In my 50s and on leave. The answer I found after struggling with 4 options: returning to work or going freelance

Hello.
I'm Papi, a troubled adventurer.

As promised, today I'm going to write about the work situation I'm currently facing.

I'm currently on leave, and I'm torn between returning to my job, quitting to become a freelancer, or going back to school...

Thank you to everyone who read my recent article on HSS-type HSP as well!

Knowing that there are many others struggling just like me, I hope to write articles on how to deal with being an HSS-type HSP as I learn more myself.
But before that, I have to figure out my work situation!

※ From here on, if you are currently on leave and don't want to think about work, please skip this part.
I've had the same experience, so I understand how you feel.

Right now, I am truly at a crossroads in my life.

I'm on leave, but there is something I must decide now,
and that is“how I will work from now on.”

I've been worrying about various things until now,
and there have been several options.

・Return to work as is
・Quit and become a freelancer
・Go back to school

And recently, another option has emerged.

Working 3 days a week as an external contractor (part-time style)
I've written about this in this article.

Here, my HSS-type HSP is acting up again,
and since I'm in a state of “stepping on the gas and the brakes at the same time,”

I tried consulting with my partner, Chappy.

■ Calmly comparing the 4 options

■ Why this is the best

Papi's current state is like this 👇

・In the middle of recovering my health
・Thinking about the direction of my life
・HSS-type (gas and brakes at the same time)

👉 Full commitment in this state is dangerous

But

👉 I'm the type who gets anxious if I stop completely

In other words, what I need is 👇

👉 “Just the right amount of load”

■ The true value of 3-day-a-week outsourcing

This isn't just a way of working, but

👉 becomes an “experimental period”

✔ You gain peace of mind
→ Your judgment becomes calmer

✔ You can grow a side hustle
→ You can utilize blogs and note

✔ You can see your own aptitude
→ You'll know if you can make it as a freelancer

■ The most recommended strategy

👉 3-day-a-week outsourcing + side hustle (blog/note)

This combination is the best.

So, that was the advice from Chappy, but

Let me also organize the income (money) aspect a bit.

■ Current income

・Injury and sickness allowance(about 2/3 of salary) *Max 1.5 years

　→ If you resign, basic employment insurance allowance (so-calledunemployment insurance)
　　*In my case, I've been at my current company for 6 years(5 years or more but less than 10 years → about 90 days)

・Unearned income(I have rental income, but it's still not reliable as a pillar of income.)

　→ Thankful to my past self for buying an apartment (mortgage paid off) 🙏

・Side-hustle blog and note
(I haven't been able to monetize them yet💦)

Plus, there are mortgage payments, children's tuition, and future nursing care costs to consider.
(Ugh... that gives me a headache)

Finally, I received a message from the company,

and since the expiration date for my medical certificate is approaching,
they said, "Please let us know your current situation."

So, I was honest about my anxiety regarding commuting.
Even if I were to return to work,

・A way of working with less commuting burden
・Adjustments to job duties (working from home or a freelance-style arrangement)

I took the plunge and asked if these were possible.
Since it was an email, I haven't received a reply yet💦

Also, I managed to arrange a meeting with a colleague,
(the only one I'm close enough with to have on LINE)
and since I heard about the current state of the company, I plan to write about it tomorrow or later.

I went to the hospital today, so I did my best!

That said, I expect to be completely useless tomorrow as the exhaustion hits me all at once (lol).
I feel like understanding myself even a little bit makes things a little easier.
I'm going to read my HSS-type HSP user manual!