Tag: homeschoolmom

Side Hustles Are All The Rage!

Ok, it’s time for some real talk! Everyone could use some extra cash during the holiday season. Especially now! Thanks to COVID-19 unemployment is through the roof! A side hustle that brings in a few hundred could mean your child enjoys tennis lessons. If it brings in something more along the lines of a thousand or two, that could mean you’ve got your rent covered. Or maybe you end up raking in a few thousand and you can work your full-time gig only part-time or maybe not even at all. 

It happens to you every year, you have your lists, you make them and then somehow you unexpectedly forget someone. Not because you meant to, but because you are human! You’ve maxed your budget, you literally feel awful and you don’t know what to do! Side gigs are more than just a little bit of extra cash during the holiday season (although that’s a major bonus). It’s knowing if things hit the fan, you have a parachute. It’s knowing that if you then also work for a product company you might have a thing or two to give to someone who unexpectedly shows up on your doorstep with some love come Hanukkah and Christmas time!

In a recent Forbes article many celebrities have turned to side gigs, like private wine labels and lifestyle beauty brands to make ends meet since Hollywood was shut down. 

Here’s the thing, people are going to spend money. It’s just a matter of where they are going to spend it! I don’t know about you, but there’s something to be said about supporting a small business. A single mom who has to raise her kids solo, a person who has a disability and their only means of making it, is via technology or even the dad that has 5 mouths to feed and just wants to make a difference while providing for his family. No matter the why, I would much rather support someone attempting to make a name for themselves if given the choice. 

If you’re saying to yourself well, my plate is full how on earth would I be able to have something on the side? I’m here to tell you my friend, you get choose what is priority. You get to decide what brings you joy? Is it baking? Maybe you decide to sell some of your famous holiday cookies for people in your neighborhood who just can’t bake! Perhaps you have a green thumb and enjoy floral arrangements? Sell them! I would love to know someone who could take that off my plate. Or maybe you want to work for a company that is directly shipping goods to someone else’s doorstep out of sheer convenience? My point is, do some research, find your niche and get in the trenches. I haven’t had a boss in well over 8 years and it’s great to decide what I get to do.

I would call your bluff to say that you’re simply just afraid to explore something new, that you’re a creature of habit used to the same monotony that pays the bills, but you have to ask yourself are you truly happy? Think about the people in your life…would you love to spend more time with them? Would you want to the time freedom to do more of the things you love? Do you have debts that need paying off? I would venture to say you and I have that in common! Take the plunge and dive right in, even if it is just on the side and trust me you’ll be glad you did! 

-Briana D. 

Briana D.Leave a comment

Nobody’s Killing it!

Ok, I’ve gotta be honest. I’ve been a little quiet around here or at least it seems that way….Anyone else feel like they’re just going through the motions? Not sure if it’s because we have been in this COVID vortex for quite some time or maybe it’s, because I lost my best friend furry Sushi (our beloved pup of 17 years) and I can’t seem to quite bounce back from it just yet. 

Sure, I have some good days and bad, but I’ve come to the realization that COVID is here to stay. So what does that mean? Also, why has it become SO politicized? I assume it’s because we’re in an election year. 

Here’s the deal. We as parents thought we had it hard to begin with? Add a national pandemic to the mix and you’re in a for a real treat! It’s up to us to juggle all the things. I would be lying if I didn’t feel like I’ve lost myself some in the midst of all this. Whether you’re homeschooling and working full-time (there’s NO right or wrong answer), working from home or having to wear a mask and better yet work diligently to save lives all day…2020 is HARD. Now more than ever we HAVE got to set aside some time for what makes us, US. Ask yourself…is it reading a book? Watching some trash TV? Enjoying a quiet dinner after the kids are asleep? I’m telling you now that if don’t schedule it, it won’t happen. I’ve got to be honest, I’m pretty good about setting apart me time, but I would be lying to myself and all of you if I came off as someone who has it all together. I’m nearing my breaking point, pulling at straws to keep life as we know it normal. I’m also here to tell you that NOBODY is killing it! Everyone in their respective lanes is taking on this pandemic in different ways and suffering loss in more ways than one! Loss of a social life, loss of funds, loss of friends and even the loss of actual family members. 

I think the first step is to realize that we are living in the new normal. That big parties and gatherings are a thing of the past. Although they might be in our future, it won’t be the same for awhile. Perhaps its ok to give someone a hug (masks on), but then keep your distance. Here’s the other thing, if the kids need to go to school for your own sanity, then send them! If you need to head to the gym to interact with others and work out…do it! The bottom line is mental health is just as important as physical. I’m learning this everyday. Give yourself permission to do what you feel is right and screw everyone else, because after all we only have one shot, one opportunity on this planet. Maybe instead of saying nobody is killing it, instead we should say you’re killing it! So in the words my old friend Teo, “Go Big or Go Home!”

-Briana D.

Briana D.Leave a comment