Two years of hell have just ended

I've had enough of it. I've had enough of all the stress, all the late hours, the worry, never having a weekend to myself, always having to take work home because the only way to make ends meet is to take on too much work, never being able to go out on the bike, waking up at 3am worrying 'oh ****, I haven't done [whatever]', working my guts out to pay wages for people who can't stand the sight of me (feeling's mutual), being everyone's best friend until I send them an invoice, rapacious landlords, rip off professional indemnity insurance (£24350 last year, and I have never made a claim), the constant struggle to pay all the bills, lazy, lying and cheating partners, and so on. The last two years, since I merged my business with another, have been a disaster.

Peeps, I have sold my business. Not that it was worth anything - everyone thinks solicitors are loaded, but this one ain't. Solicitors are no more immune to the recession than anyone else. I think you'd be shocked if I told you how little I have taken out of the practice for the last two years - and how much capital I have lost. I feel very, very bitter. It's been a nightmare and at last it's over. Well actually it isn't because having transferred the assets I now have to wind it up and I have to deal with creditors. Perhaps I'm a poor manager, perhaps I was just unlucky. I know that there are a lot of other firms in the same position.

Some people on here have been kind enough to instruct me. To them I am really grateful If I was still holding any of your money, (don't think I am) it's still in my client account, which I would add balances to the bean. The new owners will finish things off for you.

So what next? Well, I'm finishing off a few things for the new owners, and I still work in Liverpool a few days a week. But otherwise, I'm now unemployed and looking for a job. I will have a difficult time fending off debts that I have personally guaranteed.

And you know what????

I'm as happy as a pig in muck

Ed

that is all

God I envy you Ed.

I'd stop self employment tomorrow if I could.

It does have its ups and downs but its bloody hard work at the moment.

[anna]

I know that you have found it hard in recent times, and youve spoken on here of the hours you have always put in.

I am glad for you that you are finally at a place where you can hand over the responsibility to someone else, I wish you all the best in finding employment and I am sure it wont be long before someone snaps you up.

Hope things work out for you Ed, it aint fair for you to have all that crap and not earn out of it.

Is it possible for you to be a one man band? only got yourself then.

But self employment aint as good as people think it is
I have been pondering my next move for the last few months, dont really wanna work for somebody but cant stand the lack of decent jobs coming in.

I wanna do something that interests me tbh, bikes have my main interest atm so something bike related would be good i think.

Got a few ideas but need to research them a bit further.

[Jayneflakes]

Hey Ed, sorry to hear that you have been through such a rough time. You only get one life and to spend all of it working is hardly a life at all. Good luck in your new ventures.

Hugs

J+C
XXX

good on you Ed-it takes big balls to say enough is enough, and when you start going to bed thinking about work, wake up thinking about work, its time to change something.
Good luck for the future

i dont mean this to sound bad but
good, you were turning into a miserible barsteward, hopefully this will see the return of happy ed, close that chapter in your life and look forward to the future mate, your the sort of bloke that will crack on and have a better life without all the carp youve taken recently

as they say back home, you'll be grand

[fizzwheel]

Glad to hear you are coming through it all now Ed, I remember talking to you at AR10 when you told me what was going on it sounded pretty horrific. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger and all that.

Fair play, congrats on having the guts to do it. Best of luck for the future!