Balancing the Demands: Life with a Full-Time Career and a Side Hustle

Life is a juggling act. It’s a non-stop dance of work deadlines, family dinners, passion projects, and the occasional (okay, frequent) meltdown. Add a side hustle (or two) into the mix, and suddenly you’re a full-on circus performer, balancing on a tightrope with a laptop in one hand and a toddler in the other. Sound familiar?

If you’re like me, you’ve realized that chasing big dreams doesn’t mean you magically get 30 hours in a day. I’m here to tell you that I definitely don’t have it all figured out—but I’m trying my best. So, grab your favorite beverage (because hydration and caffeine are equally important), and let’s chat about how I’m learning to balance a full-time career and a side hustle without losing my mind… most days.

Why Juggle Both?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” For me, my full-time career as an athletic trainer is incredibly fulfilling. It’s challenging, rewarding, and keeps me on my toes (literally). But there’s this creative spark inside me that wanted more. Enter: my side hustle as a virtual assistant and blogger. Through my business, Freely Font, I help others take back their time (the irony of that is not lost on me) and streamline their workflows. Plus, my personal blog, Kyndallfont.com, is my way of sharing tips, connecting with like-minded people, and embracing authenticity.

The truth is, my side hustle isn’t just about making extra money (though that’s nice). It’s about pursuing something I’m passionate about and creating a life that feels uniquely mine. But… passion doesn’t pay the bills if it leads to burnout. So, finding balance is key.

Blocking Time Like a Pro (or at Least Trying)

One thing I’ve learned is that time is my most precious resource. To keep everything from colliding like an epic game of bumper cars, I’ve started using time-blocking. Here’s how it works for me:

Morning Blocks: I am most productive in the morning, so I set my priority tasks to get done first thing.
Lunch Breaks: Instead of scrolling through social media during my lunch break, I’ll answer a few emails or brainstorm blog ideas. (Okay, sometimes I still scroll TikTok—it’s all about balance, right?)
Evening Focus: After my daughter goes to bed, I’ll dedicate an hour or two to client work or content creation. I set a timer to stay on track and avoid working until midnight (been there, done that, don’t recommend).

The key is being intentional with your time. Blocking out chunks of my day for specific tasks helps me stay focused and keeps the overwhelm at bay… somewhat.

Boundaries Are My Best Friend

Confession: I used to be the queen of saying “yes” to everything. Need someone to take on an extra project? Sure! Can I squeeze in one more client call? Of course! But here’s the thing—spreading myself too thin wasn’t helping anyone, least of all me.

Now, I’m learning to set boundaries. For example:

Work Stays at Work: When I’m with my family, I’m with my family. No checking emails at the dinner table or sneaking in work during playtime. (Okay, I slip up occasionally, but I’m working on it!)
Side Hustle Hours: I’ve set specific hours for my side hustle and stick to them as much as possible. This helps me avoid the “just one more thing” trap that eats into family time.
Learn to Say No: If a project or opportunity doesn’t align with my priorities or feels like too much, I’ve learned to (politely) say no. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.

Family First, Always

As much as I love my work and my side hustle, my family is my top priority. My husband and my daughter are my heart, and I want them to feel that every day. That’s why I’ve made it a point to:

Plan Quality Time: Whether it’s a family movie night, a trip to the park, or just snuggling on the couch, I make sure we have dedicated time together.
Be Present: When I’m with them, I’m all in. I do my best to soak up the moments.
Celebrate the Little Things: Whether it’s my daughter’s latest milestone or my husband’s work achievement, we make a big deal out of the small stuff. It keeps us grounded and connected.

What I’m Still Working On

Let’s be real: I’m far from perfect. There are days when I feel like I’m crushing it and days when I feel like I’m barely holding it together. Here are a few things I’m still figuring out:

Self-Care: Finding time for myself is hard. I’m trying to get better about carving out time for things like exercise, reading, or just relaxing.
Delegation: I’m a bit of a control freak, so asking for help doesn’t come naturally. But I’m learning to lean on my support system when I need it.
Letting Go of Perfection: Not every blog post will be flawless. Not every project will go off without a hitch. And that’s okay. Progress over perfection, right?

Tips for Fellow Jugglers

If you’re balancing a full-time career and a side hustle (or considering it), here are a few tips that have helped me:

Start Small: Don’t try to do it all at once. Build your side hustle gradually and give yourself grace.
Stay Organized: Use planners, apps, or sticky notes—whatever works for you—to keep track of your tasks and deadlines.
Celebrate Wins: Big or small, every accomplishment deserves a fist bump (or a happy dance).
Know Your Why: Remember why you’re doing this. It’ll keep you motivated on the tough days.

Final Thoughts

Balancing a full-time career and a side hustle is no easy feat, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Some days, you’ll feel like a superhero. Other days, you’ll wonder if you’re even cut out for this. (Spoiler: You are.)

At the end of the day, it’s about progress, not perfection. I’m still learning, still growing, and still trying my best. And you know what? That’s enough.

So, whether you’re already juggling all the things or just thinking about starting a side hustle, know that you’re not alone. We’re all out here doing our best, one day (and one coffee) at a time. You’ve got this!