“The whole wide world has gone crazy so… why don’t we just dance?” 💃🏽 ~Josh Turner
What if the breakthrough isn’t in your planner… but in your playlist? (#426)
Facebook reminded me that six years ago this week, I did something unexpected: I walked into a dance class.
Not Zumba (I’d tried that once and barely made it 10 minutes 😅), but a class called BeMoved: all about joyful movement, honoring your body as it is, and dancing into your 80s and beyond.
I was a little nervous. A little unsure. But mostly excited.
Just a few months earlier, I’d performed on stage for the first time as an adult through Saya, Mac & Cheese Productions’ Fear Experiment (think adult recital): learning choreography, rehearsing in heels, and dancing in front of a crowd at Park West in heels with a racing heart and shaky hands.
Easily one of the top 5 moments of my life. That experience lit something up in me.
And I knew I wanted more.
So I said yes to Bemoved. And that, yes, has become one of my biggest self-care anchors.
Every Monday, I show up for class. Not for grandma. Not for productivity. Not for the algorithm.
Not even for the exercise of it all.
Just for me.
For joy. For the way it makes me feel like me again.
(Fun fact: this week’s quote is inspired by a song played in our most recent class, thanks, Jennifer!)
D is for Dance 💃🏽✨
(And letting yourself move in new ways)
Here’s what I used to think about dance:
It’s only for people with natural rhythm (surely as a Black girl I should have it right? Yeah… I really don’t 🙊)
You have to be “good” at it to enjoy it
It's too late to start something new
Here’s what I know now:
Your body already knows how to move - you just need to let it do its thing
Dancing is about feeling, not performing
It’s never too late to try something that brings you joy
As side hustlers, we spend so much time in our heads: thinking, planning, tweaking, overthinking (just me?).
But sometimes, the best thing you can do for your business is to move your body.
Shake it off. Dance it out.
Let yourself be a beginner again.
A few things my Bemoved teacher says in class all the time:
This is a no-judgment zone. Try not to judge yourself or others.
This is about having fun.
If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it.
Dancer’s choice.
Movement is medicine. For your body and your soul.
You don’t need a studio or choreography. Just a song that moves you and three minutes of letting go.
What’s your version of dance?
The thing that brings you back to your body, your joy, your self?
Maybe it’s:
Dancing in the kitchen while your coffee breaks (this Ed Sheeran song has some fun “move your hips” energy)
Taking a walk around the block between meetings
Doing a few stretches while brainstorming your next offer
Whatever it is, find it, keep it, and protect that time for yourself.
Because this work we’re doing?
It’s not just about building a living. It’s about building a life, too.
—
💬 What's one way you could add more movement (or joy) to your side hustle routine? I'd love to hear what makes you feel most alive.
On to the picks!
P.S. Check out my playlist and try a little shoulder shimmy while you read the rest of this issue. (Dancer’s choice, of course. 😉)
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#sidechat 💬
#picks 😍
More joy, more movement, and maybe a few liars…
💃🏾. Want to dance, but wish someone would just tell you what to do? (Same.) If you want to get moving at home, here are some fun, beginner-friendly options:
🎶 Body Groove: Low-impact, judgment-free movement that feels more like permission than a workout. Great for easy days.
💁🏽♂️ The Fitness Marshall. Cardio dance + comedy = yes please. His facial expressions alone are worth it. Try this one or this one when you need a mood boost.
🔥 emkFit: If you like dance + HIIT, or want a blend of kickboxing, pilates, and bops, this one’s for you. I just did this one and want to try this one next.
📚. Unintentionally on a liar streak over here…
📖 We Were Liars: A rich family, beachy mystery with a twist I’m still thinking about. A girl wakes up one night half-naked, half-drowned, and is looking for answers about what happened. Good mystery indeed. I read it before watching the series, and now I’m into the prequel.
📖 None of This Is True: A tense, twisty ride that starts with a (fake!) podcast. You can even listen to a few episodes before diving into the book.
🏋🏾♀️. 40 Pounds, 40 Lessons, & 17 Months... Honest. Vulnerable. Life-giving. This piece isn’t just about fitness, it’s about choosing yourself in small, powerful ways. Reclaiming joy. Coming home to yourself.
Sometimes, joy looked like dancing around the house while I was home alone and cleaning up. Or laughing mid-workout when I wanted to quit and cuss out my Peloton instructors. There were times when joy looked like sitting in silence with my tea or letting myself cry without shame.
This season has taught me that my joy isn’t a destination after the work—it’s part of the work.
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: 8 Permission Slips for Adults (that you didn’t know you needed).
🎤. ASK: I’d love to book 2 more paid speaking gigs this year. If you know of any events, panels, podcasts, or conferences looking for speakers, I’d be so grateful if you’d pass my name along. I love talking about side hustles and newsletters, but I’d also be excited to craft an inspirational talk, too.
🤩. Feeling overwhelmed or stuck? Need some clarity? I gotchu. Grab a pep talk!
#classifieds 🗞
💸 You’re the CFO of your life. This free newsletter offers smart, supportive money tips made for women, by women. One click could change how you feel about your finances.
📬 This free pop-up training is only open ‘til 7/25. Learn how to build your list with a $9 offer (plus a few smart tweaks). Use code YAYLIST to get in before it’s gone.
(Related: if you need help creating a $9 offer, grab this course)💅 Got a low-ticket offer that’s not selling? This $77 Get It Done Week helps you zhuzh it up and get more clicks - no full redo required.
(like these? let’s partner up!)
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Kelly, Melinda, Tawanna, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Hmza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keyn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K., Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
Absolutely loved this 💛 Your words about freely letting yourself move without needing to be “natural” or “good enough”, hit home. I’ve spent too long waiting for the “right moment” or a clear sense of permission to just dance (even if it’s just in my kitchen, wearing mismatched socks). It’s such a refreshing reminder that joy doesn’t need an invite, it can show up in the tiny, messy, everyday moments. ❤️