Hello! I promised you an answer today, and though I do not feel like writing, I always try to make good on my promises.
The question was, ‘What is a stay-at-home, work hating wife, with a middle class bougie lifestyle’ to do about income? Dave Ramsey (who I am a huge fan of) would say to suck it up, work a job I hate for a ‘short’ (relative term) season, and finish the baby steps. But is that really the best, and only, way? Is the advice I received correct? Is this just how life is, and there is nothing I can do about it? I’m on a mission to find out. I believe that God put each of us on this earth with unique personalities and talents. Our job is to use those personalities and talents to the best of our abilities and to bring glory to Him. I do not believe that falling in line, and doing what has to be done because it is expected is at all what God has in mind for us. If you look at the Bible, no one that God used fell in line. They all went against the status quo, and God turned their lives upside down. They lived adventurously creative lives. I want that. We all should want that. But an adventurously creative life does not have to equate to fighting a giant, or putting your life at risk to save a nation from a crazy guy, or driving a stake through someone’s head! Not all of us are called to physical adventures. That just isn’t reasonable. As Tevye said, ‘…the whole world will be blind and toothless.’ (Jewison, Norman. Fiddler on the Roof. United Artists, 1971). Also, if that is the life that all of us were called to, I think it would be very boring. And God is not a boring god. So, again, what am I to do?
Thanks to Pinterest and Google, I can find just about anything. And what I have been searching for recently are side hustles from home. The ‘from home’ part is important. I’m not JUST an introvert. I’m also 80% hermit. I digress…I believe there is an art to mastering the side hustle, and I am out to conquer it. I thought I would bring you along! So, what is the plan?
Several months ago, I started saving pins on Pinterest about side hustles, and ways to improve your mind. There were a wide range to choose from, and so I saved everything. Because I’m not just after a side hustle for extra cash. I’m looking for something. I’m looking to see who I am beyond just a daughter, sister, wife, and dog mom. I’m looking to see where my talents truly lie, and where they will take me. I don’t want to settle in life. I don’t want to do what’s expected. I want to live to the fullest, and put every ounce of talent that God gave me to use. But how will I find all of those ounces if I don’t look? This is the true theme of Birthday Month this year. What job was I born to work? What was I meant to spend the next 30 years doing, and how will it make a difference in me, my family, and the world? How will it bring glory to God?
Last year, I conquered art. I had always been told I had no talent for art. So, I defied that. And you know what I found? I am good at art! Again, relative. Let’s be realistic, you’ll never find my artwork at a museum next to a Michael Angelo or Leonardo De Vinci! But that is okay because I love it! That makes it worth doing, no matter the outcome! I have created so many pieces for our home, and it is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.
This year, I am taking on the lies that I have been told about work. As a child, I showed great aspirations towards teaching, especially special education. The belief has always been that the classroom is where I should, and would, end up. I have attempted that pursuit several times, and it always ends with me having egg on my face. Everytime I attempt to open the door, I feel God firmly shut it. ‘That isn’t your door. I know it seems like it makes sense, and it is expected, but it doesn’t belong to you. Stop.’ So, I’m stopping. Honestly, with the state our education system is in, there are more teachers leaving, than staying anyway. I would never send my children to public school, so why would I send myself?
As I said, there are MANY side hustle options out there, so we are going to spend the next several months exploring as many as possible. Each one will be judged based on several criteria:
- How much income it brings in
- How much I enjoy it
- How easy it is to do from home, because hermit!
- If I have to put money into it first, and how much
- The amount of time and effort, compared to the payoff
I will also do side hustle comparisons. For example, the first side hustle we are going to look at is getting paid to take surveys online. We will look at two different companies, and decide which one is worth the bang for the buck…that’s what she said…
The OK Adventures of Peppersloth and Annie 
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