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Life as a freelancer....officially!
After several years at a graphic design agency, I decided it was time to go my own way and pursue my dream of being a "full time artist". My first official day of being a freelancer was Jan. 2nd. It's been a week, and I am feeling really good. Granted, part of that is because the transition was easy, due to some already started freelance projects. I'm just about halfway done with one of the big ones, a huge backdrop for a school play. Once that is over though.....I think it's when it will really hit me that I won't have any paychecks "on the way", and I have to start sniffing out the freelance jobs. I really pray that this works out and I couldn't be luckier to have an extremely supportive husband, mother, and friends who all are rooting for me. Still, I catch myself worrying about the future. Artists don't typically have a 401K, or retirement benefits waiting around for them...unless they are super good with money.
Anyway, I just wanted to share this, and to say to those of you in jobs you do not like, that it's never too late to take a chance and just go for what you truly love. Life is short, and it's not worth it to be miserable! (Of course, this can be out of our hands sometimes, I mean for those who lost their jobs, or have to stay at jobs they hate to support family, I get it for sure.) But if it IS in your power to make that move, really, don't let fear stop you. Just be brave and go for it! 
Re: Life as a freelancer....officially!
I'm also a designer, but I hated freelance and working for myself. You definitely need a lot of self-motivation to be successful at it!
Best of luck!
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Congratulations!
I have always been interested in graphic design but don't know where to start. Any advice on post-grad options? Thanks and sorry to threadjack!
No need for apologies at all!
The best advice I can give is to start out freelancing on the side, and working on personal projects after work. (this is assuming that you're working right now someplace?) I did freelance for about 4 years before feeling confident enough to make the leap to full time freelance. It took a while to get some steady clients. I only have a few right now, but I feel that word of mouth is super helpful, as well as promoting yourself via blogs, facebook, social media in general. It's nice because now I have old friends from high school and junior high pointing me to little jobs too.
But like I said, first step is to definitely make sure it's your passion, and you'll know because you will have the energy after work to stil work on your own stuff. If you start with that, and then get the feeling (like I did) where it's not enough, you want to do it more, more more, then it's the right decision to go full time with it! 