Moving from working for myself to being an employee

[elster]

I have worked for myself for the past 10 years and have never really worked for anyone.

I am an electrical contractor and was even self employed as an apprentice.

I do industrial electrics and have always done project work, mainly plant installation and work with PLCs.

This last year has been rather slow and even when reducing my rates there doesn't seem to be much work out there, I have been getting by by doing a bit of repair and maintenance work for existing clients. None of these are spending anything on capital expenditure and as such all projects are on hold until at least next year, if not longer.

I am still making enough to get by, topped up by doing a bit of domestic electrical work but the big thing is it is driving me insane. I don't like not working. My OH has commented on me doing something else as probably driving her up the wall. I'm not the kind of person who likes to get up in the morning and potter.

I have already started doing a bit of volunteer work, but realistically I am thinking maybe I need to go and work for someone.

Has anyone else taken the leap to becoming employed after working for yourself for a long period? What were your experiences?