Have you seen the term 'Side Hustle' pop up on your feed more often? That could be because  nearly half of Americans report having an extra 'side gig' that brings in extra coin on top of a full-time job. So no, the lyrics from rapper Rick Ross, 'Every Day I'm Hustlin', are not just an expression - in 2022, it became a mantra.

What's the 'Side Hustle Culture'?

Also known as grind culture, hustle culture is a mental belief that you must work non-stop all day, every day, to achieve your career or financial goals.

It all blew up around 2008 when the Great Recession led many people, particularly those just entering the workforce, to 'overwork' to make ends meet at home or reach their career goals in a challenging economic climate.

And we still see it alive and healthy today. Individuals and startups glorify working till the early morning hours, running from job 1 to job 2 with a takeaway coffee in hand all over our TikTok and Instagram feeds.

When did the side hustle get so mainstream?

Having a side hustle is nothing new. Starting a business or making extra cash on the side has been around for generations. However, the vast number of people taking on additional mini-jobs has grown significantly since the pandemic's start. According to Bloomberg, 36% of Gen Z freelancers joined the popular freelancing platform Upwork since the Coronavirus Pandemic encapsulated the world.

Who's part of the Hustle culture?

Why does Hustle culture have a bad rep?

The side hustle culture certainly comes with a price tag of burnout, overworking, and an unhealthy work/life balance. Society often makes us feel that our worth is connected to our jobs or how much money we make, so the more we 'grind,' the more 'successful' we are or will become. When our entire life centers around 'work' and 'grinding,' it can adversely affect mental and physical health and leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

But is there a way to find a happy medium? Once where we do take on a side hustle, make extra income but feel empowered, and one that doesn't lead to burnout?

Let's find out!

Creating a healthy side hustle

Despite the stigma of burnout, having a healthy side hustle is possible, but it's all about setting boundaries for yourself. True - it can also be hard work, but before you commit to a side hustle, take an evening to sit down and be realistic about how much 'free time' you have and are willing to give up for your side gig. 

Consider your existing commitments - your job, extracurricular activities, fitness classes, social and family obligations, and time for yourself. See if there's something you would like to cut back on - for example, if you go out with friends every Friday and Saturday night - would you drop it down to one night to fit in your side gig and avoid burning out?

What are some popular side hustles to make extra money?

The idea of a side hustle is typically to supplement, not replace, your typical full-time job. For some people, it's a creative outlet for their passion project, it could also be about making a few extra bucks to use to splurge on themselves, and for others, it may be necessary additional income to help them meet basic living expenses.

Here are some side hustle ideas:

• Reselling unwanted clothes on Facebook Marketplace, DePop, or eBay
• Offering freelance services like graphic design or copywriting
• Doing online surveys for extra money or vouchers
• Starting an online store or dropshipping business
• Part-time Virtual Assistant duties like social media management
• Working a different job in the evenings
• Uber or Lyft driving on the weekend
• Starting a cleaning business

Balance is the key to a healthy side hustle

Balance is essential - so start small. If you decide to give Uber driving a go, try it once a week for the first month and see how it fits in with your life. We know you want the extra money but don't commit to 20 hours straight away. Or, if you're a graphic designer and want to take on some freelance work - begin with one project and measure how long that took you before saying yes to more clients.

Having a side hustle can be incredibly rewarding and an excellent way to work towards your bigger career goals or make extra money for a specific savings goal. Just remember your mental and physical health always comes first, so find a balance where you feel fulfilled without feeling overwhelmed.

Or it could be a considerable amount of hours you invest into your side hustle every week if you're running an online store or working with several clients on freelance projects. Either way, you still need to work for the money - it won't magically land in your lap.

A side hustle can very much turn into your full-time gig, but the general idea of a side hustle is not to replace your income - it's something extra you can do on the side to put some extra dollars in your pocket.

As always, love the Easy Clothes team xx