Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Stay Motivated: It’s Okay to Vent

And oftentimes, you will. That is, vent.

If having a side hustle has taught me one thing it’s that nothing goes completely as planned no matter how well you planned it. People don’t respond they way you want them to, things don’t always line up they way you thought they would and the outcome isn’t always what you expected. In the beginning you may let that roll off your shoulder and chuck it up to lessons learned or just part of the growing process. As few more (hundred) times after that, okay — you’re borderline frustrated trying to paste on a smile. A few more (thousand) times after that, you’re just straight fed up.

But a lot of the people you regularly interact with aren’t part of your circle of influence or don’t understand the challenges you’ve willingly taken on, so they can emphasize, but sympathize with what you’re dealing with. And that can lead to some bottle up feelings. Way past frustration.

In which case, you need to vent. To whom? Someone in your tribe. And if you’re side hustling, girl, get you some tribe members. Even one person will make the difference in your life. This will be your someone who understands juggling a job, a hustle and that thing you call a life. They can listen without judging you or give you honest feedback. Whatever it is you need, they can be the person you vent to so you can continue to steam ahead.

My venting buddy: Elle. And she already knows. Who do you vent to?

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Money Matters: Are You Motivated By Money?

If you ask me this question point blank, my answer would be: hell yes! But not in the I love money, money rules everything around me kind of way. More like… I don’t wanna be boke so I make money conscious decisions so I can have a comfortable future that isn’t wielded by the fear of lack of money. There are songs that speak to the evils of money and how money is corruption but I disagree. I see money for what it is — a tool.

And like any generally good-natured person, I work so I can have enough money to have my basic necessities met. But I hustle so I can have more money build my dreams. Because we live in a world where, as my Nana would say

“Money talks and bullshit walks!”

And I’ve been very perceptive of the power we have given this tool we call money. We allow it dictate the value of living, housing, vacationing, education and every thing else that touches our lives. So if we don’t have money, we have lack. Or, so we’ve been taught to believe we lack if we don’t have money. Which is why it’s such a powerful motivator. There’s nothing wrong with money as a motivator. But, how we allow it to motivate us, that’s where the waters get murky.

Yes, I’m motivated by money. If I had more money, I’d be able to save more for a place I could own in the foreseeable future. If I had more money, I’d be able to pay off my student loan debts. If I had more money, I’d be able to live in a better neighborhood, or at least in a building that provided its tenants with parking. If more money this or if more money that. I’m sure we’ve all given ourselves the more money speech. But how often have we given ourselves the take action speech?

Think about how many times you yourself or someone you know has said, “if I won the lottery I’d buy….”. That’s a wonderful dream that money may have motivated, but what become of that dream? Better yet, if you didn’t win the lottery – which is all of us – are you still on track to live that dream life? Let money be motivation, but let some sort of execution propel you there.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Happy Friday: Smelling the Roses

Last night I finally for rid of my old mattress and box spring. Two months ago, I lease a new (new to me) car. I’m in market for a new coach and new laptop. Little things. Little material things I would not have been able to do if 7 months ago I stayed in the same place. At the same company, in the same role. Among the same people. I wanted to leave, I was ready to leave and I was finally blessed with an opportunity to leave.

And I’ve been smelling the roses ever since. I’ve had more perks, benefits, chances to network, to grow, to blossom and develop in my short 7 months than the 5 years… I was allowing myself to suffer.

We don’t also know what’s good for us until something bad has been removed. And, girl, let me tell you! Having those thorns plucked from you side makes the world of difference. Not just for you sanity but your overall well being.

So to my hustlers out there: look at how far you’ve come. Look at what you were or have been able to do for yourself. Yes, I know we feel like there so much more for us to accomplish and do and attain that there small materialistic measurements aren’t anything. But sometimes it helps putting it all into perspective. Where we are. What we have. How far we’ve come.

Stop and smell the roses once in a while.

Posted on by junkfoodbyelle

Food for Thought: Be Kinder

We can get so wrapped in our struggle that we forget about the struggle’s everyone else faces. In your day to day keep an open mind to what other’s are going through, but also be aware that some struggles can be avoided. So try not to get so wrapped up in being compassionate to the point where you feel sorry for that person, which then gets you more into their struggle than working on your own.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Happy Friday: Pushing Through

The hustle and bustle in DTLA

Happy Friday, ladies and gentlemen. And yes, for those of you aware of today’s date, it’s Friday the 13th. But I’ve never been one for superstition. Superstition to me is the equivalent of luck. And to quote Billy Zane from Titanic,”a real man makes his own luck.” In this cass, a real woman makes her own luck.

But let’s talk about how we’re just about halfway through September. Damn! I feel like it was just a few days ago we were talking about making these last four months in 2019 matter and now we’re down three and a half months. Time presses forward whether we’ve made plans or not.

Think about that as we close out the year. The clock is still running. And we might as well have it work with us than against us. So, push through these few months with all you have left. Surprise yourself. Level up. It’s not going to be easy all the time, but it sure is worth it.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Inside the Hustle: Notarizing in Torrance

It’s been a minute since I’ve shared an “inside the hustle”, and ladies I’ve been hustling. That’s for sure. But stopping to share the journey… not so much.

I’m in an Uber headed to Torrance. A client texted me from my Craigslist ad asking for same day services, so here I am headed their way hoping to make it by 9:30pm. Best thing about LA is that at this hour, it’s very likely.

The client caught me just in time, because I was about strip down and put bed-like clothes on. They’re not quite “pajamas”, but they serve the same purpose.

I’ll try to be more mindful and share these moments more often with you so we can support one another. And by all means, share your journey with me!