Building a Side Hustle While Working 9–5 and Still Having a Life

Let’s be real: balancing a full-time job, nurturing a growing side hustle, and still showing up for your family, friends, and yourself? It’s not for the faint of heart.

But here’s the good news: it’s possible—with purpose, planning, and a whole lot of grace.

When I first started building my side hustle alongside my 9–5, I didn’t have a magical productivity system or 12 extra hours in the day. What I did have was a commitment to start each day with clear intention—even if everything didn’t go perfectly.

Let me walk you through how I make it work—and how you can too.

My Morning Routine: 5AM and Full of Purpose

The key to juggling everything without losing my sanity? Owning my mornings.

Every weekday, I wake up at 5:00 AM. This quiet time before the world stirs is sacred. It’s when I reconnect with myself, get grounded, and map out my focus for the day. No emails. No notifications. Just me, my journal, and my vision.

Here’s what my Morning Intentionality Journal Routine looks like:

📝 1. Review My Monthly Goals
I keep these front and center—literally. Whether I’m working on growing my blog audience, launching a new product, or hitting a savings goal, I revisit my monthly priorities daily to stay aligned.

🌞 2. Set My Top 3 Daily Goals
These are the three things I must get done that day—one for work, one for my side hustle, and one for me. That last one could be as simple as making time for a walk or calling a friend.

💬 3. Read My Daily Affirmations
I have a list of affirmations I rotate through depending on what I need. Some mornings, I need to remind myself: “I am capable of doing hard things.” Others, it’s: “I am building the life I dream of—one day at a time.”

🎯 4. Focus With Intention
Before I even open my laptop, I ask: What’s the most important thing to focus on first today? This sets the tone for how I use my energy—especially before the 9–5 whirlwind begins.

What Side Hustling Actually Looks Like

There are days where everything goes to plan: I wake up early, crush a blog post before work, and make dinner on time. Other days? The coffee spills, I miss a deadline, or I just want to curl up on the couch and binge-watch something.

And I’ve learned: that’s okay.

Side hustling while working full-time doesn’t mean being in hustle mode 24/7. It means moving forward steadily—even when life gets messy. It’s about being consistent, not perfect.

Here’s how I structure my week to make it sustainable:

• Mornings (5–7 AM): My sacred creative time for writing, planning, or content creation
• Lunch breaks: A quick email check or brainstorm session
• Evenings: Focus on personal time, family, or winding down—unless there’s a launch or deadline
• Weekends: Dedicated blocks for batching content or working ahead—plus real rest time

3 Tips to Stay Sane While Doing It All

💡 1. Plan With Intention, Not Pressure
Use a journal or planner that keeps your daily and monthly goals visible. But don’t beat yourself up if things shift—flexibility is key.

💡 2. Make Peace With Imperfection
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present. Some weeks you’ll crush it. Other weeks, you’ll tread water. Keep going.

💡 3. Protect Your Energy
Not every hour needs to be productive. Schedule rest like you schedule meetings. Your creativity depends on it.

Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Grow Slowly

Building a side hustle while working full-time isn’t about fast results—it’s about sustainable growth. You’re planting seeds now for something bigger later.

So if you’re waking up early, setting your goals, and giving your dream your best energy—you’re already doing more than most. Keep showing up. Keep believing. And most importantly, keep living along the way.