“You shouldn’t use all your money to pay off your loans.”
“You shouldn’t use all your money to pay off your loans.”
That’s what my dad told me when I told my parents that I wanted to pay off my student loans as soon as graduating.
My parents were not very good with money. Because of this, I became somewhat good at it. Good enough that I was doing all the things I wanted to, and I never felt like I was “truly” broke.
I did 5 things to pay off my debt. It wasn’t hard. But, it required discipline.
1. I saved up the grant I received from the government
When I applied for a student loan from the government, I…
“I’m not addicted to Instagram.”
Instagram took a lot of my time and energy. If you have this app, chances are, it takes a lot of yours as well.
My toxic relationship with Instagram
When I was on Instagram, I found that I wasn’t comparing myself to others. But, I posted things that would make others envious of me.
I would spend 45 minutes to 1 hour to pick the “best” photo. Only to get the instant dopamine (the same hormone you get from eating delicious food) boosts from all the “likes”. Over time, this makes you want to do it over and over again. …
This means that you’re a content creator with multiple interests
I started my content creator journey eight months ago.
When I started, every successful online entrepreneur convinced me that the only way to get ‘there’ is to niche down. That means that you pick one industry, one topic to talk about, and be known for that one thing. That thought was honestly so painful.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved learning about different things. I taught myself how to play guitar, make websites, crochet, speak Spanish. More recently, I’m learning about writing, entrepreneurship and the creator economy.
I didn’t know how to fit in the online world…
These simple mental shifts can fast-track your online growth
In July 2020, I bought my very first online course to build a coaching business on Instagram.
Three months later, I shut down my Instagram. I didn’t like what I was learning, didn’t like who I was becoming, and didn’t know where I was heading. The coaching industry on Instagram made me feel like I wasn’t going to get there.
I realized that I was comparing myself too much and didn’t know how to stop.
If you’re a new content creator, you will get to a point where you cannot stop comparing yourself to other people.
As a result, you…
Stick to it for at least half a year
It’s been 8 months since I started my creator journey.
And boy, it has changed my life. Along with millions of people, I was affected by the pandemic. I was one of the fortunate ones to keep my job, but sometimes I also thought, “I wish I got a break like everyone else.” That thought made me feel so ungrateful, but I was burnout.
But writing online changed my whole perspective about myself and my life in general. And, of course, awesome things are finally happening thanks to Twitter.
Here’s how my mind worked in the last 8 months.
From 0–30 days: On “how can I start making money online”
So…
Successful creators tell you to “be yourself.”
But then you think, how the f* can I do that when you’re also telling me to niche down? Once again, do that when you’re ready to monetize. Until then, explore all your interests.
Here’s why.
1. You combine 2–3 interests in a way that no one else can
Nicolas Cole was a gamer as a teenager. He talks about how being a gamer taught him essential life skills, like discipline, work ethic, and consistency in many of his stories.
What he learned from gaming and life translated into his writing. And he…
It lies in your day-to-day actions
Ever since I’ve started writing online, my partner has asked me to write an article about him. Not about us, but about him. Not in a selfish way, but in a cute-funny way. He’s the most selfless human being you’ll meet. He will do anything and everything for the people around him, even if it meant that he sacrificed his own needs.
We used to fight about this all the time. I’ve told him plenty of times to stop saying yes to everyone. He’s gotten better at it, but not as much. Because he’s so selfless, it’s become my job…
Idea validation is essential if you want your online course to succeed and coaching is the way to get it
In the past 6 months, I’ve spent over 3K+ on online courses.
I was so desperate to leave my nursing job that I wanted to learn how to make money online. So, I bought a course on how to build a coaching business. I also hired an online spiritual coach and joined an online writing community. Recently, I purchased an online writing course.
I learned a lot as a student, a content creator and as an aspiring online entrepreneur.
With that said, online courses should be the last thing on your mind as a creator who wants to start monetizing…
You couldn't have said this better!
Personally, I don't even like the word self-improvement.
It implies that there's something wrong with you that you need to improve yourself.
In reality, it's just a way of making you believe that you can be better than anyone else. But it needs to be used appropriately. That's what most people are missing.
Thank you for sharing a well-written article!
Cohort-based community is booming in the creator economy
I’ve been a part of several online paid communities before.
In January, I came across a new online community on Twitter called Ship 30 for 30. Their mission is to help new online writers build a writing habit in 30 days. There’s only a couple of rules: Write a 250-word essay and publish it every day for 30 days on Twitter.
In 30 days, I built confidence in my writing and communication skills and an engaged audience.
What I didn’t expect is the delivery of the program. …
Jerine Nicole
Emergency Nurse + Traveler. I write stories about how I explore life to inspire others. Newsletter on simple and Intentional living -> jerinenicole.substack.com
