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I almost gave up and got a 9-5 job

I almost gave up and got a 9-5 job

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You ever see this meme?

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10 months ago, in November 2024, I was about to be the guy on the bottom.

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I haven't told many people this, but I almost gave up on this whole indie-hacking, boostrapping, solopreneurial dream of mine.

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I was 9 months into quitting my full-time job (in March 2024) and that little voice in the back of my head that said, "dude, just get a job and build these websites on the side" was starting to sound a lot more practical.

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Because, in all honesty, it was.

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But I'm not really a practical person.

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I've never been.

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I like risk and sometimes I play stupid games, knowing that I'm likely to win stupid prizes.

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Why? You can call it pride or ego.

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But the real reason is dumber than that.

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As the Gen Zers say, I do it "for the plot." In other words, I like taking risks because it makes for a great story and makes life less predictable.

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I'm sharing this because today I discovered that 25k people have subscribed to my youTube channel in the last 9 months.

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Something I never would have predicted could happen to me a year ago.

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Luck had a major factor.

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If the video I spontaneously made in December 2024 at my parent's house (where I reacted to Greg Isenberg's comment section for a video around directories) didn't randomly blow-up like it did, I probably wouldn't have continued making videos.

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I honestly feel like the Lil Yachty of YouTube - a guy once known for his undeservingly fast path to success, but now an accepted part of rap/pop culture.

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(btw I'm not saying everyone should just start a youtube channel, but if you've been thinking about it, I wrote a tweet around 25 things I learned making a video a week for those interested).

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My point is, your life as you know it can look very different in the span of a year.

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Directories, or no directories. YouTube, or no Youtube.

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Taking risks in the form of creating things is an invitation for luck.

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And a stroke of luck can give you enough momentum to completely change how you use your free will to break habits, mental objections and belief systems.

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And that's what keeps you swinging the pickaxe.

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This is all to say, if you're reading this because you saw one of my silly YouTube videos on directories at any point, I appreciate you.

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Because of your support, I've been able to move into my own apartment and adopt these two kittens who need $1000 worth of lab tests this month because they have giardia.

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No, but honestly, thanks for entrusting me with your time & attention.

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Hope you continue building some cool stuff!!

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Best,

Frey
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