“This is life before you know who you’re gonna be.” 💫 ~Taylor Swift
you’re not behind, you’re becoming… (#417)
I was scrolling LinkedIn the other night and — whew. I felt triggered.
Post after post was pushing the same narrative:
💬 “If you’re not going full-time, you’re not serious.”
💬 “You’ve gotta quit your job to be all in.”
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
It’s 2025, and we’re still doing this either/or thing?
My inner Generator felt VERY called to respond. So I did. And I thought it might resonate with you too.
💌 An open letter to side hustlers doing it differently
To the ones building a business and keeping your day job...
I see you.
You’re not confused.
You’re not playing small.
You’re not less committed.
Maybe you’re caregiving. Or parenting.
Maybe you’re working a demanding job.
Maybe you’re exhausted, and the best you can manage is 15 minutes a day.
You’ve still got big ideas.
You still want to build something that’s yours.
You just don’t want to burn out trying to do it.
You’re building in a way that fits your life. Right now.
Maybe that looks like:
→ 15 minutes a day
→ A tiny habit you come back to
→ Slow and steady progress that feels good
That’s how I’m building too.
I have a job I love. I’m a caregiver. And I’m growing a business — in small, sustainable ways that work for me. Because I have a life too.
I'm helping other side hustlers do the same, without the pressure, without the #teamnosleep energy, and without trying to do all the things at once.
If you’re also building slow and steady, welcome.
You’re not behind. You’re right on time.
If this is your story too, I’d love to hear it. Just hit reply and tell me how you’re navigating it, even a one-liner is welcome.
And if you know a fellow side hustler who needs this reminder? Feel free to forward this their way.
On to the picks!
P.S. I’m working on something new called Take 15, a guide (or maybe a toolkit?) to help you meaningful progress on your side hustle in just 15 minutes a day. I’ll be creating it LIVE in June, and if you join by May 31st, you’ll get early access for just $15 (half off!). 👉🏾 Get in early here
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 💬
Every week this quarter, I’m posting a new thread over on Substack Chat. I’m curious if this might be a chill way to build community.
So far? It’s been feeling pretty good. 💖. But sometimes I struggle with good questions to kick things off. So for the second half of the quarter, I’m opening it up even more:
You can now start your own chat threads too. 🎉
Here are a few ways you might use it:
Share a tiny win from your side hustle this week
Recommend a tool, book, or resource you’re loving
Ask a question or get feedback on something you’re working on
Let’s keep it kind, supportive, and low-key. Think of this space like a cozy group text - a place to swap ideas, share wins, or just say hey.
(With great power comes great group text etiquette. 😉)
Join this week’s convo:
#picks 😍
🌿. Can you really get more done by slowing down? Grace talks about the slow work movement (inspired by the Danish concept of hygge) and shows how cozying up your workspace, taking real breaks, and focusing on tasks over goals can actually boost creativity and productivity. It’s a wonderful reminder for anyone balancing work, life, and a side hustle: building slow is still building.
📺. Lost Girl. I’ve started rewatching this Canadian show about a succubus (yes really 😂) who refuses to choose between the light and dark factions of her world, and decides to make her own way instead. Sound familiar…? 😉 I was a huge fan when it was on in the 2010s and never finished it, so right now it’s my go-to “good versus evil with sexy vibes” escape. If you’re into supernatural drama too … this one’s a fun ride.
🎁. gifts to our future self. I love this idea of doing things now to make our future selves’ lives easier.
“A gift for your future self is something you do today that makes your life easier, or better, at some point in the future. It is something that our present self does, with our future self in mind.”
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: Manage Your To-Do List with Todoist
#classifieds 🗞
9️⃣. It’s a $9 course… about $9 offers. Meta? Yes. Useful? Very. If you’ve got a few products already and want a new low-stress strategy, this one’s great.
🎙️. Side hustle tip: Use Voicenotes to brain dump out loud. It transcribes as you speak so you can come back later and organize it all.
📧. Weekly email templates + simple strategy to help you write with ease (and hit send every week). Just $9/month. Make email work for you.
(like these ads? get yours here)
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
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