Here's my strategy:

   * decrease your expenses (or at least know them)
   * build up a cash cushion (I like a 6 month runway, including buying health ins if you need it)
   * moonlight (check your employment agreement) by asking folks you have worked with or met if they need help. LinkedIn is great (always ask if people know anyone who needs help, rather than "do you need help" as that is less awkward)
   * take the plunge when you feel like you have enough contacts

You can start building a name for yourself in a specific area by blogging or contributing to open source.

I wrote more about this here: https://letterstoanewdeveloper.com/2020/10/05/how-to-make-a-...

and here: https://www.mooreds.com/wordpress/archives/2190

HTH. My email is in my profile if you have specific qs.

The consulting bar is often lower than the hiring bar, and pays better provided it's an organic referral and not like Upwork. You get offers in a similar way to getting jobs - write clever things on blogs/social media, seem like you know what you're doing, do a little more work than expected. Often it's worth taking your first job at a loss because it'll spawn more referrals if done well enough.