When I reposted this image by Sara M. Lyons on Instagram last night, everyone went nuts: liking the photo, tagging their friends, squealing about how they need this too. The patch Sara is holding is made by Vichcraft, and it says SELF EMPLOYED — TOUGH LITTLE BITCHES.

I think the reason why it resonated so deeply is because it references the modern dream — to be a #girlboss, to run your own business, to set your hours and live life on your terms — but also addresses the strictly no bullshit attitude that is necessary to experience any degree of success.

Being self-employed can be rough. It’s all on you. You don’t always know where next month’s rent is coming from. The ups and downs can make you feel like the pressure of it all is going to crush you to death.

For many of us, there is no guaranteed monthly salary, no health insurance, no 401K, no benefits. We’re the girls whose partners roll their eyes when they see us crack open the laptop (again). We’re the boys who always have one more email to send. We’re the ones who find it nigh impossible to “turn off.” We’re the grrrls who write endless to-do lists, have overflowing planners, and Google Calendar alerts pinging all day long.

Sometimes it just seems like too much. We look at our friends who have “regular” jobs and feel a little bit wistful. If only we could just clock in and clock out, knowing there’s a cheque waiting at the end of the month. But then we start thinking about those fluorescent lights, the pointless meetings, the feeling of being under someone’s thumb… And we remember why we’re doing this.

We’re the ones whose eyes light up when we talk about what we do. We’re the ladies who know that our work makes a difference. We’re the babes who feel like we might die if we didn’t get to do this. We may go to bed exhausted every night, but we drift off to sleep feeling deeply fulfilled.

Self-employed tough little bitches UNITE! I know it can be hard. Oh man, do I know. If you’re running your own business, I SALUTE YOU. This shit takes clit.

If you’re having a tough time right now, just know this: I believe in you. You’re brave and resilient beyond measure and you can do this! Keep going! Keep pushing. Keep striving. No one else can do this the way you do. No one else has your vision, no one else has your guts or grit. If you throw in the towel, you are depriving the world of something truly amazing. Stay the course. You never know what could happen tomorrow, next week, next year… Every seed you plant will produce something eventually, you just have to have faith.

If all else fails? Remember that life is a game and everything is an illusion. The most important thing is to feel good as often as you can. Your feelings are a preview of your coming attractions. Make feeling good your priority and you can’t go wrong.

I love you forever,