Pretty Philosophical

not getting hired was the best thing that ever happened to me

After graduating with a double major, I applied for countless jobs and faced rejection from a master's program. During the pandemic, I observed many seasoned professionals leave their corporate careers, feeling unfulfilled. This prompted me to reconsider the traditional career path, and ultimately, not getting hired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In this episode, I delve into why I chose an alternative path, my journey into freelancing, and how it has been the best decision for me. If you're contemplating a similar shift, this episode is for you. Discover insights into freelance creative strategy and learn how you can embark on this path today. Key Moments: 0:00: Intro 0:49: The perfect storm that made me opt out 4:17: How I started freelancing 10:38: Why a traditional job isn't actually secure 11:00: Why you don't need to be an expert to start 14:20: How to get started today #freelancing #creativestrategy #femaleentrepreneurship #jobmarket2026 #genzcareeralternatives #futureofwork #freelancebusiness See show notes: https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a29a72b34735ff008b13688 [https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a29a72b34735ff008b13688] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

hire your damn self

The job market has transformed drastically since the pandemic, leaving many individuals searching for alternative career paths. If you find yourself in this position, this episode is a game-changer. I graduated during the pandemic with no job offers despite applying extensively. This led me to hire myself and within 18 months, I built a six-figure freelance business in creative strategy without a marketing degree, experience, or connections. In this episode, discover the mindset and skills that empowered me to achieve this, learn why this moment is a unique opportunity for everyone, and uncover common mistakes women make when venturing into online income streams. For those interested in exploring freelance creative strategy further, consider joining my free masterclass: https://join.shefreelances.com/live-masterclass [https://join.shefreelances.com/live-masterclass] 0:00: Intro 0:47: We are not cooked 2:08: You're sleeping on the opportunity 4:50: What I actually do 7:25: Freelancing is more fulfilling 10:30: Persistence prints money 13:00: Now go make it happen #freelancing #creativestrategy #onlineincome #jobmarket #six-figurebusiness #femaleentrepreneurship #self-employment #careertransformation #opportunity #mindset See show notes: https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a25b2aa71f592cbbbf5b608 [https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a25b2aa71f592cbbbf5b608] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

how i bully myself out of doomscrolling

You know that feeling after a doomscrolling session? Numbness, slight disgust, and exhaustion despite having barely moved. You've experienced a whirlwind of emotions but can't pinpoint what you watched. That doesn't have to be your reality. In this episode, I share how I motivated myself to escape the doomscrolling trap. Hey, I'm Denée! 🎀 Let's explore life design and how your beliefs, often inherited unquestioned, shape your reality. I delve into how you perceive yourself, what you tolerate, and the essentials needed for transformation. Creative strategy and freelancing are integral to my journey, granting the freedom to explore life's design. I've never worked a corporate job. After graduating, I scaled my freelance business to six figures in 18 months, paid off my student debt, and founded She Freelances™, empowering women to achieve the same. On this channel, I break down creative strategy, freelancing, and building a freelance business. I discuss how to attract clients and transform your skills into income amidst today's economic landscape. Discover why specialized knowledge, creative strategy, and freelancing represent the future of work. Ultimately, it's about becoming someone who designs their life and earns from it. Love you, mean it 🎀 0:00: Intro 1:19: They're betting on your helplessness 3:16: The alter ego method 6:25: What to do instead #doomscrolling #lifedesign #freelancing #creativestrategy #transformskills #futureofwork #freelancebusiness See show notes: https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a1c7828454a06f2f50ea713 [https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a1c7828454a06f2f50ea713] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

a husband is not a life plan

There's a version of your life that's richer, fuller, and more profound than what you're currently experiencing. The reason you haven't discovered it yet is that you're searching for it in others. This episode dives into the true costs of outsourcing your happiness, decision-making, and life's burdens to someone else. We explore the dependency loop that goes unnoticed, why facing challenges is essential, and how to craft a life that feels authentically yours. Topics Covered: * Why outsourcing joy might seem like relief but ultimately worsens the situation. * The long-term effects of the dependency loop on relationships. * The importance of challenges as integral parts of life. * Building a resilient life that supports you through tough times. * Understanding the distinction between seeking love and community vs. using them as escape routes. Denée discusses life design, the foundation of how your life takes shape. Your beliefs, often inherited and unexamined, shape your reality. She shares insights on the thought processes, self-perception, and tolerances that influence change. Denée's journey in creative strategy and freelancing provided the freedom to explore these topics in real-life contexts. After graduating, she scaled her freelance business to six figures within 18 months, paid off student debt, and founded She Freelances™, empowering women to achieve similar success. The podcast addresses creative strategy, freelance business building, client acquisition, and monetizing skills in today's economy. It also highlights the increasing importance of specialized knowledge, creative strategy, and freelancing in the future of work. At its core, this is about becoming a person who designs their life and earns from it. 0:00: Intro 0:45: My post-grad plans 3:00: How I built a six-figure business 5:22: Femininity and adulthood 7:05: The dependency loop 9:00: Hard things are the point 11:00: What a privilege 12:00: I still love love #lifedesign #dependencyloop #freelancing #creativestrategy #challenges #relationships #self-perception #joy #beliefs #resilience See show notes: https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a1883bdf3505820cc2dd923 [https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a1883bdf3505820cc2dd923] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

nobody's hiring you so hire your damn self

An entire generation dutifully followed the expected path—pursuing education, incurring loans, earning degrees—only to face an uncertain job market. Entry-level hiring has plummeted by 30%, with AI stepping in to replace junior roles even before they begin. This episode offers an unfiltered perspective on why traditional career paths are crumbling, how the job market is set to evolve by 2026, and why venturing into freelancing might be the smartest choice today. Discover insights on starting a freelance career without experience or a degree, understanding the disappearing entry-level jobs in 2026, navigating the AI-altered job market for Gen Z, and the stability freelancing offers over traditional roles. Learn how to market yourself and secure clients online, build a six-figure freelance business from scratch, and adapt economically as a woman in the future workplace. Dive into life design and the architecture shaping your existence. Understand how beliefs shape reality and what it takes to instigate change. The episode emphasizes the significance of specialized knowledge, creative strategy, and freelancing as the future of work, empowering individuals to design their lives and earn from it. 00:00: Intro 02:15: Why clavicular is woke 04:10: It was never a meritocracy 06:30: I stopped waiting for jobs 08:08: A resume won't save you 12:57: Why visibility is an asset 13:22: Freelancing vs the gig economy 15:44: All bets are on the table #freelancing #jobmarket #AI #GenZ #careerpaths #lifedesign #economicadaptability #specializedknowledge #creativestrategy See show notes: https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a133daf3d534f0b764c37be [https://inlet.fm/denee/episodes/6a133daf3d534f0b764c37be] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]