I Thought I Needed a Business—Turns Out I Needed Breathing Room

For a while, I felt this deep need to create something of my own. I had the name, the website, the drive. I wanted to offer proofreading services, especially to authors on a budget and writers of faith-based work. I wanted to help people, use my skills, and maybe, eventually, turn it into a small business I could be proud of.

But the more I tried to build it, the more something felt…off.

It wasn’t the work itself—I love proofreading. I love clean documents, clarity, and the rhythm of the written word. What I didn’t love was the pressure I put on myself to make it into something more than it needed to be. I started feeling like I was always behind, always needing to prove I was doing enough. Suddenly, my peaceful mornings turned into business-planning time. My sense of joy turned into stress over marketing and visibility.

That’s when it hit me: maybe I don’t need a business right now.Maybe what I really need is breathing room.

Room to listen to God.

Room to be a present mom.

Room to rest and recover, without having to hustle for validation.

Room to write because I want to, not because I “should.”

Room to just be.

I used to think having a business was how I’d reclaim my story after everything I’ve been through. But maybe the real reclamation is this: choosing peace. Choosing slow. Choosing not to chase something that drains me just because I feel like I “should.”

I’m not shutting the door completely. I still love the idea of proofreading for others—especially students or writers who need a second set of eyes. I still might take on a few small projects here and there. But I’m not building an empire. I’m not building anything right now, actually.

I’m letting myself breathe.