Why Everybody Should Have A Side Hustle | by Katie Amison
They say you should have 3 hobbies:
- One that makes you money
- One to keep you in shape
- One to be creative
A side hustle can be all 3 if you really want it to be. First things first, let’s define what I mean by the term ‘side hustle’: A type of work that provides you with income other than your main job.
I wholeheartedly believe in always having something going on the side. It keeps me excited. I’m not the type of person to put all of my eggs in one basket when it comes to my career, and I aspire to have financial freedom in the future – but even if I didn’t, I would still have a side hustle to keep me inspired and motivated. I get bored easily and have endless interests, so having multiple things going keeps me on my toes.
At present, I have 2 side hustles, and one I aspire to create and maybe one day even commit to full-time. I am a part-time babysitter and a part-time Starbucks barista but my ultimate goal is something I have not yet shared with anyone yet. And to be honest, I like to keep things close to my chest, but when it happens, you’ll be the first to know. 😉
You may be wondering, "What’s so great about having a side hustle, Katie?"
- Additional income! As an apprentice, I find increasing my income really helpful as it gives me the freedom to invest in other projects while still enjoying spending money like a student!
- It keeps your options open. Having eggs in multiple baskets allows for stability. If one job falls through, you’ve got something else. It also means you’re developing multiple skill sets which give you flexibility for career choice in the future!
- Networking. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. You never know who you could meet along the way!
- Creative outlet. Depending on the side hustle, you could be using it as an opportunity to express creativity whilst building an additional income.
Now let’s talk cons…
- Time. It can be very difficult to balance multiple workloads and maintain a healthy lifestyle but using productivity tools can really help. Plus, demonstrating effective time management is a fantastic skill to have!
- Burnout. This is my biggest struggle, and it is not something I am ashamed to admit! In the past, I have absolutely pushed myself too far, but my tip for you would be to listen to your body and prioritise effectively in order to make time for processing emotions and nourishing your body correctly.
- Limited personal time. Honestly, you’re either willing to make that sacrifice or you’re not. Nobody can tell you what to do and that is totally your call. This also includes finding time for family and friends, but that’s where you learn to find balance.
Most importantly, you might arguably not be able to give 100% to multiple projects and some people may prefer to give 100% to one than a 50/50 split. I personally find that I prioritise my full-time role, then my wellbeing, and everything else comes after. However, if you’re looking to turn a side hustle into something more permanent, I would argue that working extra hours towards it is a risk worth taking (scenario dependent).
In the world we live in, having a side hustle isn’t just a trend. It’s a way to unlock personal, professional, and financial growth and it empowers you to lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
Don’t hesitate, find a side hustle.
Katie Amison is an Advanced Data Fellowship apprentice at Multiverse based in the UK. She's writing for the Apprentice Lens as part of the Blogging Team. Here's more about her:
"Hi, I'm Katie and I am a data analytics degree apprentice at Fujitsu - based in Solihull. I started my role as a 19-year-old female with no technical background and it was terrifying! I love sharing my journey and inspiring others through my writing."