“Have you ever had that great urge or that advice to convert your hobby into a job?”
Does this sound familiar? I’m sure you or someone you know has received these remarks as ‘unsolicited advise’. Is it, however, always effective? Or does your activity stop being a joyful experience when it transforms into a continuous source of income?
The drive to transform hobbies into side hustles has increased since the Great Recession hit over a decade ago, and the risk intensified with the recent pandemic. With the sharing economy, the gig economy, and the ever-expanding freelancing landscape, it appears that whatever you do for enjoyment can and should be monetized. Career satisfaction, according to our society, is a vital component of success. So, if you enjoy something, should you pursue it professionally? The decision to start making money from a hobby is worth it?
Is turning a hobby into a hustle fruitful?
The performance world in which we live and breathe has recently promoted the concept of converting a pastime into a full-fledged business or side hustle. Which, to some extent, is correct.
For example, during the pandemic era, when people were stranded at home, many people opted to utilize their leisure time to turn their interests into side hustles and earn additional money. While this deliberate decision provided financial security to many, it also became a source of contention.
5 Signs of clarity before you turn Your Hobby Into a Side Hustle.
The thing to focus on is to carefully consider what genuinely floats your boat and saves you from drowning financially. So, before you decide to drain the passion from your dream project and set up an internet website to sell your creativity, or if you’re thinking about profiting from your passion project, here are five red signs to look out for.
If your hobby cannot pay your bills, rethink before monetizing it.
Consider turning your hobby into your job and relying on gigs, customers, and clients to keep the lights on and food on the table. Imagine if it became difficult. What if you weren’t earning enough and had to take on another part-time job? Would you be resentful of your passion? Would you be disappointed if you couldn’t meet a specific level of living? If you have a feeling the answer is “yes,” you should make your passion your pastime and earn a living doing something different.
Is it your hobby, or just of pleasure of the moment?
Consider your favorite vacation spot. Then imagine yourselves picking up and moving to that location. It may feel amazing at first, but you rapidly realize you no longer have a favorite vacation place to get away from it all from time to time. The same idea. If your pastime is a great stress reliever and getaway for you, you might consider holding that holy space and letting it be just that.
So, just because you have a great holiday vacation doesn’t mean there is a hidden travel blogger inside you. Sometimes, what you consider a hobby is just a mere escape from the monotonous job profile of daily life. Therefore, before leaving your paid job and entering into something artistic, rethink your interest accordingly.
‘Do What You Love’ – or don’t! – You have heard many mouths encourage you that you should do what you love” while reading through your Instagram feed. Or you must have a collection of inspiring anecdotes in which company owners describe how they turned a childhood passion into a successful corporate enterprise. But no one mentions those who failed and realized it wasn’t such a good idea after all. The chance exists that the border between your personal and work lives may blur, and you will feel pressure to do better than others. What if that depletes your creative outlet and causes you to feel the same work stress?
Will the pleasure from the hobby fade?
There was a complete 180-degree turn from freedom to responsibility. We pursue a pastime because it allows us to escape from our regular routines. After a long day at work, simply penning a few words on your blog, humming your favorite melodies, taking picturesque photos, or playing the guitar is a great way to unwind. It’s not a sign to scrutinize your hobby and seek affirmation.
Finally, the bottom line.
Not every hobby has the potential to generate an income comparable to, or even close to, that of conventional full-time employment. Is it possible, especially in today’s economic climate, to rely only on your hobby to pay your medical costs or live the opulent lifestyle that this generation is accustomed to? Is your creative ability even employable anymore? Needless to say, at some point in our lives, we have all stood at a crossroads between pastime and hustle. And at that very moment, our mind is flooded with ‘Why’s and Why not,’ making it difficult to make a decision.
Also, if you wind up turning your pastime into a job, search for more opportunities. Something similarly satisfying. Something that allows you to make mistakes without fear of repercussions. Only in this manner can you flourish in your profession while also making time to indulge in an activity that completely relaxes your mind and body. To win some, you must replace some.
Edited by Prakriti Arora
