So, I’ve been in this weird space lately, right? Feeling like I need… more. Not necessarily more *stuff*, but more *doing*. More… maybe purpose is too strong a word. More *something*. And that something, I think, is a side hustle. You know, something to scratch that itch that my 9-to-5 just isn’t reaching. But where to even start? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Or, you know, the maybe $500-a-month question, which is honestly more realistic. I’m not trying to quit my day job, just yet.
Brainstorming the Perfect Side Hustle (Or at Least a Decent One)
I spent way too much time scrolling through those “top 10 side hustles” articles. Ugh, they all sound so… generic. Like, “start a blog!” Okay, sure, but about what? And who’s even going to read it? Or “become a social media manager!” I barely manage my own Instagram, let alone someone else’s. It’s kind of like they’re written by robots or something. No offense to robots, if you’re reading this. (Are robots reading this? Who even knows what’s next?)
Honestly, the brainstorming phase was the hardest. I was stuck in this analysis paralysis, totally overwhelmed by the options. Should I try something creative? Something practical? Something that actually makes a decent amount of money? I even briefly considered becoming a dog walker, but then I remembered how terrified I am of big dogs. Nope. Scratch that. Plus, I’m pretty sure my neighbor is already dominating that market anyway. She’s got like, five dogs at a time, all happily trotting along. Mad respect, but not for me.
The Reselling Rabbit Hole: My eBay Experiment
Then, it hit me. I had a whole bunch of stuff just sitting in my closet, gathering dust. Clothes I hadn’t worn in years, old electronics, even some collectible figurines from my childhood (don’t judge!). Maybe I could try reselling? I’d heard stories of people making serious money on eBay and Poshmark. Seemed easy enough.
So, I started with eBay. I listed a designer handbag I’d bought on a whim and never used. It was in perfect condition, still had the tags on. I priced it reasonably, took some decent photos (or so I thought), and waited. And waited. And waited.
Days went by, and nothing. No bids, no offers, just… silence. Ugh. Was I the only one confused by this? I checked other listings for similar bags and realized my photos were terrible. The lighting was awful, the angles were unflattering, and the background was a mess. Rookie mistake, I know. I ended up relisting the bag with better photos and finally sold it for a decent price. Lesson learned: presentation matters! But it was way more work than I expected.
Freelance Writing: Can I Actually Get Paid to Write?
The eBay thing was okay, but it felt like too much effort for the reward. Plus, I hate packaging things. Seriously, the tape always gets stuck, and I end up covered in cardboard dust. So, I started exploring other options. And that’s when I stumbled upon freelance writing.
I’ve always enjoyed writing, even if I’m not particularly *good* at it. (Or maybe I am? I don’t know, imposter syndrome is real, people.) I figured, why not give it a shot? I mean, there are websites like Upwork and Fiverr where you can offer your services, right? Sounded easy enough. Famous last words, I know.
I created a profile on Upwork, highlighting my (limited) writing experience and offering my services for a ridiculously low price. I was basically giving it away. But hey, gotta start somewhere, right? I spent hours browsing through job postings, crafting proposals, and generally feeling like I was throwing my resume into a black hole. I think I sent out like, twenty proposals and heard back from… one.
My First Freelance Gig: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The one response I got was for a blog post about… wait for it… dog grooming. Seriously? Of all the topics in the world, I get dog grooming. I know absolutely nothing about dog grooming! But I was desperate, so I said yes. Big mistake? Maybe.
I spent the next few days researching dog grooming techniques, watching YouTube videos, and trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about. It was painful. I mean, who knew there were so many different types of dog brushes? Or that you’re supposed to express a dog’s anal glands? (Ugh, I still shudder thinking about that.)
I somehow managed to cobble together a halfway decent blog post and submitted it to the client. And then… more silence. I started to panic. Did they hate it? Was it the worst thing they’d ever read? Did I just ruin my chances of ever becoming a successful freelance writer? Drama queen, I know. But it’s how I felt.
Turns out, they were just busy. They finally got back to me a week later with some minor revisions. And then… they paid me! It wasn’t much, but it was enough to buy myself a celebratory coffee. Plus, it was proof that I could actually get paid to write! Even if it was about dog grooming.
Micro-Investing: Dipping My Toes in the Stock Market
Okay, so the freelance writing thing is a slow burn. I’m still working on building up my portfolio and finding clients who actually want to pay me what I’m worth. But in the meantime, I’ve been exploring other side hustle options. And that’s when I stumbled upon micro-investing.
I’d always been intimidated by the stock market. It seemed so complicated and risky. But then I heard about apps like Acorns and Stash that make it easy to invest small amounts of money. Like, literally just a few dollars at a time. I figured, what did I have to lose?
I downloaded Acorns and linked it to my bank account. The app automatically rounds up my purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. It’s kind of like a digital piggy bank. I also set up a recurring investment of $25 a week. It’s not much, but it’s a start.
I’m not expecting to get rich overnight, but it’s a way to put my money to work and hopefully earn some passive income over time. Plus, it’s kind of fun to watch my investments grow, even if it’s just by a few cents a day. I totally messed up by selling some stock too early in 2023, though. Lesson learned! Patience is key, or so they say.
The Etsy Adventure: Channeling My Inner Artist (Sort Of)
The micro-investing thing is more of a long-term play. I wanted something that could potentially generate some income in the short term. And that’s when I started thinking about Etsy.
I’m not exactly what you’d call an artist, but I do enjoy crafting. I like making handmade cards, knitting scarves, and dabbling in watercolor painting. I’m not particularly good at any of these things, but I find them relaxing. And hey, maybe someone out there would actually want to buy my creations?
I created an Etsy shop and started listing some of my handmade cards. I priced them low, hoping to attract some buyers. And… crickets. Again. Turns out, the Etsy marketplace is incredibly competitive. There are literally millions of other sellers, all vying for attention.
I realized I needed to do something to stand out. So, I started experimenting with different designs, taking better photos, and writing more compelling descriptions. I also started promoting my shop on social media. It’s slow going, but I’ve made a few sales. Enough to cover the cost of my supplies, at least. And hey, every little bit helps, right?
What’s Next? The Side Hustle Journey Continues
So, that’s where I’m at. I’m juggling a few different side hustles, trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t. The eBay thing is on pause for now (I need to declutter more!), the freelance writing is a slow but steady climb, the micro-investing is a long-term game, and the Etsy shop is a fun creative outlet.
I don’t know if I’ll ever strike it rich with a side hustle. But that’s not really the point. For me, it’s about learning new skills, challenging myself, and finding something that I’m passionate about. And maybe, just maybe, making a little extra money along the way.
If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle, my advice is to just go for it. Don’t be afraid to experiment, to fail, and to learn from your mistakes. And don’t let those “top 10 side hustles” articles intimidate you. Find something that you enjoy and that fits your skills and interests. And who knows, maybe you’ll stumble upon the perfect side hustle that changes your life. Or at least makes you enough money to buy a really nice cup of coffee. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into some online courses – they can be a great way to skill up for almost any hustle. Good luck! And tell me about your experiences! What have you tried?
