8 Books to Read Before Going Full-Time Freelance

1. The I-Land (2019)

The I-Land has been compared to Lost, and it's a comparison that (somewhat) rings true. 10 people wake up on an island with one another...and without their memories. Unfortunately the 8 percent RT score proves this series missed the mark. "I-Land was terrible acting, just nothing redeemable," one Reddit user says. "They even green screened most of the beach scenes."

The I-Land stars Kate Bosworth, Ronald Peet, Michelle Veintimilla, Sibylla Deen, Gilles Geary, Kota Eberhardt, and Kyle Schmid.

2. Girlboss (2017)

Sophia Amoruso might be rebellious and creative, but Netflix watchers aren't a fan of this TV show (and it has nothing to do with the fact we're in the post-girlboss era). "Some of the outfits were really cool but the main character was absolutely insufferable and had no redeeming qualities," one Reddit user points out.

The show, which follows Sophia's rise to business woman through selling vintage clothes online, has a 35 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Girlboss stars Britt Robertson, Ellie Reed, Alphonso McAuley, Johnny Simmons, and Dean Norris.

3. Another Life (2019)

Another Life follows Niko, an astronaut on the hunt for AI. Except in this Netflix show, AI stands for alien intelligence. That means Niko and her crew are in for some serious alien danger, but unfortunately, according to the 6 percent RT score, that danger isn't enough to hook viewers.

Another Life stars Katee Sackhoff, Justin Chatwin, Samuel Anderson, Blu Hunt, A.J. Rivera, Jake Abel, Alex Ozerov, Alexander Eling, Jay R Tinaco, Lina Renna, Selma Blair, and Elizabeth Ludlow.

4. Sex/Life (2021)

Viewers consider Sex/Life — which follows a love triangle between a woman, her husband, and a special someone from her past — to be one of the worst Netflix shows because "the acting and the writing was so, so, so bad," according to a Reddit user. "It was so corny and felt like fan fiction." And the 40 percent RT score agrees.

Sex/Life stars Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel, Adam Demos, Margaret Odette, Cleo Anthony, and Darius Homayoun.

5. Echoes (2022)

Leni and Gina are identical twins who have secretly swapped lives since childhood. But everything about their perfectly-curated double lives spirals when one sister goes missing. Sound gripping? The RT score of 22 percent says otherwise.

Echoes stars Michelle Monaghan, Matt Bomer, Daniel Sunjata, Ali Stroker, Karen Robinson, Rosanny Zayas, Michael O'Neill, Celia Weston, Gable Swanlund, and Jonathan Tucker.

6. Blockbuster (2023)

Blockbuster stars fan favorite actors like Melissa Fumero and Randall Park. But not even the incredible cast could save this Netflix show, which follows the last Blockbuster video store in the country, from a 23 percent RT score.

Blockbuster stars Randall Park, Melissa Fumero, Olga Merediz, Tyler Alvarez, and Madeleine Arthur.

7. Insatiable (2018)

In Insatiable, a recently-thin Patty is out for revenge on anyone who ever fat-shamed her, and a beauty pageant sounds like a great place to start. The show has a 12 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and one Reddit user says they "can’t name one good thing about it." Yikes.

Insatiable stars Dallas Roberts, Debby Ryan, Christopher Gorham, Sarah Colonna, Erinn Westbrook, Kimmy Shields, Michael Provost, Irene Choi, Alyssa Milano, and Arden Myrin.

8. 13 Reasons Why (2017)

This Netflix show might have been an iconic pop culture moment, but the 35 percent RT rating shows it's not necessarily an enjoyable one. The series follows Clay, who receives 13 voice tapes from a girl named Hannah after she takes her own life — and each tape details one reason she ended her life.

13 Reasons Why stars Dylan Minnette, Katherine Langford, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Justin Prentice, Miles Heizer, Ross Butler, Devin Druid, Amy Hargreaves, Derek Luke, Kate Walsh, Brian d'Arcy James, Grace Saif, Brenda Strong, Timothy Granaderos, Mark Pellegrino, Tyler Barnhardt, Jan Luis Castellanos, Deaken Bluman, and Gary Sinise.

1. Meal prep. First and foremost, meal prepping makes eating healthy throughout the week significantly easier. This is especially true if you work full time. Meal prepping doesn’t have to be a multi-hour, day-long process either. Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks for keeping it quick:

• Meal-prep your breakfasts by creating ready-to-go smoothies. Slice up whatever fruit and veggies you like to use and place them, along with any other mix-ins, into a ziplock bag. Store in the freezer. Each morning, all you need to do is add the contents of the bag along with water or milk to your blender and hit go.
• Batch-cook your proteins for the week by laying 5-6 servings of meat on a baking sheet. Cook in the oven and store in the fridge, and then reheat throughout the week.
• Cook a huge batch of rice or quinoa as a base for convenient, ready-to-go healthy sides.
• Pre-slice any veggies you use tend to use often so you don't have to slice them up as you cook throughout the week. Common combos include mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery), sofrito (onion, garlic, tomato, bell pepper), and the Cajun “holy trinity" (onion, bell pepper, celery).

2. Organize your planner. Whether you use a day planner or a bullet journal, take 30 minutes or so to get everything organized for the week. Write in any appointments, plans, or projects you have on the horizon, and section off as much time as you'll need to get everything done. You can also use your planner to make grocery lists, track habits you want to accomplish each day, and schedule relaxation time.

3. Set goals. While you're working in your planner, set some goals for the week. Make sure they are timely things you can actually accomplish before the following Sunday: When you set unattainable goals, you only stress yourself out. In your planner, break down concrete steps and actions to take to ensure you achieve those weekly goals.

4. Clean out your bag. Too many of us start the week with last weekend's receipts, wrappers, scraps, movie tickets, and god-knows-what-else in our bags. Give yourself an organized start to the week and stay ahead of the mess by cleaning out your purse.

5. Pick out your outfits. Take a glance at the weather forecast, and use it to inform what outfits you want to wear on each day of the week. Even if you're WFH these days, having outfits all picked out will keep you feeling both comfy and ready to crush the day each day. You can either fold each outfit and arrange them side by side, our plan the outfits in an app like Stylebook.

6. Call an accountability partner. Pick a person — be it your mom, your best friend, or your SO — who will be an uplifting force in your life and help you stay focused as the week goes on. Agree to check in on each other mid-week to see how each other is doing and help gently remind each other of the goals you both want to accomplish. This should be a person who can also lend a friendly ear if you need to vent about your passion project, your coworker, or your creative blocks.

Hanes SuperSoft 2-Piece Lounge Set

This $14 (was $27) lounge set comes with two super-soft separates that boast a roomy fit, so you can relax in total comfort.

Promising review: "I haven’t bought any Hanes products for myself before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with these pjs. They’re so comfy and cozy, the fabric is so soft. I ordered my normal size and they fit perfectly. The oversized boxy tee with the oversized shorts work great for hot summer nights. They’re not a heavyweight cotton but not flimsy and thin either; like a typical cotton tee. They washed well and I never put my clothes in the dryer in an effort to extend the life of my clothing. They’re a good quality for the price."

Anrabess Overalls

Actually cute overalls? For just $20?! Wowza. This adjustable pair is such fun one-and-done outfit idea to keep close during spring and summer. We love to wear ours over tank tops and tees alike!

Promising review: "Really cute short overalls! Fits as suggested. I’m 5’4”, 140 lbs, and I have thick thighs. The leg openings are fairly wide even on me. I’m not a youngster anymore and appreciate that these aren’t short shorts. I washed them and the material and straps came out smooth. Nice material held its shape and no shrinkage."

FashionPuzzle Small Crescent Shoulder Bag

This $20 (was $27) shoulder bag makes a great wear-everywhere accessory, especially if you're looking for a playful pop of color! You can find it in 19 more colors to suit your style.

Promising review: "This purse is a keeper. The size is perfect, not too small, not too big. I ordered two colors for my daughter. Colors were vibrant. The quality is good. She has been using for 2 months now with no quality problems. I would buy again."

Wiholl Cap Sleeve Top

Fit with some summery cap sleeves, this $9 (was $20) top is a wardrobe must-have for those warmer days. It's also shoppable in so many different solid colors to match your outfit plans!

Promising review: "I admit I did not have high hopes for this top but I was genuinely surprised at the quality. Nice thick fabric that is not see through. Great on trend look for spring and summer."

The Gym People Full-Zip Up Hoodie

It's giving Lulu vibes for way less. This $20 (was $37) zip-up hoodie is easy to throw on and even easier to wear all day, thanks to its soft cotton construction. It's fitted with plenty of pockets and accented with seams throughout to give it a luxe look!

Promising review: "The material feels pretty thick and like it will hold up decently well. I think the cut is super flattering. Great value for the price!"

Anrabess Boxer Shorts

These stunning $9 (was $15) shorts are perfect for lounging around or heading out for errands in style. The gingham is undeniably on-trend right now – pair 'em with a white tank or graphic tee and sneakers, and you're set!

Promising review: "They are cute and comfy, I would size up though if you wanted more of an oversized look. They feel nice with a cute color. They aren’t see through, good quality for price and not too thick either so they are good for summer."

Trendy Queen Going Out Summer Tank Top

This is the most stunning top to take out on the town if you still want some good coverage! The boat neckline is nothing but trendy, plus it looks super sophisticated no matter what you pair it with. For just $12 (was $26) and 20 colors to shop from, this is a deal you can't miss for the sake of your closet.

Promising review: "These are terrific for any wardrobe. I loved them so much that I bought two. They fit nicely, are comfortable, and are great for wearing underneath a blazer, or alone. They are very versatile and slenderizing, hugging your waist."

Semaro Casual Linen High Waist Pants

Linen pants are an absolute staple for summer, and now's the perfect time get your outfits prepped and ready with this $17 (was $20) pair. The elastic waistband and breathable linen fabric make them a dream to wear. Comfy vibes only!

Promising review: "Very cool and comfortable for the upcoming warmer weather. Nice bright white. Elastic waist has waist tie to adjust for comfort. They look great on. Slightly wide leg and ankle. Will look great with summer tops. Can be fashionable for older or younger women. Did not shrink when washed in col water on delicate cycle. Air dried. Has a pretty linen texture. Not see through which can be an issue with some white materials."

Amazon Essentials Lightweight V-Neck Cardigan

This easy-wearing cardigan is practically begging for a place in your closet. Though basic, it'll pair well with pretty much everything! From jeans to dresses, if you're in need of a reliable light layering piece, this $15 pick is downright perfect.

Promising review: "Bought this cardigan to wear over a denim dress and other dresses. It is 55% cotton and true to size. Quality is great and feels very soft. If you like the traditional-cardigan look, give this one a try!"

Feisedy Vintage Aviator Sunglasses

A cute pair of sunnies never fails to make your 'fits pop. This $16 (was $23) pair is packed with vintage vibes to enhance any look.

Promising review: "Absolutely love these!! The style is fun, the color is amazing, and they actually look and feel high quality!"