I suspect I’m preaching to the converted here, but if you didn’t know already, working for yourself kicks serious ass. I mean, it’s brutally, epicly awesome.

If you don’t work for yourself, and you wish you did, use this article to inspire you to do what you need to do to make it happen. And if you do work for yourself, I want to see you in the comments with your own favorite reasons why working for yourself is the best damn thing in the whole history of everything you’ve ever done, ever.

1. Breakfast becomes an exercise in independence

If you’re one of those people who eat breakfast at the office or scoff it down before you leave the house, you’ll love the freedom to enjoy breakfast most of all.

You want to eat your cereal over your computer? Fine, it’s your computer. You’ll be pulling cornflakes out of your keyboard.

You want a slice of cheesecake for breakfast? That’s cool, ain’t no one around to tsk at you. Scoff it down. Hell, have another slice while you’re at it.

You want to skip the gym this morning? Watch youtube footage of kittens meowing along to Michael Jackson songs? You need to eat your cereal while listening to Manowar? As a certain over-price shoe company says, just do it.

When you work for yourself, eating breakfast suddenly becomes this huge deal. It’s your own personal triumph. You’ve beaten the system. You’re out, you’re free. Savour those cornflakes, mateys.

2. In Soviet Russia, business runs YOU

When you work for yourself, you become a slave to your creativity. You’re grabbing that muse by the shoulders and shaking her till all the inspiration falls out of her pockets. You get to do something remarkable – and yes, it takes over your life, but in a dramatic, wonderful and totally awesome way.

3. When cupcakes become the government’s problem

Have you seen how much tax you pay? Think of all the Swedish massages and cheesecakes and concert tickets you could buy if more of that money ended up in your pocket.

Say hello to deductable expenses – one of the perks of being a creative entrepreneur. I claim portions of my rent, power and internet, book collection (research – a beautifully ambiguous word) and travel expenses against my gross business income, and the amount of tax I have to pay descreases drastically. It’s awesome.

As a sole proprieter without employees and a ton of research, I even do my own taxes. I thought it would be torturous, but it’s actually one of my favourite times of year.

4. How to not be bored

Answering your email is more fun with Slayer. The cat can help you box your orders. And yes, there is a certain sadistic thrill to answering client calls while sunbathing naked on the back porch.

People who wonder how someone could work at home all day and not go insane have clearly never spent much time hanging out in their own home.

5. Keeping the Universe Alligned Via Cuddles

When I am at home, the cat is happy. When I am not at home, the cat is unhappy. Since the cat rules the universe, it’s generally better for the wellbeing of all concerned if the cat’s needs are met.

6. So last week, I gave myself a raise

You can sit down with your boss, and have a little heart-to-heart about your pay. Explain how your quality has improved and why you feel you could command a higher fee.

You boss, who is – of course – you, says “Sure thing. Let’s start you on that higher rate tomorrow.”

7. Portable office

I love adventuring. I don’t like to spend two weeks lying on a beach somewhere – I want to be in the thick of it for months at a time.

One might mistakingly assume that travel and creative businesses don’t mix. But one would assume wrong.

With my own business I can work anywhere, and I have. From the muddy chaos of the Wacken camp to an illegal dial-up internet café in Syria, I have plugged away at my websites, emailed my clients and completed articles on deadline.

I work efficiently while I’m on holiday because I’m desperate to get out and explore, so I can whip through email, blogging and client work in a couple of hours – often before my husband even gets up.

8. Cheerleaders in a Can

When you run your own business – especially a creative business – a little of your blood, sweat and tears ends up in every one of your sales (if you’re an avant garde performance artist, sometimes this is literal). The people who feel compelled by your work and choose to buy it … well, they’re like the friends you never knew you had. They are your own personal cheerleading squad. They stare at you from that pretty page in Paypal and scream “You are awesome!”

9. The sex is better

Don’t ask me why. Scientists are baffled, but it’s true.

10. I am a Donut

When someone asks you what you do, you say “I am”, instead of “I work for”. “I am an Artist”, “I am a Dancer”, “I am a Graphic Designer”. This is one of the biggest shifts in mental and emotional states I’ve experienced.

What are YOUR favorite things about running your own creative business?

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