September was such a weird month for me.
Almost like I was having a mid-life crisis followed by an epiphany. Only, I just turned 29 so I don’t know that you could really call it a mid-life crisis!
In August I stepped down from one of my freelance jobs. This was a job that took up the vast majority of my work from home time. After giving it tons of consideration I felt like I was no longer a good fit for the role. So, in September all of a sudden I started having a bunch more free time. I was no longer having to get creative with how and when I worked.
I wasn’t “busy” anymore.
And it felt weird. Not a good kind of weird. A lost kind of weird.
Slowing Down……………
I started making a bunch of goals and none of them felt important and the next day I’d scrap the goal and start from scratch.
And then one morning I woke up and wondered what in the world was wrong with me?! I quit a job so I’d be more relaxed and able to work on what I wanted and yet, here I was, trying to fill that time back up with stuff that didn’t really matter to me.
Dumb girl.
So I gave myself permission to slow down and do whatever I felt like. And for the last half of September that’s what I did.
I focused on being present for my girls. I did stuff they asked without thinking about it. (Like making leaf piles by hand or watching them swing for hours.) I refinished an old bench. I re-organized random parts of my house. I cleaned every single day. I started ripping down wallpaper.
Of course I still worked too. I just wasn’t flying through stuff. Instead of rushing from one thing to another I would work, do a load of laundry, work some more, clean the house while listening to a podcast, write a blog post, go visit the animals and then it would be time to pick up the girls from school. (And yes I take and pick my girls up from school just so I can get out of the house a little bit each day!)
Once I got over the feeling of needing to be busy all the time slowing down really felt good.
I guess after three years of intense goal chasing I had to force myself to change pace.
That’s not to say I’m done with goals. I just have to make sure I’m going after the right ones that mean something to me and not making myself busy just for the sake of being busy.
I’ve even been thinking of going and working for my Dad one day a week just for fun. Who knows.
September 2015 Income Report
So that’s a lot of talk about slowing down but I assure you, I did still work. I just wasn’t cramming my schedule so tight.
Here’s what I ended up earning last month. (As a reminder I report the income that I actually receive. That means some of this work was done in the last 30-60 days and I received payment for it in September.)
- Freelancing (Writing, Virtual Assistant Work, Blog Management) – $1,989
- Blogging – $3,661.74
- Total = $5,650.74
To break it down further the blogging income came from:
- Ad Networks – $2,595.15
- Affiliate Sales – $671.61
- Sponsored Posts – $350
- SEO Guide – $45
In other news we finally sold Jamie’s house. And not for what we wanted. You can find out about that on Monday as I try to do some honest accounting.
How was your September? Any side hustle progress? Major epiphanies? Pretty fall weather?
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- The Ultimate Guide to Finding Freelance Writing Jobs
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- Ways to Make Money Blogging
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Ahhh I have to admit I got slightly jealous when I read that you are slowing down! I am actually hustling like crazy so I can be home more in the future with my girls. I’ve been very strategic with my time, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out too much, but I could definitely use a little more relaxation!!
Congrats on the income!! 🙂
I think there’s definitely a time for the hustle 😉 I just think I’ve been going, going, going for the past three years that I need to stop and smell the roses a little bit. I’m sure when I find the right goal I’ll be ready to hustle again. Just feeling a bit burnt out.
Hi Alexa! I fell down tbe rabbit hole this morning, researching how to make money from home before my kids wake up for homeschool. I found your review for the Elite Blog Academy and I’m beginning to read your posts now! I recently completed the free 30-Day Challenge on Chalene Johnson’s website and it was helpful when it came to understanding what a push goal is (the one goal that makes all the others possible, in keeping with your intrinsic priority). Your post touches upon something many of us struggle with when we try to live intentionally.
Nice bench refinish! It has a rustic feel that could sell in the retail store I work at.
I am impressed by your blogging and freelance numbers too! I hope to get to that point but I working on the fear part of my mindset and reading your blog posts on that.
Thank you! I was pleasantly surprised with the way the bench turned out.
The best thing to do to get past the fear is to not even think about. Decide what you’re going to do and then just do it. Don’t stop to think about it. I am super over analytical so I have to just jump in or fear would always stop me in my tracks.
I just checked out your site. Your rates look extremely affordable. Start pitching some businesses if you haven’t already and then slowly up your rate until you find the sweet spot 🙂
Congrats on the income for September!! And I’m glad to hear you had time to rest and slow down. We are planning a quick wedding for next year so I’ve been hustling like crazy but may take a few off days this month to relax and recharge.
That’s so exciting. I’m happy for you 🙂 I’m sure a few days off for you is well deserved!
My September was pretty good. My page views about doubled so I’m pretty happy about that! Home life we are getting used to a new home routine and loving it.
That’s awesome Joyce. I am so happy for you. Glad that all of your hard work is paying off!
You are an inspiration. Maybe I can grow up to be like you;-)
LOL Thanks, Christina!
That is pretty impressive income even if you quit one freelance job.
Thank you. That includes some of that freelance income though as September was first full month off and I get paid the following month. Next month may be down some. I’ll have to see how that works out.
This is a great income report for the month although you make steady income by blogging. I have done some freelancing works and there are times when it takes me too much time. Keep up their is work, Alexa!
Yes, I agree. Freelance writing can be a little mentally draining after a while.
I understand you at 100% when I decided to turn back into real estate world as realtor I was so happy then at the beginning I was thinking “what are you doing?” is normal is necessary some time to asset for new things and maybe a slow down is something that your body and brain were asking, plus quality time spent with your family hasn’t worth…for house glad to know that you sold, I wait next post to know more about it!!!
Thanks Giulia! Yes, it can be hard to slow down. I sometimes end up feeling guilty for doing the things I want to do. I’m trying to get over that 🙂