I think I spent way too many years trying to figure out what I wanted to “do” with my life when the answer was never really one specific job.
I want to make good money, obviously. But I also want TIME. I want to ride, take the lesson, go to the show, say yes to things without checking how much PTO I have left, and someday hopefully afford the kind of horse little me used to dream about.
I’ve made money through TikTok Shop, brand deals, content creation and different side hustles, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of it. But it’s also taught me that making money and having freedom aren’t always the same thing. If making more requires every extra hour I have, eventually I’m taking time away from the exact things I wanted the money for.
And I know there are other girls sitting in that weird middle too. You know you want something more. You have 47 interests and probably just as many ideas. You’d love to make money from something you actually care about, but you keep getting stuck trying to figure out what the “right” idea is or where the heck you’re supposed to start.
That ’s why I made The Messy Middle. It’s a beginner-friendly guide to help you look at what you already know and love, find a digital product idea inside of it, and start turning that idea into something you can actually sell.
And I made it $17 on purpose. I don’t want learning how to create another stream of income to require you to already have hundreds of dollars to invest. If the whole point is helping more women create a little more freedom for themselves, I want more women to actually be able to access it.
If you’re in your messy middle too, go check it out! In my b!0❤️
Navigating the balance between earning money and maintaining personal freedom can feel like a constant struggle. From my own experience, I’ve realized that building income isn’t just about the paycheck—it's about designing a lifestyle where time and money coexist. One key insight I learned is that your income sources should serve your life goals, not the other way around. For example, many of us dream about having enough flexibility to pursue hobbies or passions, like horseback riding or traveling, without the stress of financial insecurity. This means choosing side hustles or income streams that don’t demand every waking hour. Digital products are a great example of this balance. They allow you to leverage your skills and ideas into something that can sell repeatedly with less ongoing time investment. Whether it’s an ebook, a course, or a digital download, these products can create passive income, freeing up your schedule. Starting small really helped me overcome the overwhelm. Instead of waiting to find the “perfect” idea or having a massive budget, I focused on what I already knew and enjoyed. This approach reduces risk and makes the process more approachable. Additionally, affordability matters. I found that initial costs shouldn’t be a barrier to creating another income stream. There are many tools and platforms that allow creators to start with minimal upfront investment. Lastly, embracing the “messy middle” phase—where things feel uncertain and ideas abound—is crucial. Instead of waiting for clarity or perfection, taking the first step in your messy middle can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. If you’re juggling multiple ideas and struggling to pick a direction, know that it’s okay to explore and test. Your dream job might not be a single role but a lifestyle you create yourself. Building income with time for your passions is entirely possible, and it starts by shifting focus from chasing a single 'perfect' job to crafting freedom through smart, manageable income streams.
