Name: Morgan Mandriota

Current Location: Long Island, NY

Birth Place: Long Island, NY

Gig: Freelance Writer

Bio

Hi! My name is Morgan, and I’m a freelance writer who writes articles about sex, relationships, health, wellness, and travel for some of your favorite websites. You’ve probably read my work in Betches, Cosmopolitan, Tinder, SHAPE, Health, Well+Good, and a bunch of other awesome publications. My self-employed career has brought me to nude sex resorts in Jamaica, wellness excursions in Aruba, launch parties in LA, and, most importantly, closer to living my dream. Hell, I AM living my dream.

Oh, and when I’m not writing, I love traveling, eating tacos, drinking margaritas, training Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and using alllllll the CBD goodies. 

You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @morganmandriota or check out my website for more info about my work at hawkandpearl.com.

Tell us about your career path. When did you start writing? Do you read?

I graduated college with a BA in English and minors in psychology and speech communications in 2014. Everyone joked and said I’d wind up working at Starbucks with a degree in English. Fast forward a few years, and I do work in coffee shops now... but as my own boss writing articles for some of the biggest names in media. I’m also happy and thriving as fuck doing it. So take that, haters.

Before this, though, I was a bartender, a content writer at a digital marketing company, and a project manager at a software development company. Nothing has given me as much happiness and fulfillment as being self-employed and writing full-time, though. I have a longer list of milestones that led me to where I am today on the about page of my website.

And ugh. I don’t read as much as I should. I have a ton of books on my to-read list that I’ll get to eventually. I mainly chill by the water or hang with friends when I have down time.

Do you have a side gig or a blog?

I have two websites! 1) hawkandpearl.com, which is my portfolio site. 2) highlyuntamed.com, which is my passion project (more on that below).

What makes you a boss?

I work on my own terms, but I’m a team player. I give a shit about those I work with. I always meet my deadlines, help my clients as best I can, and try to make everyone’s jobs easier by being a kind, responsive, and hard worker. I also try to make things more fun/casual – I literally sign some of my emails with “xo” and hearts and kiss emojis lol. I’m still professional AF though, so whatever.

Proudest moment in your career AND personal life?

Career? Whenever I score new bylines. Seeing my name published on Cosmopolitan and Tinder for the first time was absolutely unreal. Also whenever someone introduces me to someone new as a “famous journalist” (which I definitely don’t believe I am, but I’ll take it).  Personal? Starting therapy. I may work for myself, but I don’t always work ON myself. Sometimes I struggle to turn off work mode and become a normal human, which, at times, has skyrocketed my anxiety. I’m beyond proud of myself for seeking help when I needed it. THERAPY IS INCREDIBLE. 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND. PLEASE GO.

Lowest point?

In December 2018, I lost two of my biggest clients who made up the majority of my income, and I struggled for a while to come back from that. I was living on my own in a one bedroom apartment at the time and had like $200 coming in every month, so I completely depleted the money I had in my savings account. I had to call my landlord crying in late March to tell him I needed to cut out of my lease six months early to move back in with my parents. Thankfully he was understanding and I moved out of my own place within a week and back in with my mom and dad (which took a huge hit to my mental and emotional health). I was also in a toxic relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner who would constantly manipulate and gaslight me (which obviously didn’t help). I didn’t love myself, I couldn’t afford my independence anymore, and I couldn’t imagine going back to work full-time so I felt completely lost. Looking back, I’m grateful for that low point because I was able to hit a hard reset button, find myself through that period of darkness, and bounce back higher than ever before.

Most famous quote? It can be something you're famous for saying or a philosophy you live by.

I always say everything happens for a reason, and what’s meant to be will be. Things don’t always make sense when you’re in the heat of the moment, but when you look back you can almost always piece the puzzle together and realize that what happened played out exactly the way it was supposed to to lead you to where (and who) you were supposed to be today. 

Why should everyone have a #LadyTribe to lean on?

We’re badass, strong, incredible, and never give ourselves as much credit as we should. We need a strong community of ladies (and non-binary folks!) around us to cheer us up when we’re down, to shit talk when we need to rant or vent, and to remind us who the fuck we are when we forget. 

What passion project are you working on right now?

Highly Untamed is my passion project! It’s a digital publication about “taboo” subjects like sex, relationships, cannabis, and health (that shouldn’t be considered “taboo”). It’s also the name of the NSFW lifestyle podcast I’m launching in 2020. I’m so busy with my full-time writing career that I haven’t put as much energy as I’d like into it yet, but you can follow along at highlyuntamed.com and @highlyuntamed on Twitter and Instagram. 

What's your next big move?

Adopt a dog and convert a van into a home so I can travel the country full-time in a tiny space, preferably with a partner. On that note, I’m also working on getting into a stable, loving relationship instead of wasting time on fuckboys. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

What is the hardest decision you've ever had to make?

Forcing myself out of my comfort zone by letting go of everything that didn’t serve my highest good or make me happy anymore. Cutting dead weight is never easy, but how the hell are we supposed to fly when we’re being held down? It’s never easy in the process, but it’s always worth it so you can clear space for who and what is better meant for you at the time. 

Rapid Response Questions:

Spirit Animal? Hawk.

Why? They show up whenever I need a sign. My dad also taught me to look out for them as a kid, so they’ve always been my source of confirmation, reassurance, strength, and guidance.

Favorite Color? Black. Yes, it’s a color. Fight me. 

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Gratitude. 

Do you love yourself? Yes, but not as much as I should. I’m in therapy working on that, though. Oof, I’m going to start crying. Take care of yourself, friends. You’re worth it, even when you don’t feel like you are. xo