Night time routine
LifeI need a morning, and night routine. My life is feeling a little chaotic right now because my focus is so thin. I need to move around and get active again.
2024
Making friends after 28
LifeIt’s difficult making friends as we age. I moved to Austin back in April and I haven’t prioritised making friends at all. Whis is actually pretty difficult for me because I have spent the majority of my life surrounded by people.
Running a business alone
LifeIt’s not fun.. I keep trying to get people at work to get in on the action but it seems everyone else puts normal life things first.
It’s weird because at one point in my life I thought it would be easier to do things alone but ultimately I find fulfillment in a community.
Surviving to Thriving: My 2024 Transformation
LifeHey everyone, I want to share a story with you. It’s not the polished, picture-perfect narrative you might expect, but it’s real, raw, and might just resonate with some of you out there feeling stuck or lost.
The Low Point
January 2024 hit me like a ton of bricks. I had lost everything – relationships with family members I’d had for years, my sense of direction, my plans for the future. You name it, it was gone. I was living in Fort Worth, working a job that was slowly killing my spirit.
Picture this: I had a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, but I was waiting tables, doing freelance marketing gigs on the side, and bartending to make ends meet. Every morning, I’d wake up thinking, “There’s got to be more to life than just… struggling.”
It wasn’t just a financial struggle. It was mental, emotional – everything was falling apart. My grandmother was sick, my dad was sick. When they say “when it rains, it pours,” well, I was in the middle of a hurricane.
The Turning Point
But here’s where things started to change. My fiancée had been upskilling, taking a data analyst course through Coursera. In December, she applied for a job, and a month later, she got a call back. This was our breakthrough moment.
The job offer wasn’t enough for me to quit my gigs, but it did something crucial – it relocated us from Fort Worth to Austin. It was our clean break, our chance to start fresh in a bigger city with more opportunities.
Taking the Leap
Inspired by my fiancée’s success, I decided to take control of my own career. I was tired of waiting tables, tired of fighting for freelance work. I thought, “If she can go from leasing to data analyst, I can go from struggling digital marketer to a 9-to-5 job in my field.”
So, I did something that felt both desperate and brave – I joined Facebook groups for Austin professionals and put myself out there. I shared my skills, my portfolio, and basically said, “Hey, I exist, I’m coming to Austin, and I’m ready to work.”
The Surprising Result
And you know what? It worked. It actually worked.
A guy reached out on Facebook, and at first, I thought it was a scam. But he invited me to come to Austin for an interview. Despite my doubts and fears, I drove down with my fiancée, thinking, “This is too good to be true.”
The job offer was twice what I was making before. It was the break we desperately needed.
The Lesson
Looking back, I realize that sometimes, the simplest solutions are the ones we overlook. I never thought about just… moving. Changing my environment, putting myself in a place with more opportunities in my field.
The tech scene in Austin is incredible, and it opened doors I didn’t even know existed back in Fort Worth.
Moving Forward
So here I am, sharing this story with you from Austin. I’ve gone from rock bottom to rising in my career, all in the span of a few months. It wasn’t easy, and it certainly wasn’t comfortable, but it was worth it.
If you’re feeling stuck, if you’re struggling in a job that’s killing your spirit, remember this: change is possible. Sometimes, it takes a leap of faith, a change of scenery, or just putting yourself out there in a new way.
Your breakthrough might be just around the corner. Don’t be afraid to go after it.
How I Launched My Newsletter and Got My First Subscriber
Newsletter
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting “send” on your first newsletter and watching that little “1 subscriber” notification pop up. It’s exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and strangely satisfying all at once. And here’s how I did it.
Why Start a Newsletter?
So, let me backtrack a little. I’ve been wanting to start a newsletter for a while. There’s something about creating direct lines of communication with people that just feels more personal. Social media algorithms can be unpredictable, but with a newsletter, you’re sending your words, ideas, and tips straight to someone’s inbox. It’s a commitment from them to hear what you have to say. That’s powerful.
Plus, I knew this was a chance to build something of my own—a community that isn’t reliant on the latest trends or changes in platform policies.
If you’re thinking of starting a newsletter yourself, I highly recommend Beehiv. It’s the platform I use, and it’s super easy to navigate whether you’re just starting out or already have an audience. And full disclosure: this is an affiliate link, which means if you sign up through my link, I’ll earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
The Launch Process (A.K.A. Pushing Through the Fear)
The thought of starting a newsletter can feel like yelling into the void, especially when you don’t have a huge following to begin with. But I knew I had to get over that internal hesitation. You can’t grow an audience you don’t show up for, right?
First things first, I needed a tool. I decided to use Beehiv to build out my email list because it’s clean, easy to use, and offers templates that make your newsletter look professional from day one. No one wants to open a messy-looking email, so presentation is key.
Next, I set up a simple landing page with a clear message—sign up to get exclusive content, insights, and all the stuff I don’t post on social media. If you’re curious to see what I’m doing or want to join, you can sign up for my newsletter here. I tried not to overcomplicate it. People don’t need 500 reasons to subscribe; they just need one good one.
My First Subscriber: The Moment of Truth
After tweaking the design and making sure everything looked solid, it was time to promote it. I shared it on my Instagram, threw a link in my bio, and mentioned it in a few conversations with friends and followers. I didn’t want to bombard people or come off as salesy, so I made it casual.
And then, boom. I got my first subscriber.
Not gonna lie—I was super excited. It didn’t matter if that person was someone I knew or if they were just curious. That single subscriber represented a start. It felt real, like I wasn’t just talking to the ether anymore. Someone cared enough to want more.
What Comes Next?
One subscriber is only the beginning. My goal now is to keep building, refining, and providing value. Every time I hit “send” on a newsletter, I’m thinking about how to make it worth reading—whether it’s helpful insights, personal stories, or resources I’m loving.
If you’re considering starting your own newsletter, I recommend giving Beehiv a shot. They’ve got great features and, honestly, have made the process much easier for me. Plus, if you use my link, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you (so thanks in advance!).
I’m keeping it authentic and true to my voice because that’s what brought people to me in the first place. The more I show up for my audience, the more I believe they’ll show up for me too. And if you want to see what I’m sending out, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter—I’d love to have you join.
So, if you’ve been thinking about launching your own newsletter, here’s my advice: just start. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or a giant following. Create the thing you want to create, and the subscribers will come. One by one.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog, including my Beehiv partner link, are affiliate links. This means if you click through and sign up or make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I genuinely use and believe will add value to your life or business. Your support through these links helps me continue to provide free content, and I greatly appreciate it!
How Brumate Transformed My Hydration Game: A Clumsy Person’s Dream Cup
9-5 Must Haves
If you’re anything like me, you probably have a love-hate relationship with hydration. It’s not that I don’t know how important drinking water is—I do. It’s just that my old habits didn’t quite align with the reality of staying hydrated, and my clumsiness made the task even harder. That’s where Brumate came to the rescue, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer.
The Hydration Challenge
For years, I struggled to meet my daily water intake goals. I’d start strong, but somewhere between my morning coffee and the endless cycle of meetings, my water bottle would be forgotten, left half-empty in some corner of my desk or car. I needed something that would make drinking water less of a chore and more of a habit.
Enter Brumate
I stumbled upon Brumate during a search for a water bottle that could handle my chaotic lifestyle. What caught my attention was not just its sleek design but also the promises of its performance. I was intrigued by its reputation for keeping drinks cold (or hot) for hours, but I needed to know if it could really tackle my specific challenges: hydration and clumsiness.
The Perfect Fit for My Clumsy Hands
Let’s start with the clumsiness factor. If you’ve ever accidentally knocked over your drink while reaching for your keyboard, you’ll understand why I needed a reliable cup. Brumate’s design is a game-changer in this regard. It features a spill-proof lid that truly lives up to its name. I’ve knocked it over, tapped it with my elbow, and even dropped it (admittedly, not on purpose), and not a single drop has escaped.
The lid is not just spill-proof but also incredibly easy to use. With a simple flip, I can sip comfortably without worrying about awkward twisting or leaks. This has been a revelation for someone like me, who once had a talent for creating soggy desk disasters.
The Hydration Boost
Now, let’s talk hydration. With Brumate, I find myself drinking more water simply because the cup makes it easy and enjoyable. The insulation technology keeps my water perfectly cold for hours, which is a huge plus in motivating me to drink more frequently. I don’t have to deal with lukewarm water or run to the fridge to refresh my drink.
Additionally, the cup’s generous capacity means fewer refills throughout the day, making it easier to keep track of my intake. The clear design (with a variety of colors and patterns to choose from) is visually appealing, and I’ve found myself reaching for it more often just because it looks and feels great.
The Verdict
Switching to Brumate has been nothing short of transformative for me. It’s more than just a cup—it’s a practical solution to my hydration woes and a safeguard against my clumsy tendencies. The ease of use, combined with its ability to keep my water cold and free from spills, has made it an indispensable part of my daily routine.
If you’re struggling to stay hydrated or find yourself perpetually cleaning up after spilled drinks, I highly recommend giving Brumate a try. It might just be the game-changer you need to make hydration a seamless part of your life.
Disclosure
Just a heads-up: The links to Brumate in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue sharing helpful content. Thanks for your support!
Cheers to never having to worry about spills or forgotten water bottles again!