6 years into it and I can confirm it's the best decision I've made in my life so far. And let me just be clear that I'm not a success story:

• It hasn't been all champagne and roses.

• I didn't leave with a plan.

• I've struggled in numerous ways in the last 6 years.

• I've been broke as hell at some points.

• Money is still an uphill battle.

... but it was still the best decision of my life.

I don't see myself ever going back unless I'm consulting at an hourly rate commensurate to what I would've made in an entire day working for them.

Life is just richer. More creative, more colorful, more challenging, more fulfilling. I feel so much more alive.

I was withering away in that cubicle chair. As hard as the ebbs have been after leaving, they've been worth every second of suffering and stress.

Every choice we make in life has a set of problems we will have to endure as a result. I'd take the set of problems of being out on my own any day over the set of problems I had working in the corporate world.

I will acknowledge that every person is different, though. My partner thrives on the stability and structure of the 9-5, so self-awareness is critical before making any rash decision to upend.