I've been full time for 20 years now - there have been fallow times, but I did whatever I was able to do - Van driving, kitchen fitters' labourer, I even did some COVID testing in schools.
Now my teaching is becoming more and more of my income, I find that I can cover pretty much the whole year.
Teaching wise, it's taken me a few years, but I found myself working with the child of a local music coordinator, which has opened many many doors for me.
My schedule is very nicely filled, with plenty of space available for teaching, learning, live and recording work.