My Side Hustle Fails (and a Few Wins!)
The Allure of the Side Hustle: Is It Really Worth It?
Okay, let’s be real. The internet is plastered with success stories about people making bank with side hustles. Passive income this, six figures that. It’s enough to make you think you’re failing if you *don’t* have at least three income streams besides your 9-to-5. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? Honestly, my experience has been a rollercoaster. A slightly rickety, sometimes nauseating rollercoaster, but a rollercoaster nonetheless. I’ve dipped my toes into everything from freelance writing (which, ironically, I’m kind of doing now, only for myself!) to trying to sell handmade jewelry on Etsy. The jewelry thing? Epic fail. More on that later.
So, the allure is definitely there – the idea of financial freedom, of being your own boss, of escaping the soul-crushing monotony of a job you hate. But I’m here to tell you, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There’s the late nights, the constant learning curve, and the ever-present fear that you’re just wasting your time. I mean, who hasn’t felt that pang of “am I good enough?” when staring at a blank screen, trying to conjure up a catchy product description or a witty blog post? It’s tough. But… and it’s a big but… it can also be incredibly rewarding.
My First (and Last) Attempt at Jewelry Making
Remember that jewelry thing I mentioned? Ugh, what a mess! I envisioned myself as this crafty entrepreneur, churning out beautiful, unique pieces that would fly off the virtual shelves. I bought all the supplies: beads, wires, pliers, even a fancy little light box for taking pictures. I was so excited! I spent hours crafting, painstakingly arranging beads and trying to create designs that were both aesthetically pleasing and, you know, structurally sound. Turns out, I have zero natural talent for jewelry making.
My creations looked… well, let’s just say they looked like something a toddler made in art class. Uneven, clunky, and definitely not worth the exorbitant prices I was hoping to charge. I listed a few items on Etsy, braced myself for the flood of orders, and… crickets. Absolutely nothing. I even tried running a small ad campaign, but that just resulted in a few pity clicks and a growing sense of despair. After a month of zero sales, I packed up all my supplies and shoved them in a box in the attic. That box is probably still up there. The whole thing was a humbling (and expensive!) experience. I definitely learned that sticking to my strengths is probably a better strategy.
Freelance Writing: A Mixed Bag of Blessings
After the jewelry disaster, I decided to try something a little more in my wheelhouse: freelance writing. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I figured, hey, someone’s gotta write all those articles and blog posts, right? Turns out, getting started is the hardest part. I spent hours scouring job boards, sending out countless proposals, and getting mostly ignored. I felt like I was shouting into the void.
But then, finally, a breakthrough! I landed a small gig writing product descriptions for an online store. The pay wasn’t great, but it was a start. And from there, slowly but surely, I started to build my portfolio and gain some experience. I even managed to snag a few higher-paying clients along the way. The funny thing is, I’m now essentially doing the same thing, but for my own blog. Talk about coming full circle. It’s still a side hustle for me, since I have a full-time day job, but it’s definitely something I enjoy.
The Importance of Finding the Right Fit
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? I think the most important thing I’ve learned is that not every side hustle is right for everyone. You have to find something that aligns with your skills, your interests, and your lifestyle. Trying to force yourself to do something you hate, just for the sake of making money, is a recipe for burnout and disappointment. I mean, I *could* probably learn how to code and become a web developer, but honestly, the thought of staring at lines of code all day makes my brain hurt. It’s just not for me.
And that’s okay! There are so many different options out there. Whether it’s freelance writing, graphic design, virtual assistant work, online tutoring, or even something completely off the wall like dog walking or selling vintage clothes on eBay, there’s a side hustle out there for everyone. The key is to experiment, to try different things, and to be willing to fail along the way.
My Biggest Regret: Selling Bitcoin Too Early
Okay, this one still stings. Back in 2017, when Bitcoin was all the rage, I decided to dip my toes into the cryptocurrency world. I bought a small amount of Bitcoin (I think it was around $100 worth) on Coinbase, just to see what all the fuss was about. For a while, it just sat there, doing nothing. Then, all of a sudden, the price started to skyrocket. I watched in amazement as my $100 investment turned into $500, then $1000, then even more. I was ecstatic!
But then, the inevitable happened. The price started to drop. And I panicked. I thought, “Oh no, it’s all going to disappear!” So, I sold. I sold all my Bitcoin for a profit of around $800. Which, at the time, seemed like a huge win. Ugh. Talk about a shortsighted decision. If I had just held onto that Bitcoin, even for a few more years, I would be sitting on a small fortune right now. It’s a lesson learned, though. A painful, expensive lesson. But a lesson nonetheless.
Avoiding Burnout: Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care
One of the biggest challenges of having a side hustle is avoiding burnout. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and grind, especially when you’re trying to make extra money. But it’s important to remember that you’re only human. You can’t work 24/7 without eventually crashing and burning.
Setting boundaries is crucial. That means setting specific hours for your side hustle and sticking to them, even when you’re tempted to work late. It also means learning to say no to projects or clients that don’t align with your goals or your values. And, most importantly, it means prioritizing self-care. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and spending time with loved ones. Because if you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your side hustle. Honestly, this is something I still struggle with. I tend to get hyper-focused and forget to eat or sleep. But I’m working on it!
The Future of My Side Hustle Journey: What’s Next?
So, what’s next for me and my side hustle journey? I’m not entirely sure. I plan to keep writing, both for clients and for my own blog. I might even explore some other avenues, like creating online courses or writing an e-book. Who even knows what’s next? The possibilities are endless!
But whatever I do, I’m going to try to approach it with a sense of curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a healthy dose of self-compassion. Because the truth is, side hustles are hard. They require a lot of time, effort, and dedication. But they can also be incredibly rewarding, both financially and personally. And that, I think, makes it all worth it.
