Overcoming adversity: Rebuilding my SEO Writing Business after a severe spinal injury that left me bedridden for weeks, and kept me away from my writing desk for 6 months. Plus lessons learned.
Introduction:
In October, my life took an unexpected turn when a severe spinal injury left me bedridden for weeks. As an SEO writer, this setback threatened not only my physical well-being but also the very existence of my freelance business. However, through resilience, determination, and a commitment to prioritize my health, I turned adversity into an opportunity for growth. Today, I share my journey of rebuilding my SEO writing business from scratch, highlighting the lessons learned along the way.
A Sudden Setback Made Me Lose all Writing Clients
In October, the news from doctors was bleak: a year-long recovery period lay ahead, during which I wouldn’t be able to walk, or sit at my desk for long durations. As a freelancer, this prognosis was devastating. It meant losing all my clients and projects that I’ve worked hard to secure, and not to mention during the busiest marketing quarter of the year (the year-end). No client would wait for a freelancer for a year to recover, right? It meant “game over” for me.
Prioritizing Health and Well-being
To be honest, I couldn’t even think too much on what losing my clients meant because I was focused on my health. I knew that without good health, success in any job is hard to even imagine, so I made a conscious decision to prioritize all my energy on my recovery. Three months into my hiatus, I began to see significant improvements in my health. With each day, my strength and mobility increased, reaffirming my belief in the importance of prioritizing self-care.
- I have to thank my chiro who kept encouraging me and motivating me – despite the hospital surgeon who said nothing can be done, and nothing can be done.
- I also started doing daily exercises and eventually moved to swimming, walking, and cycling – all while listening to my body and not trying to push it.
The Journey of Rebuilding My Writing Business From Zero
In April, (that’s 6 months after my injury) armed with newfound determination and a renewed sense of purpose, I embarked on the journey of rebuilding my SEO writing business. Rather than dwelling on past losses, I focused on the possibilities that lay ahead. Leveraging my existing blog following, and email list I reached out to past clients and prospects, showing my commitment to delivering high-quality content.
- Unfortunately, I did not get back all my clients, but I succeeded in signing up new ones.
- I also took this opportunity to revamp my whole business, cut down on extra services, focus on what I’m good at, and increase my pricing.
- This has turned out a success because, I am now fully booked for the rest of the year, with large projects and ideal writing clients.
I also talked about this in an Instagram post:
Lessons Learned:
- Resilience is Key: Setbacks are inevitable in any business journey. What matters most is how we respond to adversity. By remaining resilient in the face of challenges, you can use setbacks and turn them into opportunities for new growth.
- Health is Wealth: Without health, success loses its meaning. Prioritizing your self-care isn’t just essential for physical well-being but also for maintaining the mental clarity needed to navigate the ups and downs of being a freelancer.
- Adaptability is Crucial: The freelance world is ever-evolving. Being adaptable and open to new opportunities is essential for long-term success. Embracing change allows you to stay ahead of the curve and seize new opportunities.
- Positive Mindset Fuels Success: Success is seldom achieved by people who are negative or depressed. I know it because I was in that zone, and couldn’t even write down a single word. You need a positive mind to be able to write and inspire others.
Conclusion:
Today, as I reflect on my journey of rebuilding my SEO writing business after my injury, I am grateful for the challenges that I’ve overcome. Through resilience and determination, I know I’ve emerged stronger and more confident in my skills than ever before. As I continue on my writing journey, I carry with me the lessons learned: the value of prioritizing health and the necessity of adaptability. Armed with these lessons, I am confident in my ability to overcome any challenge that may arise and achieve success in both my personal and professional ventures.
“Thank you all of you who have shown me support during these past 6 months.” Signed: Alle Ceambur