On My Mind

Ever feel like you’re juggling too many things at once and dropping half of them? Same. Right now, I’m balancing a master’s degree, family responsibilities, a new job on the horizon, and my creative side hustles — and I’ll be honest, I am struggling to keep it all going.

For anyone who’s ever wondered how to keep pursuing their passions when life gets hectic, I’m sharing my behind-the-scenes reality: the struggles, small victories, and what’s keeping me going through it all.

When Life Throws Everything at You

My current season of life feels like one long to-do list. Between work, lectures, assignments, and research for my master’s program, I’m constantly racing against deadlines. On top of that, my family is facing a difficult time with my mum’s recent cancer diagnosis. Supporting her and my family is of course my top priority, but balancing the emotional weight of that with everything else hasn’t been easy.

To add to the mix, I’m starting a new job soon — a big, exciting step but one that comes with its own set of pressures. And then there’s the everyday stuff: making time for my partner, seeing friends, keeping up my fitness routine, and on top of that, I decided that this year was the year to start trying to build something meaningful through my blog and TikTok content.

The Creative Hustle

Creativity has been my outlet in the chaos, but it comes with its own challenges. This week, I hit a huge milestone: booking, filming and editing my first paid UGC (User-Generated Content) job. It’s been exciting but far more time-consuming than I expected, with multiple revisions. I see now why pushing for direct client contact is a top priority – editing a video for the 3rd time because the system cut off half of the client’s request is extremely frustrating!

That said, one of the most rewarding moments this week was getting my first inbound enquiry for UGC. It came from posting consistently, and seeing my hard work start to pay off has been incredibly motivating.

If you’ve ever felt like the effort you’re putting into your side hustle isn’t worth it, I want to tell you: keep going. It might take time, but those little wins can make a huge difference.

How I’m (Barely) Keeping It Together

Let’s be real — there’s no perfect system. Here’s what’s working for me right now:

1. Deadlines: Knowing there’s a ticking clock forces me to prioritise what matters. By holding myself accountable to posting at least once per day, means I know that I have until the end of each day to get something up. It’s tough sometimes, particularly on those days when you don’t want to post or don’t know what to post, but it is working and keeping me accountable.
2. Small Pockets of Time: I’ve started making the most of those 15-minute windows — editing a video here, jotting down blog ideas there. Spending 15 minutes at lunchtime, or even thinking about the next post while running at the gym — it all adds up. 
3. Celebrating the Wins: Whether it’s finishing a project or getting a new enquiry, taking time to celebrate even the small victories helps keep me going.

Why I Keep Going

Amidst the chaos, my creative outlets remind me why I do what I do. They’re not just hobbies; they’re a way of staying connected to what lights me up.

If you’re in a similar boat — trying to build something meaningful while managing everything life throws your way — know that you’re not alone. Progress doesn’t have to be perfect. Even if you’re moving slowly, you’re still moving.