The harsh reality of a side hustle

There’s a lot of talk lately about side hustling. “I’m a hustler, baby,” right? Okay, I know I’m too much of a dork to drop Jay-Z references, but when I write “side hustling,” what I really mean is getting paid for doing something else in addition to your full-time source of income—a part time job, freelancing, consulting, blogging, the like.

Of course, people have always been side hustling, but the idea seems to have exploded in culture recently. Nearly every celebrity is a “media mogul,” often doing several jobs in the entertainment industry (Does Jennifer Lopez, actress/singer/restaurateur/clothing designer/AI judge ring a bell?). Just search for “side hustle” on Google and you’ll receive tons of hits. There’s even handy how-to pages about starting one.

A problem I noticed is most people will only tell you all the great things you’ll gain from side hustling. Just follow a few steps to extra income, more happiness, and more freedom. While side hustling can lead to those things, some are omitting what it actually takes to get there.

I’m a hustler, baby, and it’s not easy.

Technically, I currently “side hustle.” I work 40+ hours a week at a demanding, but rewarding job in public relations at my local university. I also teach an English class. So I work two jobs at the university, receiving two paychecks. Sounds nice, huh? But after about a month of working and teaching, I’m already exhausted, wondering if starting this whole side hustling thing was a good idea.

Teaching is one damn hard side hustle.

In addition to giving up my lunch hour three days a week for class time, I do my lesson planning, background reading, and paper grading outside of normal 9-to-5 work hours. It takes up a lot of free time on nights and weekends. I’ve just started teaching last semester, so I’m still learning how to do things. Undoubtedly, if I had more experience and confidence in what I’m doing, everything would run a little smoother.

But right now, I feel like I’m burning both ends of the candle. And the candle begins at my hair and at my toes.

Truthfully, I am hustling. To work, to class, back to work. To get everything done in a work day, so I can concentrate on the tasks I need to do for teaching on my outside time. It translates into a lot of working and not a lot of enjoying the money I’m making or the life I’m leading. Sure, I love what I’m doing and I don’t want to give up either of my jobs, but all my responsibilities add up quickly in time and effort.

So think carefully before starting any side hustle.

In our consumerist culture, more money is always portrayed as a good thing. But you also need to consider what you’re giving up in exchange for that money. Side hustles are supposed to give you freedom because you’re not relying on a single source of income, which is a fine idea, but right now, I feel less free. I’m fettered to a desk for most of my waking hours, writing, e-mailing, and interviewing. If I’m not working at my full-time job, I’m usually working at my side hustle, again at a desk, grading, researching, or planning. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s hard. I don’t take days off, and I rarely take a night off either.

Here’s what else to consider before you start a side hustle.

What are you losing, and what are you gaining instead?

While side hustling gives you extra money, think deeply about how much your time is worth to you. When just starting out, the time you normally have reserved for rest and relaxation will quickly turn into “hustling” time. You will have to give up some other activities and rearrange your priorities. Is it worth it? And don’t forget to factor in anyone else relies on your time–like family, friends, significant others, and children. How will your side hustle affect them?

How will your side hustle help you or your career?

I know I’ve wrote a lot about what side hustling takes away from you, but it can also give something back. In fact, I think it should give you more than just some extra spending/saving money. The best side hustles are the ones that offer you more than a paying gig, but also expand your knowledge, experience, skill set, networking contacts, and more. Again, if you’re willing to give up your free time, make sure to use it wisely.

How much work or money would you have to put in to start?

Most side hustles aren’t a get rich quick scheme. Some can be a lot of effort, especially at first to get yourself going. Factor in start-up costs (everything from web domain registration for a blog to for bags of sugar for a catering business) to see if you could get a good return on your investment. Would you have to spend a lot of money upfront? Have you have to use more of your money and time to get more education? Get a certification? Also, how much would it take to keep your side business going, like gas, equipment, office space, etc.? Be honest, add it up, and make sure you (and your budget, too) can handle all the expenses.

Though it’s part-time, side hustling is serious business. Don’t let the idea of making more money, the long-held dream of working for yourself or living out your greatest passion keep you from making informed, wise decisions. I liked this quote by author William Feather, who aptly explained in a few words what I tried to do in many.