It feels like everyone has a side hustle these days. I still have one myself, but I don’t think they’re for everyone, and sometimes, it seems like they do more harm than good. I’ve been pursuing side hustles since I left high school over ten years ago through different jobs, including freelance writing, project management,…
It feels like everyone has a side hustle these days. I still have one myself, but I don’t think they’re for everyone, and sometimes, it seems like they do more harm than good.
I’ve been pursuing side hustles since I left high school over ten years ago through different jobs, including freelance writing, project management, dog walking, and virtual assistance work. While I think side hustles can be bad sometimes, I still recommend them because they helped me find out what kind of work I like to do and gave me independence from relying on jobs I didn’t enjoy.
I decided to write this article because I see so many people feeling guilty for not wanting a side hustle or overwhelmed by trying to juggle too many ways to make extra income. This post is for anyone who’s ever wondered if side hustles are really worth it – or how to enjoy them without burning out.
In today’s post, I’m sharing why I think side hustles can be bad, why I still do them, and what to do if you want to start a side hustle. I’ll also share what to do to make side hustles less overwhelming and easier to start.
Recommended reading: I’ve Done Over 20 Side Hustles in My Life: Here’s What I Think of Each
Why I Think Side Hustles Can Be Bad (And Why I Still Do Them)
Here’s why side hustles can be bad and why I still do them.
Note: Even though this article focuses on the downsides of side hustles, I still think they can be really good for many people. Side hustles can help you stop living paycheck to paycheck, pay off debt faster, tap into your creative side, and enjoy the flexibility to work when and how you want. For example, my sister paid off $40,000 in student loan debt in just seven months thanks to her side hustles! The truth is, everyone’s situation is different – what feels like a “problem” for one person might be a total benefit for someone else. So, I think it’s important to find a balance that works for you and manage the challenges before they turn into burnout or stress.
1. Low pay for high effort
The problem: Some side hustles may take a lot of effort for low pay, which can leave you feeling like the extra work just isn’t worth it.
What helps: Before starting a side hustle, ask yourself what your real goal is. If it’s to earn serious income, then focusing on higher-paying or skill-building opportunities will make the most sense. But if you’re just looking for something easy and low-stress, then low-paying but low-effort side hustles can still be a great fit. Not every side hustle has to be huge or life-changing – sometimes the small, easy ones are exactly what you need. But, I also understand that you don’t want to completely waste your time – so you will want to weigh the pros and cons of each side hustle that you’re interested in.
Recommended reading: 17 Low Effort Side Hustles That Can Make You Extra Money
2. Burnout
The problem: You keep pushing yourself to work more and make more money, but eventually, you get burnt out and exhausted. What once started as excitement is now dread or resentment. It’s very normal to get tired from your side hustle, as you may have limited time to yourself.
What helps: Pay attention to early signs that you’re on the path to burnout, such as irritability, being tired, and/or lack of focus. Take these as signs to pull back instead of pushing harder. You may even want to take a small break now to lower the chances of having a full burnout crash later.
3. Distraction from bigger goals
The problem: Having one or more side hustles can distract you from your goals in life because you’ll be too busy to realize it.
What helps: Check in with yourself every couple of months to see if what you’re doing aligns with your goals and the bigger picture. Side hustles can be really great if you’re trying to figure out what you want to do as a main job, and many side hustles can even become full-time jobs.
4. Tax headaches
The problem: Even though side hustles aren’t full-time jobs, you still need to pay taxes on them. This can make things more complicated once tax season rolls around.
What helps: Keep things organized year-round. Have a separate bank account for your side hustles, a monthly money check-in, and plan ahead by setting aside a percentage of each payment for taxes. And, get help from a professional when needed! There are great online tools to keep finances organized and simple for side hustles, like QuickBooks. Taxes don’t have to be hard for your side hustles, but so many people forget them. If you want to side hustle, then you need to think about taxes!
Recommended reading: Your Top 14 Tax Questions For Bloggers and Digital Nomads Answered
5. Unpredictable income
The problem: Side hustle income can be unpredictable, and you may not know how much you’ll make next month. Some months are great, and some months may not be.
What helps: Treat side hustle income as bonus money, not necessarily something you depend on (if that’s possible for you and your finances). That mindset can take off a lot of the pressure. After doing side hustles for a few months, you may see a pattern in side hustle income, and you may be able to rely on your side hustle a little better.
6. Financial risk
The problem: Depending on the side hustle you start, there may be some upfront costs like marketing, software, or other tools. Some side hustles are a lot more expensive than others, while some side gigs are free.
What helps: Set clear limits on how much you’re willing to spend on your side hustle in the beginning. Start small, track what’s working, and only invest more once you start seeing real results. I highly recommend you track your side hustle income and expenses to see what’s actually profitable (don’t just guess because you may forget some expenses!).
Recommended reading: 14 Side Hustles You Can Start With No Money
7. Physical toll
The problem: Once you start juggling a full-time job with side hustles or raising kids with side hustles, rest may be the first thing to go.
What helps: Schedule rest the same way you would schedule work. Schedule time or days off where you’re not doing any kind of work, and do things your brain and body enjoy.
8. Mental toll
The problem: Switching between a main job and raising kids to side hustles can become overwhelming. Even when you stop working, it may feel hard to rest.
What helps: Take mental breaks. This can be time without any screens at all, going on a long walk in a park, saying no to notifications, and just being bored. Quiet moments help you reset and get clarity again.
Recommended reading: How To Make More Money and Work Less
9. No boundaries
The problem: Side hustles can blur the line between personal life and work life. Unlike a regular 9-5 day, most side hustles can be done at any time, making it hard to keep a strict schedule in place.
What helps: Set clear work hours and treat your side hustle like an appointment. This respects your time. It may be surprising, but you get much more done when you have set work hours versus working all over the place. You may also want to carve out time for fun in your life, like hobbies, hanging out with friends, and rest.
10. Unrealistic promises
The problem: Side hustles can seem super promising or make it seem like you’re going to make a lot of money really fast, but that’s not always the case.
What helps: Set realistic goals and small wins for your side hustles. If a side hustle is promising that you’ll make a lot of money, make sure you do a lot more research on it before you actually commit to it.
11. Hustle culture pressure
The problem: You feel pressure to get a side hustle because it seems like everyone else has one. You might even think you aren’t “busy” enough since it seems like most people have several jobs and side hustles.
What helps: If this is optional for you and you are not strapped for cash, you can give yourself “off seasons,” where you only focus on your day job but might have a side hustle in the summer or fall. You can use your off-season for intentional downtime, where you focus on rest and on what matters most to you.
12. Comparison trap
The problem: It’s easy to look at other people and see how successful they are with their side hustles and feel like a failure.
What helps: Focus on your journey and progress compared to your past self, not other people. Everyone has a different path, and realizing this helps keep stress and self-doubt in check. I also recommend limiting social media scrolling, as this often shows you highlight reels of people’s lives instead of the real deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions you may have about why side hustles can be bad.
Are side hustles always a bad idea?
No! Many times, side hustles are great. For me, side hustles helped me reach financial goals, gain new skills, see what kind of jobs I like and don’t like, and gave me the flexibility to travel. I think it’s important to prioritize rest and all of the other things I mentioned in this article, or else you’ll burn out and quit.
Why do people still do side hustles if they can be stressful?
People still do side hustles even though they can be stressful because there are benefits to them. Side hustles can become full-time jobs, small businesses, help someone pay the bills, or put food on the table.
How can I manage the toxic or stressful parts of a side hustle?
Side hustles, like any job, can be stressful. I recommend that you have clear boundaries, such as giving yourself a work schedule for when you’re available to work. It’s easy for the lines to get blurred when you do side hustles. For example, I found myself opening my laptop a lot at night or on the weekends when I really did not need to. This is why I created an office in a spare bedroom to help create a divide between where the workspaces are in the home versus just working everywhere in the living room.
How can I make my side hustle more intentional?
Of course, not all side hustles are bad. Everyone’s goals are different, and what feels draining for one person might be exciting for someone else. So, I think it’s important to think about why you’re doing it. Are you looking for something mindless you can do from the couch while watching Netflix?
Or are you hoping to turn your side hustle into a full-time income one day? There’s no wrong answer – but being clear about your goal can help you choose the right hustle (and avoid burnout or disappointment later on). When you know your “why,” you’re much more likely to pick something that fits your life instead of fighting against it.
Why I Think Side Hustles Can Be Bad (And Why I Still Do Them) – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on why I think side hustles can be bad and why I still do them. These tips will help you be and stay successful with side hustles.
Side hustles aren’t one-size-fits-all – and that’s okay. The best side hustle is one that adds to your life, not takes away from it.
Even with all of these possible challenges, I still love having side hustles. They’ve helped me improve my financial situation, be creative, and make money doing work that I enjoy. I truly believe side hustles can be one of the best ways to grow – financially and personally – when you find the right fit and protect your time and energy.
I hope I didn’t scare you away from starting a side hustle, because that’s not my goal! The goal is to help you start one in a way that fits your life.
Do you have a side hustle?
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