“I just wanted you to know that this is me trying.” 🥹 ~Taylor Swift

If you’re easing back into things too… you’re not behind. (#416)

I’m sloooowly starting to feel like myself again after COVID, even though I’m currently rocking a sore throat too, because Chicago still can’t decide what season we’re in…😩

But little by little, my energy is starting to come back.

And it got me thinking...this slow return? This one-step-at-a-time pace?
This “I want to do more, but I can’t just yet” season?

You might be in it too.

Maybe you’ve been trying to work on your side hustle.
But your body (or your brain, or your schedule, or life in general) is like: “Not yet.”
So you pause. Then you try a little something. Then you pause again.
And that’s okay.

Because it might be exactly what you need right now.

If that sounds familiar, you might also be sitting with some of the same questions I hear quite a bit:

1. How do I make time for my side hustle when I barely have any?

2. I have so many ideas. How am I supposed to pick one and actually start?

3. How do I stay consistent when life keeps lifin’ (and throwing curveballs)?

If you’ve been wondering about any of those, or all three 🙋🏾‍♀️, it’s not just you.
That’s what this space is for.

As much as I am sharing and giving advice to you, I’m also talking to myself.

Tiny, doable steps. Gentle reminders. Permission to go slow.
Support when everything feels like too much.

So let’s do a thing 👇🏾

Hit reply and tell me which question is most real for you right now? 1, 2, or 3 — no overthinking.

I’ll send a little tip, tool, or pep talk your way. Something light. Something helpful.

We’ll figure it out together. 💖

On to the picks!

P.S. If you’re also easing back into things after being sick, burned out, or just tired, I get it. You’re not behind — you’re healing. And that counts, too.

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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.

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#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.

This week’s convo:

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#picks 😍

• ☑️. Manage Your To-Do List with Todoist. My gurl/speaking coach, Saya, wrote a super detailed post about how she uses Todoist to make life a little less overwhelming. Adulting can be A. LOT. and this is a good one.
  

• 🌀. The Most Powerful Asymmetries in Life. Sahil shares a bunch of tiny things you can do in your career, relationships, health, and money that can lead to big payoffs over time. Think baby steps with superpowers. 🦸🏽‍♀️ Two that I’ve been doing over the past week:

  • 5-minute journaling. I’m using the native Journal app on the iPhone to jot down: 1 win, 1 thing causing stress/anxiety, and 1 thing I’m grateful for.

  • 5-5-5-30 routine. 5 push-ups, 5 squats, 5 lunges (I like the curtsey ones!), and a 30-second plank in the morning.

  • Try 1 or 2 this week and see how it feels. Or save it to your Readwise Reader and come back when life gives you the space.
    

• 💌 Quiet readers matter. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by low engagement or silence, you’ll appreciate this note by

  Claudia Faith
  .

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#icymi

• 😍. Last issue’s top pick: Start your day on a strawberry: 15 microhabits for calmer, healthier mornings. (third week in a row!)

“It’s only in the darkness that she can discover the power of her own light.” 🤔 ~Bryan Anthony

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#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)

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#lifevibes

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#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!! ❤️

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