“When you’re free, your true creativity, your true self, comes out.” 🥰 ~Tina Turner

Time for a little break...⏸️ (#328)

“If you are unhappy with anything...whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free,
your true creativity, your true self, comes out.” ~Tina Turner

This past week has been A LOT.

It’s one of those weeks where you know all the changes and growth happening are all for the better. But you must deal with the messy middle, brain explodey, limbo space.

And during times like these, it’s hard to step away from all of the action because you might miss something, be needed, or have tons to catch up on when you come back.

But these are the moments, friend.

There is a saying that the best time to take a break is when you feel like you can’t.

It’s really true.

During this past week, my breaks looked like: 

• Going to a drag queen show with my dance friends. So. Much. Fun.

• Getting off the computer at 7 pm a couple of nights (I still lurked on my phone, but baby steps, yeah?)

• Taking an actual lunch break to have grilled cheese and reminding myself to eat slowly.

• Resetting expectations and communicating with clients and folks who needed responses.

• Finding reasons to smile even when I didn’t feel that great.

  

  “Keep smiling. It looks beautiful on you.” ~Demi Lovato

Those self-care activities and pauses went a long way in helping me get through to Friday.

Sometimes I forget that I am juggling a lot and may need time and space to figure out a new rhythm for everything.

One of the things I tell my clients is if they start a new job while juggling their business, it’s OK to slow down so that they can get ramped up in their new role.

I realize I need to follow my own advice.

So I’ll be pausing this newsletter for the month of June.

Our clients and our families and our jobs and our commitments need us. But they need us at our best.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or if this resonates, use this as a permission slip to step away (even for a little while), recharge, and perhaps gain clarity. 💖

The best time to take a break is when you feel like you can’t.

Be back in July. ✌🏾

On to the picks!

P.S. If you need some tips and inspiration in the meantime, check out the #jesspicks archive or join me on Instagram.

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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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#loves 😍

• 🎧. Listening: How to juggle business, family, and kids. This is next up in my podcast queue. I’m especially curious about how Denise automates her marketing and revenue-making activities. And seeing what tips she has for simplifying things at home and work/biz.

• 📺. Watching: The Night Agent. My friend Shenee and I have been watching this show for the past 6-8 weeks, and it’s our favorite watch together so far. Every episode was jam-packed with action. Such a good story. Government conspiracies and the whole shebang. We trust no one except Peter and Rose. Did you watch it? Let’s discuss!

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#reads

The Purpose of Your Life Is to Choose a Lifestyle

An oldie but goodie. You get to design your life in a way that works for you.

“Lifestyle design can be as simple as writing down how you want to earn a living, what your hobbies will be, how you’ll spend your money, who you will spend your time with, what you will believe, how you will act, where you will live, and how much time you dedicate towards your family.”

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It’s OK If You Grow Your Audience Slowly

I haven’t read this whole post yet, but the headline makes me love it. I appreciate this perspective as someone who has built their email list slowly. Hustle culture isn’t for everyone. Slow moves are still moves. 😉

“The money I’m making from this is exactly enough,” she said. “It’s enough to justify the time I put into it, and I’m completely happy with it. And because it’s not my primary job, it’s all upside.”

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#icymi

• 😍. Last issue’s top pick was: SaneBox

• 💬. Side Hustle Convos: Learn from others who have started successful businesses and are juggling it with their day jobs.

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#classifieds 🗞

• Unlock the full potential of your small business with a skilled Squarespace web designer. Create a captivating website + awesome online shop with Wendy!
  

• Want to earn money promoting other newsletters and potentially pay to build your newsletter subscriber base? Join the SparkLoop Partner Network.
  

• My newsletter mentor, Josh Spector, created the For the Interested newsletter Learn how to produce, promote, and profit from your creations based on how others have done it.

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#lifevibes

Rest well, Queen. 💖

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#supporters ☕️

Thank you, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, 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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