If you’re like most people, you probably have a side hustle, cause nowadays, everybody needs to make more money. Whether it’s freelancing, driving for LYFT, selling on Etsy, or something else, it’s become increasingly common to earn extra money on the side. But the harsh reality is that side hustles can have a dark side and create stress, which can be hazardous to your health. And that’s burnout. If you’re overworked, stressed, and exhausted, it’s time to take steps to avoid burnout. In this post, we’re going to look at the dark side of side hustles and provide you with some actionable tips to stay healthy and happy.
The Dark Side of Side Hustles
The first thing to understand is that side hustles aren’t always fun and games. In fact, they can be incredibly stressful, especially if you’re trying to balance a full-time job and family responsibilities. Check out our list of possible health hazards to your side hustle:
Long hours: If you’re working your 9-5 job and then putting in an additional 20 hours a week on your side hustle, you’re going to burn out quickly.
Financial pressure: Lot’s of stress can be hazardous to your health, in itself! Expecting that money on the side to pay the bills can be a stress builder. This pressure can make your side hustle feel less like a passion project and more like a job you hate.
Lack of time: When you’re spending all your free time on your side hustle, you might feel like you don’t have any time for yourself. This lack of balance can lead to burnout.
How to Avoid Burnout
Now that we’ve established the potential dangers of side hustles, let’s talk about how to avoid burnout. Here are a few tips:
Set boundaries: Just because you can work on your side hustle 24/7 doesn’t mean you should. Stick to the times that you’ve designated for working on your side venture. This also goes for checking emails and responding to client requests.
Prioritize balance: Don’t completely sacrifice your personal life for your side hustle. Make time for things that make you happy, like spending time with family or pursuing hobbies.
Take breaks: It’s important to step away from your side hustle and give your brain a break. Take a vacation or simply schedule a day where you don’t work on your side hustle at all.
Outsource: If you’re able, consider outsourcing some of your work. This can include hiring a virtual assistant or a graphic designer for your website. This can not only alleviate some stress, but also improve the quality of your work. Fiverr is a good resource to use for outsourcing.
Signs You’re Heading Towards Burnout
At times, you may not even realize you are in the burnout zone! Here are some signs that you should look out for:
- You’re constantly tired and feeling like you can’t keep up with your workload.
- You’re avoiding work and procrastinating more than usual.
- You’re sleepy and unable to concentrate.
- You’re becoming easily irritated or short tempered with coworkers or clients.
What to Do If You’re Already Burnt Out
If you’re already experiencing burnout, don’t worry, there are things you can do to recover:
Take a break: Go run some errands or go to the park and change your environment for one day, it’s important to step away from work and recharge.
Reassess your priorities: Determine what’s causing the most stress and find ways to restructure your schedule.
Seek support: Talk to someone you trust – a friend, family member, or therapist – to help you cope with your stress.
Know your limits: Recognize that you can’t do it all, and that it’s okay to say no to certain projects or requests.
My experience with having a side hustle and allowing myself to get Burned Out was good and bad. I drove for LYFT for 3 years and worked a full time job. It felt so good to be able to go to the store and buy whatever foods, clothes and taking little trips when I wanted. Being able to save money and have a tax write off worked well. Driving was a true joy for me, especially the long distance drives and most of my riders were such a pleasure to have in my car. Talking with people from different countries was enlightening and I learned a lot. I served them water, mints and some smooth jazz. I knew where to stop to release myself, and I took 30 to 60 minute lunches, to walk and stretch my legs.
Unfortunately, Covid 19 hit and it was time for me to shut it down. It was a sign to stop before the Burn-Out point. My driving started at 6:00am and ended at 2:30pm. That was enough time to make the amount of money I wanted on a daily basis (done mostly on weekends and sometimes during the week), always same hours. Being a baby boomer, I listen to the signs of my body. When it says, it’s quitting time for today, then I start heading for home!
While side hustles can be a great way to earn extra money or pursue a passion project, it’s important to recognize the potential risks of burnout. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize those risks and find balance. By setting boundaries, prioritizing balance, recognizing the signs of burnout, and taking action when you need to, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your side hustle without sacrificing your mental or physical health. There are more articles of earning extra money with side hustles, creating your own business ideas and more on this website. Check out this article entitled, Poor Health Habits: Small Changes, Big Savings to learn ways to be healthier and save money, as well. All of these are lifestyle changes that could have a big impact on your life. Enjoy what you do and thanks for reading!
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