Why I Chose a Keyboard Alongside My Stethoscope and Was It Worth It?
Discover how I combined my stethoscope with a keyboard, taking up freelance writing to enhance my healthcare career and rediscover purpose.
In 2011, I was fortunate to find an easy entry into the world of contractual writing, thanks to oDesk (now Upwork). At the time, I was unhappy with the direction of my professional life. My days felt monotonous and colorless, and I needed a creative outlet - something to reignite my interest in life. Writing had always been a source of joy for me, so I decided to give professional writing a try. Beyond just staying busy, I wanted to see if this passion could also bring me a constant happiness and a sense of purpose.
Why I Chose Writing: More Than Just a Career Move
I chose writing as an alternate career path for three main reasons. First, I needed extra income. Second, I wanted to explore my potential in a field that excited me - how much could I earn, and how would I fare in a world of professional writers? Third, writing for clients meant setting goals, following structured processes, meeting deadlines, and committing to consistently delivering quality work. At that time, I lacked the motivation to write solely for myself, but the accountability of client work gave me a reason to stay productive.
Looking back, listing myself as a contractor on oDesk was one of the best decisions I ever made. It opened a vast horizon for me to explore and inhabit. It wasn’t just about earning money - it became the gateway to pivotal roles in U.S.-based companies doing cutting-edge work in healthcare. This transition eventually shaped my career in ways I hadn’t imagined.
Landing My First Freelance Writing Assignment
Luck was on my side when I landed my first writing project after applying to fewer than ten jobs. It was an assignment for an Australian woman named Kelly, who needed an article on how physical therapy coaches contribute to healthcare. As a clinician with over a decade of experience, this topic was second nature to me. I could have easily written a 100-page document on it!
I still remember sitting in my front room, typing on my desktop with the main door open, the ceiling fan on full blast, and the radio playing English hits in the background. Within three hours, I had completed the 3,000-word assignment. The biggest challenge was condensing my subject knowledge into the word limit while ensuring the content was engaging and informative. I didn’t want to leave out any information that could have helped the reader. I was so deeply focused on writing this first professional health article that I don’t recall anything about my surroundings during those three hours - a perfect example of being in a state of deep work. Even to this day, I remain a fan of deep work, everything organized and intense.
After editing and fine-tuning the piece, I hit send. To my surprise, Kelly loved it. She didn’t request a single revision and even sent me a bonus, expressing her delight in what she described as an exceptional experience with a freelance writer. That moment gave me the validation I truly needed - it confirmed that I had what it took to succeed in this field.
How Freelance Writing Helped Me Cope with Loneliness
During those days, I was battling intense loneliness. My marriage had grossly atrophied, and it was routine for me to feel marginalized and belittled during interactions. The environment inside my home was always dry and cold, lifeless. When we weren’t speaking-which was most of the time-we functioned independently in our own lives. But it would be untrue to say I thrived during this period. I needed someone’s company on an emotional and intellectual level to feel in sync with myself, but that connection was missing.
I have always valued friendships deeply, needing at least one trusted confidant. Yet, post-marriage, I had to distance myself from my existing friends due to the complexities of my unconventional relationship. Support from my biological family also withered soon after my wedding, leaving me with almost no social circle. I felt trapped in a grind with no one who truly cared for me - except my mother.
Amid this isolation, freelance writing became my lifeline - a much-needed outlet that nourished the dry roots of my existence and anchored me in the ground I was struggling to stand on. It filled the void within me and made me appreciate the textured rhythm of a routine shaping exactly as I had hoped. A new email, a new job proposal, a fresh topic list - each brought a bundle of happiness and a sense of control I hadn’t felt in years. Suddenly, my life was glowing, cutting through the suffocating, thick fog that had clouded it for so long. Writing not only helped me escape the loneliness but also reignited my sense of self-worth and creativity in ways I hadn’t imagined possible.
How I Grew from One Project to Many
After my first success, I applied feverishly for more jobs. Soon, my schedule was packed, and I was writing day and night. The appreciation I received from clients motivated me to keep going. Their words of encouragement were a lifeline during a time when I needed them most. This was the first time in my life that I was being recognized for my writing abilities, and it felt like a dream come true. And the thrill of foreign money hitting my bank account? That was on a whole other level.
By day, I worked in the hospital treating patients - a role I excelled in, as my colleagues and patients often told me. By night, I transformed into a passionate writer, pouring my clinical knowledge into hundreds of research-quality articles on medicines, treatments, and health conditions. This dual life was intense but incredibly rewarding.
How Freelance Writing Changed My Life for the Better
With this additional income, I started treating myself to small luxuries. I dined out more often, watched the latest movies in theaters, and shopped for books, gadgets, and clothes. I also began traveling more frequently, staying in hotels, and exploring religious sites. The financial freedom brought by freelance writing had a transformative impact on my lifestyle and mindset.
But the benefits weren’t just material. Writing exposed me to the global work culture and the rapidly evolving trends in healthcare. It taught me how to leverage my clinical knowledge in diverse ways. Over time, these experiences opened doors to full-time roles in U.S.-based companies - positions that had a profound influence on my career trajectory.
Looking back, what started as a boredom-busting experiment turned into a major milestone in my life. It navigated me toward new opportunities and helped me reach greater heights. Professional writing gave me more than just a paycheck - it gave me a constant current of confidence, a solid sense of purpose, and a fresh perspective on how I could use my skills to help others. The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but the thoughts during those days felt like sparks igniting within me—powerful and determined, carving new pathways in my mind. They became the quiet nudge I needed, helping me see a new direction in life and giving me the confidence to take it one step at a time, even if the path ahead wasn’t entirely clear.