There are a ton of names out there for it; side hustle, plan b, or a part-time gig are popular right now. Not everyone has one but, I am sure you know someone who does, right? It began disguised as a way to stop working outside the home and an opportunity to be more hands on with raising my son. It eventually became a backup plan when life made an unexpected turn. Somewhere in the midst of it I thought maybe I would gain financial freedom to pay off my student loans and buy a house.
Side hustles come in many different forms and mine are not unique but, they included becoming a licensed home daycare provider, health & fitness coach, certified life coach, author and speaker. My side hustling required me to always be thinking, planning and dreaming up ways to create a buzz or name for myself.
It was not until I began to do some deep inner healing and growth that I realized I am good at my day job. I am an expert in my field and my worth does NOT have to be defined by the success of my side hustling.
In the past year I have gotten bold and began to ask for what I wanted in my career. I have began to embrace my calling in life outside the home. Good thing I learned this before it was too late… seeing that my son just started high school.
Yes, I love connecting and encouraging women in their journey through life but, following a particular model or set of rules in order to gain a following did NOT cut it for this Enneagram Four; someone who desires to be known and connect on a deeper level. I truly believe I am special and I want to live in my unique gifting and this is NOT possible with a side gig that depends on leads, click bait and forcing myself to promote my “product” multiple times a day on social media.
I would honestly rather be playing a game with my son, reading a book, watching a movie, taking a pretty pictures of flowers or a graffiti wall then taking pictures of my food or a shake I am drinking in order to attain my monthly sales quotas. And, yes I do love drinking the kool-aid (I mean Shakeology) but, I seriously do not want to post it daily to get anyone to buy it from me.
I am in no way saying that your side hustle could not become your full-time job. Hey, if it’s working for you then go after it and get all you can from your efforts. For me I did not have to do much soul-searching to realize that I was not made to stay at home and my dreams of quitting my job were pretty silly when I realized they were based on others experiences or expectations. It took me a bit longer to come to the realization that I was in fact made for my career as a contractor and my job is actually challenging and satisfying all at the same time.
When we ditch all the influx of information in our lives and we get quiet long enough to hear our own ideas and God’s ideas we can begin to undo some of our beliefs that are rooted in fear or the pressure to follow the cultural norms of society. Not all moms were made to be at home cooking, cleaning and taking care of babies. It is okay to live in your authentic truth.
So, here lies my side hustling. It is not apart of my true self. Hustling has left me tired and exhausted from trying to keep up with the Jones. It has left me striving for other’s ideas of success and status. Hustling made me ride a rollercoaster of seeking approval which I can NEVER achieve. It has kept me from living in my real sweet spot. It’s time to lie them all down at the altar.
All my trying to seek approval and recognition is not serving me in this new season of life. I have dreams that are far greater than likes and followers. I want my extra time and energy to be placed in the things God has for me individually. And so, this website will no longer host services for me to sell. It will no longer promote my name or books. It will be a place for me to come and share what God is teaching me in this season of life even if no one reads it; I will follow the path less traveled in the world today.
