"You are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still and rest." 💆🏾♀️~Morgan Harper Nichols
This week the overwhelm monster hit me in a big way. I think it hit my MacBook too because at one point, no buttons worked. And that is probably why I had to shut it down.
When was the last time I had done that? No clue. Does anyone else just close their MacBook when they are done with their day, effectively putting it in sleep mode? 🙋🏾♀️But you can only do that so many times, before it needs a reboot. Or just a plain ol' shutdown.
People are like that too. Sure we can keep going with the best of them. And I pride myself on my ability to be positive and resilient but mid-way through the week, I was ready for a tequila shot before noon. Because it was all getting to be too much. Work, side hustle stuff, grandma, pandemic, impostor'y thoughts, all the things on my plate, ALL THE THINGS. 😱
When I was about ready to scream, I took a beat and thought about what I would tell a friend/client if they came to me with this problem. I'd tell them to give themselves a grace break. For me, that looked like hiding in the bathroom and sobbing for a good five minutes. And I wasn't immediately cured but I felt a little better, a little lighter. Felt like I had a little less pressure. Sometimes crying is therapy.
Feeling a little clearer, I started to make a list of all the things that were in my head (a brain dump if you will). And then started to break it down into baby steps, more manageable pieces. I figured out the top three things I wanted to work on that day and cranked up the music and started working - one thing at a time. That was Wednesday.
Am I better now? Who the heck knows. In the midst of everything, there is a pandemic and the country is reopening which is a scary/awesome mix and that's always there in the back of my mind. Even though I may not be consciously thinking about it.
But all I can do is focus on what I can control. And do one thing at a time. And remind myself (and my inner perfectionist) that done is better than perfect.
Shutting down if you need to is OK. And so is the occasional tequila shot.🍸
On to the picks!
P.S. Sometimes it's the little things that make you smile --> Hamilton movie with the original cast is coming to Disney+ on 7/3!
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase that means I may receive "thank you money" at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#loves 😍
📺 Watching: Dead to Me. I re-binged (is that word?) Season 1 and almost done with Season 2. So topsy-turvy, kinda dark but funny and good!
🎧 Listening: Side Hustla! I made a playlist for my fellow side hustlin' peeps. Give it a listen and follow!
📚 Reading: Presence. This is a book I've tried to read twice before and only got a few chapters in. I'm trying it again. Maybe the third time's a charm? And this quote already had me like 😳: "Sometimes you have to get out of the way of yourself so you can be yourself."
🏋🏾♂️ App: Workout for Women: Fitness App. I may have gained a few pounds while being at home but I also realized this week that sometimes when my mind is overwhelmed, it's really helpful for me to move my body. I enjoy these short workouts and just started the "Intro to Fitness" program. Highly recommend. The music and instructions are great. And you can do a lot in 7 minutes.
#sponsor: Buy Me a Coffee ☕️
I adore Buy Me a Coffee as a way to get monetary support for your creations. And I've convinced a few other people of its awesomeness as well. It's super easy to set up a page, takes less than 10 minutes. Here’s my page if you want to take a peek.
#reads
How to Become a Morning Person — forge.medium.com
I like how this post doesn't talk about waking up at 4:30am necessarily but making your mornings easier by doing six simple things:
Prepping for your mornings the night before
Getting a good night's sleep
Creating a pre-work ritual (love the idea of starting your work sesh with a song!)
Doing deep, focused work
Using "Seinfeld Strategy" to track your work (think a calendar filled with Xs)
Rewarding yourself for your productive morning
100 Things To Publish In The Next 100 Days To Grow Your Audience — medium.com
Josh Spector strikes again! He gives us a framework for what we can do in 10 day sprints, 10 sprints in a row to write, share, and curate content. I think this would be a great thing for me to focus on this summer. Does anyone want to do a 100-day challenge with me starting in July?
Google Chrome will finally help you organize your tabs — techcrunch.com
Google Chrome is launching "tab groups" and I feel so seen right now. Maybe it'll help me better organize the 15 tabs I have open while I write this newsletter. 🤞🏾
#upcoming
I have been spending some time this week thinking about my audience and the problem I solve. And feeling really stuck. A LinkedIn message with a person saying, "I'm super interested in learning more about how you help women with their side hustles. I would like to have one but honestly don't know where to start."
This workshop and everything I do is for you!! You are my people! I solve the overwhelm problem for new and aspiring side hustlers. There is still time to join us on Wednesday! Bring all your questions and challenges and let's show you that you can side hustle. 😉
#icymi
😍 Last issue’s most clicked pick was: 68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you Mea, Kristian, Maria, Avery, Adam, Monale, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L'Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️ Want to help support this newsletter? Buy me a coffee.
