Side Hustle Struggles: My Messy Journey to (Maybe) Making Money

The Allure of the Side Hustle: Why Bother?

Okay, so, side hustles. Everyone’s talking about them, right? It’s like the new normal. You got your 9-to-5, and then you got your…everything else. But why? Honestly, for me, it started with a serious case of FOMO and a nagging feeling that I was leaving money on the table. My friends were raking in cash selling vintage clothes on Depop or designing logos for startups. I was… well, I was working. Just working.

And don’t even get me started on the Instagram influencers flaunting their six-figure side hustle empires. Ugh, it’s enough to make anyone question their life choices. But beneath the envy, there was a genuine desire for more. More income, sure, but also more control, more creativity, and maybe, just maybe, a path to escaping the soul-crushing monotony of corporate life. Or, at the very least, paying off my student loans a little faster.

So, I dove in headfirst. Or at least, I dipped a toe in the water. And quickly realized I was in over my head. It’s not as easy as those “passive income” gurus make it seem. There’s a lot of late nights, a lot of trial and error, and a whole lot of feeling like you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. Sound familiar to anyone? Because, trust me, you’re not alone.

My Epic Side Hustle Fails (and a Few Tiny Wins)

Let me tell you about my first attempt. I thought, “Hey, I’m pretty good at writing. I’ll become a freelance writer!” I signed up for Upwork, spent hours crafting the perfect profile, and then…crickets. Okay, not *total* crickets. I did land one gig: writing product descriptions for a website selling…dog sweaters. I made, like, 15 bucks. And the client was super picky about the phrasing. “Needs more ‘pawsome’ energy!” they wrote. I’m not kidding. “Pawsome.” I considered giving up right then and there.

But then, I stumbled upon a blog post about creating and selling digital planners on Etsy. This seemed more my style. I spent a weekend designing a cute planner, uploaded it to Etsy, and waited. And waited. And waited. After a week, I had exactly zero sales. I was starting to think I was cursed.

Then, finally, a sale! I was ecstatic! I spent the rest of the day refreshing my Etsy shop, waiting for the floodgates to open. They didn’t. But one sale was enough to keep me going. I tweaked my designs, improved my marketing, and slowly, very slowly, sales started to trickle in. Now, I’m not making six figures (yet!), but I’m making enough to cover my coffee addiction and maybe even treat myself to a nice dinner every now and then. Hey, it’s a start. And sometimes that’s all you need.

The Importance of Finding the Right Fit (and Avoiding Burnout)

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that not all side hustles are created equal. What works for your friend might not work for you. And that’s okay. You have to find something that aligns with your skills, your interests, and your available time. Trying to force yourself into a side hustle that you hate is a recipe for burnout. Trust me, I know.

I briefly considered becoming an Amazon affiliate marketer. I even bought a course (regret!), but the whole thing felt so…spammy. I just couldn’t bring myself to promote products I didn’t believe in. It felt fake, and honestly, kind of icky.

Then there was the whole TikTok influencer thing. I tried. Oh, boy, did I try. I even attempted a viral dance trend (cringe!). Let’s just say, my talents lie elsewhere. Who even knows what’s next? I’m still figuring it out, and I’m okay with that. It’s about learning, growing, and maybe, just maybe, stumbling upon something amazing along the way.

My Biggest Mistake? Comparing Myself to Others

Seriously, this is the biggest trap of all. It’s so easy to get caught up in the highlight reel of other people’s success. You see those Instagram posts of people traveling the world while running their online businesses, and you think, “Why can’t I do that?”

But what you don’t see are the countless hours of hard work, the sacrifices they’ve made, and the failures they’ve experienced along the way. Everyone’s journey is different. Someone said it’s not a race, it’s a marathon. I like that.

I remember one time, I saw a friend’s post about making $10,000 in one month from her side hustle. I felt like a complete failure. I started questioning everything I was doing. Was I even cut out for this? Should I just give up and go back to watching Netflix every night?

It took me a few days to realize that I was comparing my Chapter 1 to her Chapter 10. She had been working on her side hustle for years, building her skills and her audience. I was just starting out. Was I the only one confused by this? This realization helped me to refocus on my own goals and celebrate my own progress, no matter how small. And honestly, sometimes the smallest wins are the most rewarding.

The Side Hustle Life: Worth the Chaos?

So, is the side hustle life worth it? Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. It’s challenging, it’s frustrating, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. There are days when I want to throw my laptop out the window and just go back to my comfy, predictable 9-to-5.

But then there are those moments of triumph, those little wins that make it all worthwhile. The feeling of creating something from scratch, of building something of your own, is incredibly empowering. And of course, the extra income doesn’t hurt either.

For me, the side hustle is more than just a way to make money. It’s a way to explore my passions, to challenge myself, and to create a life that’s a little bit more fulfilling. And who knows? Maybe one day, my side hustle will become my main hustle. Until then, I’ll keep learning, keep growing, and keep embracing the messy, chaotic, and occasionally rewarding world of side hustles. Wish me luck! And more importantly, good luck to you too!