Rethinking the Side Hustle: When Not to Monetize Your Passion

In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of a side hustle has become more than just a trend; it’s a lifestyle for many, especially millennials. While there are undeniable benefits to pursuing side hustles, it’s crucial to pause and consider why monetizing every hobby might not always be the best path.

For me the eye-opening moment came when I read Anne Helen Petersen’s insightful book, “Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation.”

The Allure of Side Hustle

The side hustle is often glorified as the ultimate blend of passion and profitability. For many millennials, it represents a way to escape the 9-to-5 grind, offering a promise of financial freedom and the joy of doing what one loves.

In an era of economic uncertainties and rising living costs, side hustles present an attractive opportunity, especially for financial empowerment. They offer a way to supplement income, save for future goals, or pay off debts. This financial aspect is particularly crucial for millennials, many of whom entered the workforce during economic downturns and face unique financial challenges.

The Burnout Generation – Insights from “Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation”

Petersen describes millennial burnout as a chronic state of stress and exhaustion that isn’t necessarily tied to specific events or challenges. It’s a continuous feeling of being overwhelmed, resulting from the relentless pursuit of work and productivity. This concept is essential in understanding why millennials, in particular, gravitate towards side hustles and how these endeavors can contribute to or alleviate this burnout.

Millennials basically have become synonymous with burnout. This generation has been conditioned to value busyness and productivity above all else. Raised as CV, where every additional after-school activity was viewed as means to increase their attractiveness to employer, conditioned Millennials to find their worth and identity in their work. That combined with constant connectivity contributed to widespread burnout among Millennials.

Another important element is Millennials’ perception of success and fulfillment. Social media platforms are often flooded with stories of successful side hustles, creating an illusion that such success is easily attainable and essential for a fulfilling life. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and increased pressure to engage in side hustles.

The Downsides of Monetizing Every Hobby

There is an interesting study from 1973, which is cited to this day in relation to monetizing hobbies or activities that people initially do for pleasure.

The researchers (Mark R. Lepper, David Greene, and Richard E. Nisbett) focused on children who enjoyed playing with magic markers. They divided these children into three groups: one was promised a reward (a good-player certificate) for drawing, another group was given a reward unexpectedly after drawing, and the last group was neither promised nor given any reward. After the drawing session, the children’s subsequent play behavior was observed.

The study found that the children who were promised a reward for drawing were less likely to engage with the markers in their free time compared to the other groups. This outcome suggests that introducing an external reward for an activity that was initially driven by intrinsic (innate) interest can diminish that interest. This phenomenon, known as the overjustification effect, highlights a critical aspect of human motivation: when a task we enjoy is tied to external incentives like money, it can reduce the pleasure and satisfaction we derive from it.

For the longest time, I dreamed of becoming a Barre instructor. There’s something magical about Barre, a beautiful blend of ballet and pilates, that always captivated me. The idea of getting certified and leading my own classes one day seemed like a natural next step. Only recently, not long after I read the “Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation” book, I decided against it.

During one of the classes, it hit me. What I truly love about Barre is being a participant, immersing myself in the exercises, and noticing the progress from consistent practice. Watching the instructor, I realised: teaching Barre meant I’d be demonstrating but not fully engaging in the workout. That insight was a game changer for me.

I decided then and there to cherish my Barre classes as they are — a source of personal joy and fulfillment, unburdened by the responsibilities of turning it into side-hustle.

The Need for Unproductive Hobbies

There’s growing recognition of the importance of downtime for mental health. Engaging in hobbies without the pressure to monetize can be incredibly therapeutic. It allows the mind to wander, relax, and rejuvenate.

Cal Newport’s “Digital Minimalism” offers valuable perspectives that align well with this theme, especially in terms of quality of life and mental health.

Newport advocates for high-quality leisure activities that promote skill development and deep satisfaction, as opposed to passive consumption (phone usage). When hobbies remain hobbies, they can be a source of high-quality leisure. They provide a platform for developing skills and experiencing deep joy, rather than being just another task or job.

Newport also emphasizes the importance of solitude, which he defines as a state where you are free from input from other minds. In our hyper-connected world, finding time for solitude is challenging but crucial. It allows for self-reflection and helps in decompressing from the constant information overload. This principle applies to our hobbies as well; when we engage in activities without the distraction of monetization or social media validation, we reclaim a sense of personal space and peace.

To Monetize Your Side Hustle or Not?

It’s important to remember why we took up a hobby in the first place – for enjoyment, relaxation, or personal growth. Keeping these pursuits just for pleasure can be more rewarding than any income they might generate. When we engage in activities without the pressure of monetization, we allow ourselves the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and savor the process, which is often lost when a hobby turns into a job. This approach helps preserve the initial curiosity and joy that drew you to the hobby.

Deciding whether to monetize a hobby should involve careful consideration of the potential impact on one’s quality of life. It’s okay to choose peace and personal joy over profit. Sometimes, the satisfaction and stress relief that hobbies provide are worth much more than the potential income they could bring in.

We must learn to recognize the value of leisure and unstructured time. It’s essential for maintaining creativity, happiness, and overall well-being. This means giving ourselves permission to engage in activities with no end goal in sight, other than our own pleasure and satisfaction. In a world that constantly values output and productivity, embracing hobbies for their own sake is a radical act of self-care and a declaration of our right to joy.

Embracing Balance in Our Lives

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, it’s vital to remember the importance of maintaining hobbies for personal joy and mental health. Drawing from Anne Helen Petersen’s “Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation,” we see the pitfalls of a culture obsessed with monetizing every aspect of life. It’s about finding a balance between work, side hustles, and leisure – understanding that not every passion needs a price tag.