding on your own is that you do your research. Make sure you know how much money you will need to invest up front, how much you can expect to earn (especially in that first year), how to brand and promote your business, how to handle the accounting, how you intend to grow or maintain your business -- all of that stuff. Health care is a huge concern as well. If you are married and your spouse does not have healthcare, you can expect to pay at least $20,000 per year on decent coverage and you need to make sure that coverage includes PsA meds. I made lots of mistakes along the way, but I learned from each one and moved on. I don't regret a thing. Chronic illness was not a factor me though. You might want to consider applying for disability to provide a steady income while you test out your plan. Here is an article about the application process: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/resources-ssdi Many people hire lawyers with experience in disability claims to handle the paperwork for them. If you apply on your own, you might face multiple rejections before finally getting approved. I hope this helps and that your pursue your dream. If work is something you are passionate about, it won't feel like work at all and that is a wonderful thing. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member)

Hi @sarahr. I walked away from a good paying job that I had been at for eight years. The PsA made it difficult for me to do the job five days a week. I, like you, was scared to death. I had very long talks with my husband about it before deciding to do it. That was 11 years ago. I was the best decision I ever made. I never fully realized the toll it was taking on my body until I wasn't working. However, it was tough at first. The hit it took to our income was sizable. I now work from home. I agree with Lori. Research everything. Maybe put pencil to paper like a monthly planner on what you would need financially. In my husband's job they offer short term disability. Does your company offer something like that? If so it might be an option for you. Please feel free to reach out privately to me if you have questions. Vickie W., Team Member

Thank you both for your kind messages. I'm in such a state of limbo and grief still but as I am in a very fortunate position, I do feel inspired to take a leap from hearing your stories, as scary as you both know that is!
At some point we will have to move house, that could mean relocating entirely. The UK is our oyster.

I have a generous financial cushion thanks to my wonderful family and as I've learned from losing both my parents so young, life is something that you have to both seize and enjoy.
My children are young and it is energy I can spend with them rather than waste in an office then be too tired for anything fun. I lost my dad at 50 and he was in an office 10 hours a day, often weekends too.
I can work to pursue my own studies and career interests botany/gardening/ foraging/herbalising around their school hours and spend that time being there for my kids that we need so much.
I'm basically rationalising this all to myself as ultimately it still feels irresponsible to leave a job when I have my family to support...I love what I do but I'm just feeling too tired, sore and down cos of how little sleep I'm getting due to the pain waking me, to continue.
Its ok to feel this way, right?
Guilty but hoping I'm making the right decision for the right reasons?

I'm on the diving board but just standing at the edge.