“Your mess will be your message. And it will free others to live their truth.” 💖~Trey Anthony
Shout out to Kimberly Lowe-Williams for buying me coffees this past week! ☕️
Kim is the CEO and Executive Director of The Difference Engine, a web development apprentice program that empowers those who do not have the typical background to launch new careers in the tech field. She recently wrote an incredibly vulnerable and transparent article about being a black woman in the tech community.
--
Last week, I dealt with some severe writer's block, and because of that, I had no idea what to write in this section. But after some encouragement to lean into it and be honest, it turned out really great.
It can be hard to be “on” all the time, and I am so glad you and I have created this space where we can be honest in those moments when we're not. I think that block was a symptom of feeling stressed and a little tired. The day job/caregiver/side hustler balancing act is not easy. 🤹🏾♀️And sometimes balls will drop and that's OK.
I read something the other day that said,
“My mental health really changed when I stopped asking myself, “why am I so lazy?” and started asking, “why does my body need so much rest right now?”
I sent it to my self-care coach, and we were both like 🤯, “DANG, we feel attacked.” We are often our harshest critics, and sometimes we need to dig deeper into what we need in that moment.
We may need to pause. We may need to play. We may need to call a friend. We may need to go for a walk. We may need to go into our blanket forts and hide from the world for a bit.
As side hustlers, we are already juggling at least two things. And that doesn't even factor in all of the other commitments in our lives. Throw in Mercury Retrograde and the pandemic blues, and all bets are off. What ball might need to drop today? What might you need?
In the moments where you feel tired, stressed, or blocked, hug yourself, take a deep breath, and remember that tomorrow is another day.
Give yourself grace. Grace today. Grace tomorrow. Grace always. 🤗
On to the picks!
P.S. If you’ve ever been curious about some of the things I carry in my backpack, check this out—hint: one of them is CBD water because of everything I just mentioned.
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.
#sponsor
Better Sheets teaches you Google Sheets. Solve real-world problems. Learn to build tools in Google Sheets instead of buying them. Don't make another sheet. Make a better sheet.
#loves 😍
🖊 Course: 100-Word Writing Habit. David Kadavy is running a free email course in March to build your writing habit in 21 days. I love the 100-word a day approach—all the baby step vibes.
📚 Reading: Black Girl in Love (with Herself): A Guide to Self-Love, Healing, and Creating the Life You Truly Deserve. I ran across an article featuring Trey Anthony and liked her immediately. I appreciate how she talks about self-care looking very different for black women because of this “strong black woman” culture. And therapy is often stigmatized in the black community. I’m two chapters in and nodding so much I might as well be a bobblehead.
📺 Watching: Totally Fixed Where We Are. This fantastic parody of Total Eclipse of the Heart is all of us on lockdown right now.
#reads
No, There Aren’t Too Many Newsletters — Here’s Why You Should Start One
“Every writer has something a little different to offer, and there are billions of readers out there who might be drawn to what only you can offer. And when writers reach readers, great things can happen.”
I found this gem in Kat Boogaard's newsletter.
The term "newsletter fatigue" has been thrown around quite a bit lately since many folks are starting newsletters. Please don't let that stop you from starting your own. Britany Robinson lists six reasons to start your newsletter:
It's easy to get started
It forces you to write regularly
Your newsletter is a home for your voice
You'll build credibility
Nobody can take your newsletter away
You can monetize it, but you don't have to
It's all true, too. #jesspicks has helped me become a better writer, develop my voice, and help others see me as a resource for side hustlers.
The One Question To Answer To Get More Twitter Followers — joshspector.com
I have been dedicating a little more time to Twitter over the past few weeks, and I kind of like it. It's a great way to connect with cool people, like a digital networking party. But a fun one!
Josh Spector has gone pretty much all in on Twitter lately and had great success from it, so he knows what's up.
“You don’t need a Twitter “hack” to grow your following.
You need a clear answer to a single question:
Why should someone follow you?
That question seems simple, but I bet you struggle to answer it because most people do.”
Definitely plan to give this one food for thought because my bio is in desperate need of an update. 🙈
You on Twitter? Let's chat!
#icymi
😍 Last issue’s top pick was: 50 lessons learned from writing 50 newsletters.
🎧 Chatted about creating a curated newsletter with Tara McMullin.
#classifieds 🗞
WorkLife Edit is a new weekly newsletter about continuous growth, doing good work, and living well. Get insights at the intersection of work, life, and tech.
Subscribe to Fitpicks, a weekly newsletter of online health and fitness tips, resources & inspiration for women over 50. Curated with love & care, Fitpicks.
Get To Traction is a weekly newsletter specifically for first time founders, early stage startups, and those grinding to land their first users.
Have something you’d like to promote to #jesspicks readers? You can buy an ad here.
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you 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, 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.
