Leaving “Safe” Behind: My First Month as an Indie Hacker

I really love how honestly you described that “fog” feeling — it’s something many people don’t realize until they step away from constant pressure.
The part about finding energy again through building really resonated with me.
I had a similar experience when I left a stressful job and started working on my own small tool — the freedom to build at your own pace changes everything.

This is one of the most honest accounts of that transition I've read. That moment you realized you were happier four hours after leaving than you'd been in months is so telling. Your ability to recognize the sliding before hitting rock bottom takes real self-awareness. Keep building what energizes you instead of what should impress someone else.

This hit way too close. That feeling of waking up and realizing the fog is gone — been there.
Respect for sharing all of this so honestly. It’s wild how stepping away from “safe” can unlock more than any promotion ever could.

This really hit home. So many founders underestimate the emotional side of leaving “safe” behind , it’s not just about building something new, it’s about rebuilding yourself in the process. I’ve worked with a few early-stage founders who went through the same journey, and that freedom + uncertainty combo often brings out their best ideas. Thanks for sharing your story ,it’s the kind of honesty this space needs more of.

This hit close to home. Leaving “safe” behind is rarely about bravery — it’s about finally listening to the parts of ourselves that have been whispering for too long.

I love how you described the shift from survival mode to actually feeling alive again. And the way building gives you energy instead of draining it… that’s a sign you’re on the right path.

Thanks for sharing such an honest turning point. Cheering you on as you keep building — not for a title, not for permission, but for yourself.

Just launched my biggest project yet — SkilloraBuilder!
It’s a free platform where anyone can instantly create a professional portfolio, generate a CV, and even get free hosting — all in one step.

I built it solo over months of hard work, and now it’s finally live!
Would love your honest feedback and thoughts

Just launched SkilloraBuilder — a free tool where you can instantly build your portfolio, CV & website. Would love feedback from the Indie Hackers community!

Wow ! this hit hard. That feeling of “I didn’t leave because I was brave, I left because I wasn’t okay” is so real. I’ve been there too , walking away from something that looked great on paper but was quietly draining the life out of me. It’s wild how fast peace can replace panic once you finally let go. Thanks for putting words to that transition , freedom really does start with one hard decision.

I'm so happy you were able to do that and gain your freedom to build what you want. It's definitely not easy and requires lots of courage. So I commend you for doing that. Unfortunately, it's not the case for me. Even though I know how to code and can turn any idea into an app, I have a family that depends on me financially. Getting that freedom is a lot more difficult for me. Luckily enough, my company is flexible and isn't introducing stress to my personal life. I'm still able to work a bit on my projects. Maybe one day, I'll be able to break free and do my own thing. Thanks for sharing!

Love how honestly you captured that shift from chasing stability to rediscovering purpose through building. That moment when fear turns into creative energy is something every founder quietly remembers. Thanks for sharing this so openly.

We might not have the same path, but this resonates with me a lot! Thanks for sharing! A lot of things happened this year, I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but still try to be optimistic and present as much as I can.

What a powerful story, Kaia.
The way you describe the shift from chaos to freedom is deeply inspiring. It takes real courage to listen to your inner voice and act before hitting rock bottom. I especially connected with your words about building — not because you have to, but because you want to.

I’m also in a phase of transformation, creating projects that challenge me and make me feel alive, even without guarantees. Thank you for sharing your journey with such honesty. The world needs more voices like yours.

Excited to see what comes next!

This hit me hard — especially the part about leaving something “safe” to actually feel free again. I went through a similar phase before I started building my own microSaaS. It’s wild how the stress fades the moment you start creating for yourself instead of someone else. Respect for taking that leap — you’ve described that feeling perfectly. 🙌

This was grounding to read. I’ve never had the guts to quit with no plan, but I recognize the “fog” you describe. Wild how sleep and small compulsions change when the nervous system isn’t on fire. Congrats on choosing freedom .and on discovering you love the building more than the badge.

Really loved this. It’s crazy how leaving something “safe” can feel terrifying at first, but then almost instantly feel lighter and more real. The way you describe building for the joy of it, not just the outcome, really hits. That’s the true spirit of indie hacking.

Really resonate with this. I also felt that same pull — realizing I couldn’t just stay in the “safe zone” anymore. So I quit my job to pursue what I truly love. It hasn’t been easy, but the sense of freedom and purpose makes it all worth it.

Really inspiring!

Thank you this is awesome!

Hey Kaya. First time I enter IH and this is just what I needed to read. Thank you very much.

HIRE THE HACK ANGELS // A CERTIFIED CRYPTOCURRENCY RECOVERY EXPERT

A few months ago, I found myself in a precarious situation when I fell victim to a deceptive trading platform. I lost £730,000 to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment broker. I was scammed multiple times by individuals who promised to recover my lost funds but only added to my distress. I was devastated. I reached a point where I was unsure if there was any hope left. It was then that I confided in a close friend who noticed my struggle and offered to help. He introduced me to a crypto recovery group known as THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT. The expert team worked tirelessly to trace and retrieve my funds, they focused on helping individuals and businesses recover their lost or stolen assets. The team's expertise in utilizing cutting-edge technology and industry knowledge to track and locate stolen assets, if you are a victim and need your funds returned, use any of the details below: 

WhatsApp (+1(520)200-2320 

They helped me regain my peace of mind in addition to returning my cryptocurrency back to my wallet.

Thank you! You are an inspiration to all of us and we really appreciate how much we can learn from you and your insightful posts.

This landed, Kaia — especially the “four hours later” freedom. I had a similar moment recently and it’s wild how quickly your nervous system tells the truth once the noise stops.

Inspiring! Amazing to read how you were able to make the switch and improve your mental state. I’m somewhat near that point too and the most stressful part is about all the financial commitments I have. What helped you best to work this one out?

This post reminds me of the essence of work. It should energise, bring out creativity and inspire innovation. Gosh, I wish you all the best with Share Skippy.

I love how you’re honest about not knowing where ShareSkippy will go, but building anyway. That’s the purest version of indie hacking — creating because you want to, not because you have to.

Thanks for writing this, Kaia. Feels like the kind of reminder every builder needs once in a while — that freedom itself can be a win.

Great post! I'm new to here... I need to give my life a new beginning, my mind is screaming for that, i need it. I'm in a job that drains me of all my energy and desire to move forward.

It's great you went for it. I think the main thing for me was stop trying to justify it with "I can do it financially" or "Is my job still interest me?" and just follow what my heart and gut tells me.

Same here — I love building things, but I don’t like “working.” I hope one day I can also do more things that truly excite me.

In my case it was something weird, I started Amazon FBA around a year and a half, I was excited but just because I saw the results of a Guru who I wrongly trusted. I realised everything was a scam, the course he sold, what he was promising in his videos. He even promised four mentoring sessions (500 EUR for all 4) but them they just expired!

So I thought, okay there might still be opportunity here, so I continued, but then after reading the book "The millionaire fastlane" from MJ DeMarco, and analyzing it with ChatGPT, I started questioning about amazon FBA, because all the benefits were eaten by the factory, the transportation from China, the management agency, the government, and especially by Amazon (45% of all or even more). The advertising campaigns were eating all my benefit and even more!

So after thinking that I was stupid and that I would never be a successful entrepreneur and that there was not going to success bla bla bla, and even suicidal thoughts for 6 months continuously I dropped. And I am sorry for the successful people that sell phisical product or has an Amazon FBA business but my experience was really bad.

The act/experience that made me drop this Amazon FBA thing was a mentor telling me that selling in Amazon was impossible these days! So I hired a real, experienced Amazon FBA mentor to tell me that I should left Amazon FBA???!!! Yes, unbelievable but true. Hahahahaha, the best 65 dollars of all my life.

So what was the problem? The problem wasn't really the Amazon FBA, but the hustle, the stress and that I didn't really like it. I was doing it because someone told me I could do millions there and not having to work again but the reality is very different, just ask ChatGPT to see what they say. You will laugh, hahahaha.

The main problem was that one external platform, Amazon, was the driver of the vehicle and I was just the copilot. The problem with that is that it violates the commandment of control said by MJ DeMarco. Amazon could increase tariffs whenever it wanted, close your account before you close your eyes, or even if you receive bad reviews from competitors for your product, even if you try hard the seller support is so bad that they don't recognize them as an attack, even if you have clear proof of it and you send them 3000 emails. They just don't answer.

And I am not saying there isn't opportunity in an Amazon FBA business but either 1) You have to be too good and like it a lot, like if it was your dog or 2) You have a clear product idea, like a unique product that no Chinese guy can copy it, a patent, etc. If not, it's impossible, and I don't say it, a mentor with +3 years of experience is saying it.

So at the end my problem was that I was hating it. Man it was so hard, it was harder than working 60 hours in a multinational, really. I hated that corporative environment. Because it was like a corporative job but worse because you were not receiving money at all! What a nightmare.

When I left it, I had such that feeling Kaia says! Because I was already working in a Job, literally to allowing me the "privilege" of selling in Amazon FBA. But when I left that, man it was like having vacations lol. Since I entered university, I never stopped for a second and now I am free! It's crazy and I didn't want to accept it but really, it was like a torture. Not like a torture but literally a torture! And now I'm free!

I am still struggling to find courage to leave the safe zone and jump-in.

Thank you!

Me to leave my safe zone and start my own work.

This is refreshing. Most people fake having it figured out. You're just being real about it.

We give up an aspect of life for the other. We are brave surfers.

I share a similar sentiment with you, because my baby is due in March next year, and honestly, the pressure on my family is starting to build up. I work in the intelligent driving industry as a developer, and over the past few months, I’ve been studying a wide range of mathematical techniques — from data structures and algorithms, to curve planning, convex optimization, neural networks, and Transformers.Recently, I tried to step out of my comfort zone and look for a new job, but in this downward economic environment, that’s been really difficult. Although I’ve just received an offer from a well-known company, the salary unfortunately doesn’t meet my financial needs. So I’ve been wondering — in this era of AI, would becoming an indie hacker in my spare time be a good idea?

I'm in the midst of this now. I've been successful in real estate for 5 years. I hate it and am walking away (slowly) ... which is what brought me here. But I do finally feel excited again... like im on the right path..

If you’re trying to stay focused while working or studying, you should try Mixora — it’s a free focus web app where you can set timers (15, 25, or 50 mins), track streaks, and even create Spotify playlists based on your mood or favorite artists. 🎧
It also has relaxing background sounds like rain, café, or forest that you can customize.
Super simple, no signup needed → mixora . xyz

That's a great attempt. I also felt that the job I had for a while wasn't what I truly wanted, so I took a two-year break to pursue an MBA. After completing my studies, I joined a new company. Recently, I've also been working on my own product in my spare time. Over the past two years, I've developed three products, and this is my fourth one.

Loved this. The shift from “shoulds” to building-for-its-own-sake really resonates. I’m compiling tiny, crowd-ranked snapshots - a site called Rankiwiki - curious: what metric kept you grounded in month 1?

This leaps are necessary, scary initially but hoping you pull through and bigger. On days you feel low, remember why you started this path! Don't take defeat, don't take NOs, forge on till you accomplish that which you want

I get this. I'm in the thick of it right now... I know nothing of tech, and am the in-between generation where new tech feels like a time-suck and a burden rather than a way to streamline processes. Yet, here I am launching an AI company. Scared out of my mind is an understatement. But really - what do I have to fear? Absolutely nothing. If I fail, I learn. Today's lesson is to be intentional with every moment.
I've been going through life just letting things happen as they will. What do I have to show for it? Nada. How would things change if I had real expectations of every aspect of my day and every "to do" - and I were working toward a specific and measurable outcome for every single thing? I bet things would change. But how do I implement this? I HAVE NO IDEA?! Who can help me? I'd love to hear from you. jana@invisiaai. com

Great read! I can totally relate to this. Sometimes we push ourselves too far before realizing it’s time for a change. Just like in tech, you can try to fix issues yourself, but often it’s smarter to hire a pro for computer repair instead of burning hours on trial and error. Having the right support not only saves time but also gives peace of mind — so you can focus on building what really matters.

Took that leap of faith few months ago after spending a couple of years building my agency on evenings and weekends, congrats!

Tools like Lovable have made this transition so much simpler. What might have been daunting to some thinking about how to launch their app idea can now be accomplished in a couple of hours for less than $100, including domains and Supabase backend.

Tools like that have literally changed the landscape and made people thinking of taking that jump empowered to give it try

corporate adrenaline is like being strapped to the rocket while you’re the heat shield. respect for choosing oxygen over optics. building looks good on you

why i cant post my url when ever o tryin.

I'm curious, how long do you think building ShareSkippy would take if you worked on it 3 hours a day after your day job? Do you think it’d even be possible, or was full-time focus essential for you? Also, how much money does the project generate?

Good for you! Well done for taking the leap 💪🏻

Wow, this really hit home. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

Man, I can't tell you how much I resonate with what you said, I am in a job where I am just building a bullshit product for people that aren't even passionate about building or using it.

Wort thing is that I am working with a micromanager who has no ideea how unprepared he is.

I started building as a sideproject, looking to fully transition to this in the next year.

I guess I still need to feel a little security, while building.

Hi everyone,

I’m exploring different benchtop multimeters for electronics and lab work. I found this helpful guide that compares some of the best options:

I’d like to hear your thoughts:

Awesome, I'm looking to do something similar. Small wins: a founder used a single prompt from our kit and booked 2 calls in 48h. If anyone wants the prompt + output, reply “preview” and I’ll share an example.

Thank you for sharing this inspiring post. I left the 'safety' of work 5 years ago, and I have learned to embrace the uncertainty. It was always there to begin with. ' Should' was the first word I had eliminated, as it felt like it was only associated with shame. Keep up the good work.

wow, this got me thinking a lot.

Lately I’ve been wondering what would happen if I quit my 9–5 and focused 100% on building SaaS or solo projects. I’m still pretty early in the journey, but the idea is stuck in my head.

Freedom must feel amazing, but the thought of leaving that "safe zone", where you get paid every 30th of the month, is also scary.

But here's the thing: Im almost sure that if I didnt have the security "net", Id push myself 10x harder in everything. That kind of pressure, knowing it all depends on me, would be terrifying… but maybe also one of the best and enriching experiences of my life.

Thanks for sharing your story, it really made me reflect on something I’ve been quietly dreaming (or fearing?) for a long time

Kaia, this really struck me - especially your insight about building because you "can't not." I went through a similar leap when I decided to build my loyalty card app. Started with zero coding experience and that same late-night energy you describe - thinking a "quick fix" would take 10 minutes, then suddenly it's 3am and you're still debugging, but somehow loving it.

What resonated most was your point about not caring if ShareSkippy is the "best business model." When I launched my loyalty card app, everyone questioned the market size too. But focusing on solving a real problem (helping people organize their loyalty cards digitally) rather than chasing the biggest market led to 55k+ downloads. The passion for building and genuinely helping users always shows through.

Your app connecting dog owners with dog lovers sounds like it fills a genuine need. Have you considered starting with a simple MVP in just one neighborhood? That's how I validated my loyalty card idea - started hyperlocal, gathered feedback, then expanded. The beauty of building from passion rather than "shoulds" is that users can feel that authenticity.

Keep building - that energy you found at 3am debugging is pure gold. 🚀

I love this "indie hacker just means building because I can’t not". I have just walked away from a very highly-paid contract to give my full focus to my own projects. An app, a SaaS platform and an album. They are not connected :-)

Leaving the "safe" zone is very brave and it's important to max your potential and not give up too early. Commitment & discipline are the hardest parts.

This is an incredible story - truly inspiring. I'm a recent grad out of college and feel this way often. I worked all my life to land a good-paying SWE job, only to feel more disconnected than before. Yet to find the courage to quit my job, but have begun enjoying building apps in my time.

Sometimes leaving “safe” isn’t reckless—it’s the only way to actually breathe and start building a life that’s yours.

This post really resonates. I walked away from the ‘safe’ path because I couldn’t ignore the problem anymore. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, we’ve faced decades of economic sabotage and environmental degradation from crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. These are not just overlooked crises they’re challenges that persist because of a lack of political will and the failure of institutions meant to protect both people and resources. yet communities live with the consequences daily.

That’s why I’m building White Waters Sentinel Systems (W2S2) a civic tech platform that empowers local communities to report pipeline incidents through voice alerts, structured reports, and a chatbot interface we call Kemi. These voice alerts from community locals are geo-tagged, mapped in real time, and sent directly to international oil companies (IOCs), local oil firms, and security agencies. We’ve already profiled flashpoints across the region, so the system can trigger early warnings and track response patterns.

Each stakeholder receives first-hand reports directly from the community or through system-generated signals, ensuring faster response and accountability.

It’s a very lonely road at the beginning, leaving your comfort zone to chase something uncertain. But the risk is worth it. In Africa especially Nigeria, where I come from we have so many urgent problems to solve. I’m keen on taking them one by one, starting with this.

So Kaia, thank you again for this inspiring post. It’s a real moral booster.

Your story hit me hard. I’m trying to run a small store but the revenue is very low, and I often feel like I’m stuck in that fog you described. Seeing how you chose freedom and found energy in building makes me think I should hold on too, even if results aren’t clear yet. Thanks for sharing something so real.

Kaia, this was powerful. Leaving without a plan, finding clarity in the chaos, and building Share Skippy from scratch—that’s founder fire. I’m building White Waters Sentinel, a civic tech platform for pipeline security in Nigeria. Bootstrapped, live, and mission-driven. It was born out of frustration—watching communities face sabotage, theft, and silence. W2S2 helps frontline voices report, respond, and protect what matters. It’s about turning urgency into infrastructure. Your story reminds me that sometimes the most important pivot isn’t in business—it’s in choosing freedom

Loved reading this, Kaia. It’s amazing how leaving something ‘safe’ can actually bring more clarity, health, and energy than sticking with it. The way you describe the shift — from nightmares to good dreams — really hit home. Thanks for sharing so openly

I started sleeping again. Not just longer, but better. No more nightmares.

Can't agree more. I had quit my 10-years job becoming a IndieHacker to build what I want to build instead of building things I don't interest in just for money.

Changes of my life:

After quit my job I token a 5-days cruise ship to Japan that is awesome.

Sleep better instead of struggle to unfinished and endless boring tasks.

I am full with energy to build things I want to build and I enjoy it.

I needed to read this today! Loved the story.

This really resonated with me. It’s wild how often we normalize stress and burnout until something inside us finally says “enough.” Leaving the “safe” path without a plan is scary, but the freedom and clarity you describe are so real — sometimes you don’t realize how heavy the weight was until it’s gone.

I love that you’re building for the sake of building, not just chasing a market. That kind of energy usually leads to the best projects anyway. ShareSkippy sounds like a fun and useful idea, and even if it doesn’t become “the” business, the skills and joy you’re gaining from it are invaluable.

I’ve been in a similar spot — walking away felt terrifying, but it ended up being the best reset I could have asked for. Thanks for sharing this so openly.

That's a nice story, really, and i've felt that before after quitting my job, but honestly, unless you live in a first world country where you can afford to be unemployed for a while it's not really doable, simply because you need money to survive.

My plan is to keep my job, meanwhile improve and search for a job that will give me more freedom and time and then dedicate time for my personal projects. Hopefully in the near future at least one of them will start making some money enough for me to survive month to month.

Hello

Good for you! I left my job 3 years ago and felt that same fear and sense of freedom at the same time. I've been bouncing around trying to make it as an entrepreneur. I found that a job gave me structure and when I left, I had no structure. I felt lost and undisciplined. I guess I had become or was becoming institutionalized. It's taking me a minute to de-program and make my own structure and finally start making some progress.

Its great to read this

Wow very brave move! You need to start somewhere, keep going 💪

Thanks for sharing. I'm planning such things

The feelings you describe is like reliving my own. I told myself stress was a good thing. It gave me adrenaline. Earlier deadlines? Absolutely. More tasks? I can handle it. Another client? Of course!

I did this for many years. Until I couldn’t stand the thought of opening my laptop anymore. I felt physically and mentally sick.

I was burned out, and I tried to shake it by taking a week off, it didn’t work. Another month went by, no change.

4 months later I knew I had to make real changes, that just taking a break wasn’t the answer. This is when I left security behind and decided to spread my wings and fly or die trying. And it’s been the best work related decision I’ve ever made.

I found that making more money doesn’t mean more happiness. That easier living isn’t better living.

Doing what you like doing, independently is a freedom not many will ever experience.

I’m glad you, and others indies here, are experiencing this, and I encourage others that are mentally debating this to take the plunge.

It’s scary, and you could fail. But the lessons you learn along the way are lessons you’d never learn otherwise!

So relatable. I also left my job last year because I have many skills like SEO, design, and development, but any job here can only pay for one skill. I kept getting tons of ideas on how to make systems more efficient, but my colleagues and managers always hated it and never allowed any ideas to be executed. So I left, and now I can build whatever I want. I’m building my first SaaS, ReplyGain.com, learning everything on the go.

This really resonates with me,,I'm 19 and just launched my first SaaS, so I'm also stepping out of my "Safe Zone" Reading your experience makes me feel like I'm not alone in this

best

This was such an honest, grounded read, Kaia—thank you for sharing the parts most people hide. The line that stayed with me wasn’t just leaving the “safe” job; it was feeling free four hours later. That’s the kind of signal you can’t fake. The sledding dream felt like your nervous system finally exhaling.

A few reflections that might be useful as you build ShareSkippy:

• Indie hacking as a posture, not a plan. You captured it perfectly: building because you can’t not. That said, a simple posture + guardrails combo can protect the freedom you just chose. Two practical guardrails I use: a “stop-doing list” (what I’ll drop the moment stress creeps back) and a weekly “energy audit” (what gave energy vs. drained it).

• 90-day tiny bet. Keep the passion; shrink the proof. Define a win as something like: 100 happy households in one city with a 60% repeat rate. If you hit it, you’ve validated behavior and trust—more valuable than any deck.

• Trust is the product. Because it’s pets, users will care less about features and more about safety and reliability. Early, lightweight moves: ID verification, references from both sides, transparent availability, and a “first exchange” protocol (public handoff location, emergency contact, simple coverage policy). You don’t need enterprise insurance on day one, but you do need visible trust scaffolding.

• Market learning > code. Ship one thing each week that teaches you something non-obvious (e.g., a concierge matching flow via a form + SMS). If it works manually, then automate.

• Meaning even if it’s small. A good north star: Would I keep running this if it only paid for itself for six months? If yes, you’re building from want, not should.

Cheering you on for choosing agency over anxiety. Curious: for Month 2, what’s your single metric that would make you proud regardless of revenue—retention, NPS, or successful matches per city?

— Akshay (Techinfigo)

This really resonated with me. Thank you for being so open about your journey—it takes courage to step away without a plan, and even more to share the raw side of it. The way you describe the fog lifting after leaving is powerful, and I think a lot of people in high-stress jobs will see themselves in your story.

Amazing! I am not at that level of courage yet, but will surely get there. Congrats

HOW I RECOVER $850 FROM FAKE INVESTMENT BROKERS ONLINE

I'm grateful to THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT for helping me recover my stolen Bitcoin. After losing funds to a fake platform, I felt hopeless. I am deeply grateful for their support. If you have fallen victim to a Bitcoin scam or any other form of cryptocurrency fraud, don't give up. Reach out. THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT Contact:

WhatsApp (+1(520)200-2320

If you're in London, you can even visit them in person at their office located at 45-46 Red Lion Street, London WC1R 4PF, UK.

Awesome, I'm looking to do something similar. Small wins: a founder used a single prompt from our kit and booked 2 calls in 48h. If anyone wants the prompt + output, reply “preview” and I’ll share an example.