Just make sure you're not chasing a fallacy. Most people find that creating "your own thing" isn't the path to freedom, but a prison far worse than any cubicle.

Just make sure you're not chasing a fallacy. Most people find that creating "your own thing" isn't the path to freedom, but a prison far worse than any cubicle. Trust me, I've experienced it. If you want real freedom, then find a job that provides that. You probably won't make the money you want. Or live the lifestyle you think you need. In the end, however, you'll be much more free to pursue life the way you want. For instance, my wife dedicated herself to a PhD. She makes FAR less as a professor than she otherwise would, but she takes her summers off and gets to spend time out in the world. It's not a life of glamour, but it's a life of freedom. There are jobs that offer equal levels of freedom. You just have to often be willing to compromise some things to find them.