Charles Esther
Tanveer Singh followed the conventional career path — graduating from college, completing an MBA, and landing a tech job.
Based in India, he worked in the same corporate role for four years, but over time, it became clear the routine wasn’t fulfilling.
Everything changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
Remote Work Sparked a New Beginning
When Tanveer’s office job went fully remote, it gave him a sense of freedom he had never experienced in his career.
The lack of office commutes and rigid schedules opened the door to something new — freelance writing.
He began taking on side gigs while still holding down his full-time role.
Early Freelance Gigs Paid Little — But Meant a Lot
His first gigs were ghostwriting projects he found through Facebook groups.
They paid only $0.01 per word and didn’t even offer bylines.
But Tanveer was hooked.
He loved the work, the flexibility, and the sense of ownership.
Within six months, he started picking up technical writing assignments that paid up to $0.10 per word.
In early 2021, he landed his first bylined article in a gaming publication, earning $18 per piece.
That visibility helped him get hired by a popular tech website, where he began contributing how-to articles for around $100 each.
The Return-to-Office Mandate Was the Final Push
By 2023, Tanveer had embraced the remote lifestyle and had even relocated to live with his partner.
So when his company announced a return-to-office (RTO) mandate, it forced him to reevaluate his priorities.
Though it felt risky, especially given the stability of his corporate paycheck, Tanveer decided to take the leap.
With his partner’s financial support, he resigned in January 2023 and went all-in on freelancing.
Steady Clients and Growing Income
After quitting, Tanveer landed a consistent role at a major tech publication as a PC hardware writer.
By the end of 2023, he was earning around $2,000 per month — nearly double what he used to make in his 9-to-5 job.
More importantly, he was working just 25 hours a week.
The flexibility allowed him to enjoy slower mornings, spend more time with his partner, play sports, indulge in PC gaming, and even take international trips with his family.
A Setback That Led to a Bigger Breakthrough
By mid-2024, Tanveer had built a solid freelance foundation, earning $3,000 a month.
But a sudden setback arrived — he lost one of his major clients.
Instead of panicking, he focused on the silver lining.
With more free time, he ramped up his writing for another tech publication.
That shift paid off.
By the end of 2024, his income had jumped to an average of $5,000 a month.
Choosing Passion Over Paychecks
Tanveer now realizes he waited too long to align his career with his passions — writing and technology.
He admits that what he craved all along wasn’t just money or promotions, but freedom.
A remote lifestyle gave him the space to be creative, flexible, and in control of his time.
He has no intention of returning to an office, even in a hybrid model.
And after everything he’s been through, he’s confident he made the right choice.
Conclusion
Tanveer Singh’s journey is a testament to the power of taking risks, trusting your passion, and redefining success.
For anyone feeling stuck in a job, his story proves that a side hustle today could be your dream career tomorrow.
