The “go independent” advice is missing the part where you eat ramen for 6 months

Everyone on here: "Quit your job! Go independent! I make $400k!"

Nobody: "You'll make $0 for the first 4-6 months and question every life decision."

I'm 8 months into independent recruiting. First 4 months were brutal. Zero revenue. Living off savings. Constant anxiety.

Month 5 I closed my first deal. $18k. Literally cried.

Months 6-8 things picked up. Around $25k/month now. Finally feels sustainable.

But those first months? Nobody warns you. Everyone just posts their success screenshots.

If you're thinking about going independent:

• You need 6-9 months runway minimum
• Your network probably isn't as good as you think
• Cold outreach sucks but it's necessary
• Rejection is constant at first
• The uncertainty is mentally exhausting

Still glad I did it. But the "just go independent" advice without context is dangerous.