having hobbies and being smart is hot (again?) | ON MY Vol 1

random thought i thunk

February was lot… in the best way. I haven’t sat still, and part of me loves that. I’m in that in-between space where I know exactly what I want, but I’m not fully there yet. That middle season where things are exciting and noisy and chaotic and hopeful and creative. My brain has been moving faster than my schedule, my ideas are all over the doggone place, and I’ve been pushing myself to focus less on thinking and more on executing.

I know everyone’s anti-hustle, and I get it. But I also don’t know many people who’ve built something meaningful without seasons of real sacrifice. Grit. I’m not saying I’m about to work myself into burnout. That’s definitely not the plan. I just know this season calls for more of me, and I’m okay with that.

There’s a fine line between giving yourself grace and quietly letting yourself off the hook. And now that I can distinguish between the two, I’m putting my foot on the gas and only easing up when I need to refuel.

tools + resources helping me execute

My desk is typically a mess. I try to keep it clean but it never stays that way. Organized chaos at its finest. Currently on my desk is a book called, 10x is Easier than 2x. I’m only a couple chapters in and it’s already got my brain running faster than Usain.

The main idea is that 10x-ing your goals, your life, your results.. actually requires less than doubling them. The problem with 2x-ing your goals is that you think the route to attaining it means doubling your effort. Basically, we force ourselves to do more of the same things, just faster and harder to achieve 2x. While 10x is so big that it automatically pushes you out of your current mindset and approach. You can’t work 10x harder or 10x more hours. (And chile, I don’t want to).

Most importantly, 10x growth only happens with clarity: being clear on the goal, then hyper-focusing only on the tasks that move the needle toward it. This includes eliminating distractions and saying no to good opportunities out of expectation for great ones.

Ugh, loving how applicable this concept is to My Millionaire Year goal. Maybe the goal should be $10,000,000 instead??

what’s happening on social

Having hobbies is cool and being smart is hot. I mean, in my opinion it’s always been hot, which is why I need to wear my glasses more. No but seriously, we’re seeing a real shift on social. More people reading. More people sharing hands-on hobbies. Crocheting, horseback riding (linking my girl Taiwo’s video below), pottery, book clubs. It’s giving slower, more intentional, almost anti-algorithm.

Which, we love.

But I also think it’s fair to ask, are we actually living more intentionally, or are we just curating that image?

Because once something becomes aspirational online, it almost immediately becomes the new aesthetic. Reading isn’t just reading anymore. It becomes a stack of vintage books messily styled on a nightstand. A hobby isn’t just a hobby. It becomes a new content pillar or your latest signature series.

I don’t say that to be cynical… because the way y’all gone see me playing tennis as soon as this weather breaks. Immediately yes. This shift is healthy. But the difference between transformation and performance is private consistency. Are you doing it when no one’s watching? That’s when it matters.

If you’re going to lean into your intellectual or hobbies era, let it be real. Let it change you offline before you brand it online. That’s when it actually becomes hot, bookie.

Let’s talkkk

Okay wait… I’m SO excited about this segment of these newsletters because I want this to feel like you’re phoning a sisterfriend about something you need my help with or my take on. Can be about business, branding, marriage, parenting — chile, anything! Comment a question below, and it may be answered as a voice note in the next ON MY newsletter.

Content that’ll move you

Watch this if you keep starting over. Consistency is about gaining momentum and control of your actions. If you struggle with consistency in any part of your life (um, who doesn’t), this is for you.

xx,

Erin