Navigating Hobbies and Hustle in the Gig Economy

The gig economy is bursting with opportunities—at least that’s what everyone keeps telling us. Hustle harder, earn more, succeed faster. It sounds empowering, but frankly, it’s exhausting. As a millennial, I find myself caught in the relentless need to turn every passion into a paycheck asking questions like, "Why can't I just relax?" "Why can’t I simply enjoy a hobby without feeling pressured to cash in on it?" "Am I wasting my time with an activity I cannot monetize?"

The Allure of the Hustle

The gig economy has reshaped our understanding of work. With apps and platforms offering ways to make money on the side, traditional 9-to-5 jobs almost seem obsolete. While this shift appears liberating, (and don't get me wrong -- as someone who has engaged in a side hustle or two for the last 15 years... and embraced the extra income that came with it -- I am not downplaying its advantages), there’s an undercurrent of pressure that’s hard to ignore.

Picture this: you wake up on a Saturday, sit down, coffee in hand, and pick up a book you've been meaning to read for 8 months. Then you start to wonder, “Shouldn't I be doing something productive, instead?” And no -- we're not talking about household duties and chores here (which are a beast of their own and a whole separate post topic). We're talking... that creative project you've been considering putting on Etsy . That ad someone sent you for an evening waiting job at the bar down the road. Developing a new idea you haven't even considered because your friends mentioned they just made some extra money by networking with this person and this person. The desire to keep up with any potential available opportunity creates an environment where every minute not spent hustling feels like squandering time.

The Cycle of the Pressure to Monetize

As millennials, we’ve been conditioned to always be on the grind. Social media is filled with stories of entrepreneurs who earn money from their passions. However, there's an unstated expectation lingering in the air: enjoy something? Great! But you should also make money from it.

So is this never-ending cycle specific to millennials? Not only millennials but certainly, overwhelmingly so. It impacts Gen Z, Gen X, and maybe even other generations depending on financial needs. But I think the societal lens we operate under puts the most pressure on those of us in the millennial age range.

Take writing as an example. I adore it. It's therapeutic for me. It's comforting. It's enjoyable. And I'm not half bad at it. But I'm frequently distracted by thoughts of how to sell my work, or at least produce a written product that earns passive income. This drive to turn hobbies into cash can rob the simple pleasure of creating. What once brought joy now comes with deadlines and profit margins hanging over our heads. Writing this blog alone should have two goals: a) entertaining/informing an audience and b) serving as an outlet for my latest frustrations and creativity. But there's always another purpose, right? Throw in the right key words. Optimize for SEO. Drive traffic to the blog. Which could drive traffic to my YT channel. Which is the latest venture of potential future income.

But then let's look at a conversation I repeatedly have with my mom, who is a Boomer/Gen X-cusper. She is incredibly creative and talented -- she makes jewelry, gorgeous holiday wreaths, unique wooden signs, little wine cork reindeer families, and even furniture. She can paint, she can draw, and she can DIY like no one's business. Some of her creations would put your favorite local craft store to shame. But I can tell you that there is no way in HELL she will ever sell any of it.

You want a pair of her earrings? She'll just make them for you. Custom wooden sign for your new house? Done. For fun. For enjoyment. For free. There won't be any Etsy shop bearing her name and she'll never set up a table at a craft fair. And of course, she could use the extra cash -- who couldn't? But she tells me all the time when I suggest otherwise... "If I had to create something to make money off of it, I wouldn't enjoy it anymore." And therefore, she won't.

Now, is this generational? I don't know... the concept of a side hustle or a second job is not really a new idea. But I do think it has become almost... expected. Past the point of expectation actually. It's gone beyond, "Oh yeah, I'll take some extra cash" and become so ingrained in the millennial culture that it is as natural as breathing. But not necessarily in a good way.

I envy her dedication to her passions and fully support her refusal to monetize. I just wish I could do the same.

The Decline of Pure Enjoyment

Taking a step back reveals how this mindset has muddied the waters between hobbies and work. The carefree times of crocheting or strumming a guitar without expectations feel like a distant memory.

Now we always ask: "Am I doing enough?” "Should I do more? Should I do something else?" This relentless questioning is draining and, frankly, it leads to burnout. According to a report by the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of millennials feel stressed about work-life balance, which reflects a larger trend of blending work with personal time.

I realize that I need to carve out some space in my life for guilt-free enjoyment. Generally, I try to allow myself one hobby or "time waster" that I know will never earn any money and the past two weeks, it has been playing on my Switch with my nephew and other friends. I love gaming so it's a great mind distraction... but I also really want to read. I also want to practice watercolors and make Valentine's cards. But in my mind, I have to sub these in and out because I can't possibly do them all. I can only allow myself one activity that isn't profitable at a time. And even that, despite enjoying it, I feel guilty about it.

I know, without a doubt, I have hit the "burnout" stage already. In fact, I hit it many years ago. I know that shifting my focus away from profitable hobbies usually boosts my creativity and sparks fresh ideas. I even know that mentally, I am at a place that without allowing at least one of these hobbies, I'm not sure how much longer I can sustain all of the other activities and jobs required of me. And therefore, I shouldn't feel guilty. I tell myself that... but then grocery prices go up and mortgage interest rates go up and I still struggle to afford things and I still don't have a house... and I sink RIGHT back into the spiral.

At the end of the day, when engage in activities because we love them, but those passions are tied to money, the joy can evaporate.

Embracing Guilt-Free Enjoyment

So how do we embrace guilt-free enjoyment? I honestly don't know the answer to this. Perhaps extreme mental awareness will help remind us to enjoy life more. Or perhaps we are doomed to live in this mindset until time eventually changes the current economic climate in our country. (Being a millennial is a real glass half full and half empty at the same time all the time sort of mindset lol).

While the gig economy certainly provides new ways to earn, it still traps us in a cycle of anxiety about productivity. As I navigate through this landscape myself, I understand the importance of stepping back and genuinely enjoying hobbies for the sake of relaxation. And sure, the first step is admitting you have a problem. But in this case, self awareness isn't enough to provide a solution.

In a world that constantly pushes us to hustle, reclaiming leisure is an act of defiance. This year, I have given myself permission to enjoy hobbies but I'm not sure I have the capability. I plan to continue practicing my watercolor painting skills. I would like to play basketball again. I would like to take up archery. I have a whole shelf of books I want to read. I want to bake cupcakes and take a guitar lesson. I want to play video games in my steam library that I've never even downloaded. And I want to write.

I want to write all the poems and lyrics in my head. I want to tell the stories of characters I've crafted and scenarios I dream about. I want to engage and teach others about topics that I'm passionate about through blogging and vlogging.

But I also want to buy a house. I want to pay off my student loans. I want to stop feeling guilty about buying a name-brand product that is only 15% more expensive, especially when I like it more. I want to be able to help my friends and family when they are in a bind. I want to get medical treatment I've been putting off for years. I want to celebrate my latest promotion and raise at my well-paying full time job and feel like that the money I make, and the salaried hours I put in is enough.

And most importantly, I want the option to monetize on any of the above hobbies because I want to, not because I feel like I have to.

We'll see how it goes.