![Image shows a painting palette filled with an assortment of paints. [hobbies]](https://www.empowordjournalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/steve-johnson-A2OL6S9zB7o-unsplash-scaled-e1694765132513-1035x425.jpg)
Megan Ioannides
With the rise of e-commerce stores such as Etsy and Depop, people can now sell almost anything online to make a profit. But when we commercialise our hobbies, what issues arise? Is it possible to still enjoy our passions without turning them into a side hustle?
Creativity manifests itself in a variety of different ways. In recent years, TikTok trends and Pinterest inspiration pictures have been pivotal in encouraging people to tap into their creative side. Finding a new hobby that allows you to explore this creativity is highly rewarding, especially when you discover something you’re actually good at.
“I can’t help but wonder whether side-hustle culture is detracting from the pure enjoyment of doing creative things for fun”
However, under the current capitalist system, there comes an underlying pressure to turn our creative endeavours into a side hustle.
Discovering a niche craft, like crocheting clothing or creating pottery, now comes with the suggestion that we should establish an online store to monetise our creativity and connect with a potential customer base. While this can be an enjoyable and relatively straightforward way to generate extra income, I can’t help but wonder whether side hustle culture is detracting from the pure enjoyment of doing creative things for fun.
The benefits of a side hustle
While the ethics of monetising our hobbies is somewhat of a grey area, there can be benefits to turning your creative projects into a side hustle. Starting your own business and sharing your creations with people who admire your craft can be a truly fulfilling venture.
The skills acquired from developing and managing a business can offer valuable insights and potentially pave the way for a transition to full-time self-employment. It can also boost your self-esteem when people show an interest in purchasing your creations.
when something you like to do turns into a real hobby > then a side hussle > then an actual lucrative business
— Yoi (@TOKYOspinach) April 25, 2019
Another benefit to capitalising off of your hobby is the monetary aspect. In the UK, one in six people claim to make upwards of £1,000 a month from their side hustle. So of course, making a bit of extra income, whether modest or substantial, is undoubtedly a positive factor.
Are hobbies for you, or for others?
Despite this, exploring new hobbies is a form of self-expression that doesn’t have to rely on others. Not only do hobbies help improve mental health, but are a great way to switch off from our busy lives and focus on enjoying ourselves in the moment.
However, when hobbies become our jobs, we jeopardise these benefits.
In a study of 2,000 adults in full-time employment, it was found that 27 per cent had turned a hobby into a side business. A further 55 per cent admitted they would like to do this, suggesting that the desire to commercialise hobbies is on the rise.
Its so insulting when people tell me i should just do fashion as a side hussle or hobby and a corporate job like would you tell Michelangelo to get a 9 to 5 and do the Sistine chapel on the weekends ?
— rose mcgowan (@eurotrashgir1) April 19, 2023
It is common nowadays to scroll through Instagram or TikTok and see hundreds of videos showcasing which hobbies can make money. The stories of ‘How I made six figures from my side hustle’ promote the idea that unless you’re actively earning from your hobby, you’re missing a trick.
When we monetise a hobby, a creative endeavour is transformed into a commercial product. Instead of creating for enjoyment, we create for the buyer. Not only does this remove the personal aspect of creativity, but places more emphasis on perfection as the goal is not to please ourselves, but to please others.
Hobbies for fulfilment, not profit
“prioritising enjoyment over profit will always reap greater personal satisfaction”
It is hard to find time and energy to maintain a hobby amid the fast-paced lifestyles we lead today. In an age where free time is becoming increasingly scarce, having a hobby that is solely for self-fulfilment is crucial. As side-hustle culture continues to rise, hobbies may no longer provide the same level of enjoyment that they once did.
Spending time doing the creative things you’re passionate about is not self-indulgent. So the next time someone says: “You should try selling that”, remember prioritising enjoyment over profit will always reap greater personal satisfaction.
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Featured image courtesy of Steve Johnson on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
