Not Every Hobby Should Be a Side Hustle

Spend 5 minutes on social media and you’ll likely feel the pressure to constantly be working and hustling. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that every hobby or interest should be turned into your next side hustle.

For one thing, turning a hobby into a side hustle is the easiest way to suck the joy and relaxation out of something you once loved. Hobbies are meant to be activities that we do for fun and fulfillment, not something that we stress about making money from. Turning a hobby into a side hustle risks making it just another task on our to-do list, making it feel like work instead of something enjoyable.

Resist that thought. Not every hobby needs to be monetized.

Secondly, not every hobby would even make a good business. Some hobbies are best enjoyed on a personal level and don’t have the potential to be profitable. It’s important to understand that just because something is enjoyable, it doesn’t mean it will make you money.

Also, it’s important to remember that some hobbies and interests are meant to be enjoyed in the moment, without the pressure of turning them into a sustained effort. For example, hobbies such as reading, painting, or hiking are all ways that we can unwind and recharge, and they don’t need to be turned into reviews, tutorials, or video diaries.

It’s also important to keep in mind the benefit of having something that *isn’t work.* Having hobbies separate from my work is what gives me balance between my professional and personal life.

Seriously, remember that not every hobby needs to be turned into a side hustle. Give yourself permission to simply enjoy something for what it is, in the moment, and on a personal level.