There was a time when people worked a part-time gig as a passionate pursuit, but the reality is nowadays most people don't have lucrative side jobs. Finding a side hustle that pays well and doesn't drain their time, money, and energy isn't as easy as it used to be. 2020 has given us all a wake-up call and forces us to reconsider how we spend our days and what we invest our lifestyle into being.
A legit side hustle can be uplifting, but it may have costs you hadn't considered or thought through enough about until the reality hits you.
Here are the real impacts of having side hustles to make money:
Lack of Sleep
If you find yourself working too much or having to work at odd hours to earn some dough, you may find yourself having difficulties sleeping when you need to. Also, the worry of needing to make a certain quota of money during your day or week can cause you to have less sleep or restless sleep in which you don't sleep very well.
More Stress
Sometimes the best side hustles will create the most stress in your life. They may not even be fun or enjoyable, and a lack of pleasure in how you earn your money can create feelings of anxiety in your mind and body. Over time chronic stress can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing.
Less Time for Friends and Family
Working a list of side hustles will make it challenging to spend quality time with friends and family. You may need the money, so you may be weighing the benefits of working and not seeing your loved ones against paying your bills and eating. These are tough times, but make sure you are not creating more problems for you and your loved ones in the long run. It's okay to lean on others for financial support. You'd be surprised who might be able to help you.
Less Time for Relaxation and Self-care
Too much work will leave little time for being able to relax and take care of yourself. This is one of the biggest detriments of working a side hustle, especially multiple ones. We all need time to relax and unwind. Daily meditation is vital for many people to clear themselves of emotional stress and tension. It also gives them the awareness they need to be useful throughout their day in everything they do. Giving yourself less time for this will affect your performance no matter what you are doing. Too many side hustles take your attention away from being fully present.
Emotional Turmoil
The ups and downs and stresses of money from a side hustle can make it not worth it altogether. One day you may feel satisfied with the cash you can earn. The next day it may be next to nothing, and that kind of up and down financial flow can create moodiness and feelings of despair.
May Not Solve Money Problems
There is no such thing as an easy side hustle to solve your money problems. Many side jobs require some beginning or ongoing financial investment on your part. This investment may not end up being worth the cost of the time, effort, and money earned by completing the job. If your whole point was to solve your money problems, you might want to investigate how much this side hustle will hurt you financially before fully diving into it.
Might Impact Other Responsibilities
Having too many side jobs, or one that demands a lot on your part can impact anything you are responsible for in your life. This can include another job of higher importance or your relationships or educational pursuits. Take time to consider the impacts of this and whether or not a side hustle is worth the hassle.
Overwhelmed
A working side hustle can lead to feelings of overwhelm and burnout. Career burnout is a real thing and can be challenging to recover from when it happens to you. You will know when you lead to these feelings when you lack passion for what you are doing and become careless. If this starts to happen to you, pause and reflect on the situation. It may be time to reconsider the impact on your life.