From Issue 102 — Black Americana
Grit, Delusion, and 1099’s. Because in New York, stability is just another accessory.
It takes a special blend of grit, charm, and just the right amount of delusion to make it as a freelancer in New York City. Carrie Bradshaw nailed it when she said, “Welcome to New York — It’s really just a bunch of people trying to not get kicked out of their apartments.” Staying afloat here is a success. Being a success? That’s practically a miracle, and a testament to the fact that you never stopped showing up.
I’ve been freelancing, gig working, and hustling in New York for nearly a decade, and it’s taken me a while to get comfortable with the chaos of a non-linear life. Luckily it started getting easier once I stopped clinging to a single professional identity and started trying things that genuinely interested me. For many creatives (especially those who invested years and thousands of dollars into a degree) shifting energy away from “The Dream” can feel like failure. But here’s the truth: that feeling may be real, but the failure? That’s fiction.
In my early 20s, I was tunnel-visioned and, frankly, missing out on opportunities that I actually wanted. I’d obsess over curating the perfect answer to that dreaded dinner party question: “So, what do you do?” Do I tell them what I studied, even though I haven’t booked a job in that field in six months? Do I just say what I want to do but haven’t broken into yet? Do I just mutter “struggling artist” and change the subject? This question launches me into such mental acrobatics, I half expect Simone Biles to slow clap from the sidelines. One game-changing shift for me was rephrasing the question entirely. Instead of asking (or answering) “What do you do?” I started using “What are you working on?” It opens up the conversation, dials down the pressure, and invites people to talk about their passions, not just their paychecks.
So, what am I working on? I’m an actor. A storyteller. A commercial and print model. A full-time fitness coach at three different companies with my own private clients. A freelance painter. A host and sales rep for a national watch convention. And now, a writer for Karjaka Magazine. When I filed my taxes this year, my accountant looked at me and said, “You’re my nightmare client.” My advice to any creative staring down the unstable terrain of a freelance life: Be your accountant’s worst nightmare. Say yes. Do the weird gig. Keep the dream alive, sure, but let other things in, too. Finesse a life where five different irons are in the fire and you’re okay with them heating up at their own pace. As a wise woman once said, “If you’re not scared, you’re not taking a chance. And if you’re not taking a chance, then what the hell are you doing?” And yes, in case you’re wondering, I did start and end this article with quotes from Sex and the City. Happy hustling!
