Should Your Hobby Pay The Bills?
Here’s what I have learned
So, here’s a question: should your hobby pay the bills? I mean, it sounds like a dream, right? You take your passion, be it painting, writing, or even something like gaming, and you make a full-on career out of it. But having juggled both a hobby and a side hustle for quite some time, I have grown to realize that things aren’t quite as easy as they sound.
Let me take you back a bit. For years, I would spend my weekends writing short stories, not out of any plans to make money from them but because I enjoyed it. Writing was my escape. It was what I did when I was stressed, bored, or simply wanted to shut out the noise of everyday life. But then, one day, I thought, “Why not try and make some money from this?” So, I started giving my stories to websites and publishers. Fast forward a few months, and I had a couple of paid gigs. At first, this was brilliant. I was doing what I loved, and people were paying me to do it.
What could be better? But here’s where things started to get tricky. The moment writing became a way to pay the bills, it started to feel like work. Not the good kind of work where you’re excited to clock in, but the kind where you’re constantly worried about deadlines, expectations, and whether or not your next paycheck will be enough. Suddenly, the fun of writing wasn’t as obvious anymore.
The pressure to do more, faster and better took some of the fun from it. That’s when I had a little epiphany. I realized that for me, the best part of the hobby was the fact that it’s not a job; it’s something you do for the mere love of it. When money gets involved, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. That freedom to create without having to consider how it’ll perform or whether it’ll pay the rent is a huge part of what makes a hobby enjoyable.
Once you throw that into the mix, things get… complicated.
I am not saying you shouldn’t try to make money with your passion. There is such a great feeling to be able to live off what you love, but be realistic about it. Not every hobby is suited to turn into a business. And even when it is, it might not always be sustainable or as enjoyable as you might think.
I have friends who have turned photography, baking, or knitting into full-time professions. It works, and they make it happen. But often behind the scenes, though, are other challenges beyond what you might expect. You have to deal with clients, deadlines, taxes, and the occasional burnout. It is not about creating for yourself anymore; it is creating for others, which in itself is a totally different ball game.
In the end, should your hobby pay the bills? Only you can decide. But after a great deal of trial and error, I find having a clear line in the sand with what is work and what is a hobby important. A hobby should bring you joy, not stress. If it starts to feel like work, that might be a good time to pull back and ask if it’s still worth it.
That is to say, if you are considering turning your hobby into your income, at least be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Can it sustain you long-term? Will you still love it when it’s tied to your livelihood? If the answer’s yes, go for it. But not so much if you’re not sure; maybe keep it as your escape-something just for you. After all, there’s no harm in having something that’s purely for fun.
If you wish, feel free to share your thoughts with me. I deeply appreciate and carefully consider all your comments with love and respect.
