Good clients are like good jobs, few and far between. Contracting is not the solution to bad jobs, a good job is the solution to a bad job.

If you can find good clients, contracting can be great, but bad clients can be a real drag: it’s easier to quit a job than it is to fire a client.

I’d recommend giving it a go, but don’t expect it to be better, just different. Personally, on balance, I prefer it and don’t plan to go back to full time… but it’s often just as defeating.

(Regarding how easy it is, it’s very easy, anybody who can get a full time job can do contracting, software engineering contracting is in high demand, always.)