So, you’re thinking about starting a side hustle, huh? I get it. The allure of extra cash, the promise of financial freedom…it’s tempting. Honestly, I was right there with you a few months ago. I pictured myself raking in the dough, sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere thanks to my brilliant entrepreneurial skills. Reality, as it often does, had other plans.
The Initial Spark: Why I Needed a Side Hustle (Or Thought I Did)
My nine-to-five is…fine. It pays the bills. But “fine” isn’t exactly inspiring, is it? Plus, I had this burning desire to do something *more*, something that felt truly mine. And let’s be real, the siren song of “passive income” on Instagram was getting to me. Everyone seemed to be effortlessly making money while I was stuck in endless meetings.
I also had some very specific financial goals. I really, REALLY want to travel to Japan next year. Like, ramen-every-day, explore-every-temple kind of travel. And that doesn’t come cheap. Plus, I’ve been eyeing this vintage record player for ages… so, yeah, ambition, boredom, and a healthy dose of consumerism fueled my side hustle dreams.
My First Attempt: The Etsy Debacle
Ugh, where do I even begin? I thought, “I’m crafty! I can make cute things and sell them online!” Famous last words, right? I decided to sell handmade jewelry on Etsy. I spent weeks learning about SEO, taking product photos (which, let me tell you, is harder than it looks), and figuring out shipping.
I even splurged on a fancy light box to take professional-looking pics. The jewelry itself? Let’s just say it was…unique. Maybe a little too unique. My friends and family politely said they were “interesting.”
I launched my shop with a grand total of five items and waited. And waited. And waited. Crickets. Seriously, the only notifications I got were spam emails promising to make me a millionaire overnight. The worst part? All the time I spent crafting could have been spent binge-watching my favorite shows. Was I the only one who thought Etsy was going to be easy money? Ugh. What a mess!
Pivoting (and Panicking): Freelance Writing to the Rescue?
After the Etsy fiasco, I was feeling pretty discouraged. I almost gave up on the whole side hustle thing entirely. But then, a friend suggested freelance writing. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I figured, “Hey, I can string sentences together. Why not?”
I signed up for a few freelance platforms, created a profile, and started bidding on projects. The first few weeks were brutal. I was competing against hundreds of other writers, many of whom seemed to have PhDs in everything. I landed a few gigs writing product descriptions for a pet supply company. Not exactly glamorous, but it was a start.
I remember one project where I had to write about different types of dog food. I stayed up until 2 a.m. researching ingredients and trying to make kibble sound exciting. Honestly, I think I even started dreaming about dog food.
The Unexpected Upsides (and Downsides) of Freelancing
Freelance writing definitely had its perks. I could work from home, set my own hours (sort of), and learn about all sorts of random topics. Plus, the money was…okay. It wasn’t quit-your-day-job money, but it was enough to cover a few extra expenses and put a dent in my Japan fund.
However, the feast-or-famine cycle was exhausting. Some weeks, I was drowning in work. Other weeks, I couldn’t find a single project. And chasing down clients for payment? Don’t even get me started. There were a few times I seriously considered sending carrier pigeons with strongly worded letters. Plus, the taxes! Oh god, the taxes. I definitely wasn’t prepared for self-employment taxes. That was a rude awakening.
My Biggest Mistake: Not Knowing My Worth
Looking back, my biggest mistake was undercharging for my services. I was so desperate for work that I accepted ridiculously low rates. I was basically working for pennies, and it completely burned me out.
I remember one particular client who kept demanding revisions and adding extra tasks to the project. I was too afraid to say no, because I didn’t want to lose the gig. I ended up working late nights and weekends, just to make them happy. Honestly, I felt like I was being taken advantage of. It taught me a valuable lesson: Know your worth and don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve. It’s okay to say no!
Current Status: A Side Hustle Intermission
So, where am I now? Well, I’ve put the freelance writing on pause for the moment. I needed a break. The burnout was real. I’m not saying I’ll never go back to it, but right now, I’m focusing on other things.
I’m actually taking an online course in web development. Who even knows what’s next? Maybe I’ll become a coding guru and create the next viral app. Or maybe I’ll just use my newfound skills to build a website for my cat. The possibilities are endless.
If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into different online course platforms like Coursera or Udemy. They have tons of options for learning new skills.
Advice (from Someone Who’s Been There)
If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle, here’s my advice, based on my own somewhat chaotic experience:
- Do your research. Don’t just jump into something because it sounds easy or lucrative.
- Start small. Don’t quit your day job just yet. Test the waters first and see if the side hustle is actually something you enjoy.
- Be realistic. Making money takes time and effort. Don’t expect to get rich overnight.
- Set boundaries. Protect your time and energy. Don’t let your side hustle consume your life.
- Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the learning process. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again.
- Know your worth! Seriously, this is the most important thing. Don’t undervalue your skills and services.
The Side Hustle Takeaway: Was it Worth It?
So, was it all worth it? Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure. I didn’t make a fortune. I definitely didn’t achieve my passive income dreams. I probably spent more money on supplies and software than I actually earned.
But, I learned a lot. I learned about SEO, marketing, customer service, and the joys of self-employment. I also learned a lot about myself. I discovered that I’m more resilient than I thought. And I learned that it’s okay to try things, fail, and try something else.
Maybe one day I will conquer the side hustle world. Maybe not. But either way, I’m grateful for the experience. And hey, at least I have a few good stories to tell.
