I Tried to Monetize My Passion — and Almost Lost It

“Not every hobby needs to become a hustle. Some things are worth doing just because they make your soul come alive.”

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In the Name of Hustle:

We live in a time where we’re told that everything should be monetized. That if you’re not building a brand, starting a side hustle, or turning your passion into income — you’re wasting your potential.

The message is everywhere:
“Why just do it for fun when you can also get paid?”

But somewhere along the way, we stopped asking a more important question:
At what cost?

This is a story of how I tried to turn something I loved — playing the piano — into content. Into a channel. Into income. And in doing so, I nearly lost my love for it.

The Joy of Playing Just for Me:

I picked up the piano not to impress anyone, not for performance, and certainly not for money.

I played because it gave me a sense of joy I hadn’t felt in years. After long, tiring days at work, I’d come home, drop my bag, and go straight to the keyboard. Even the smallest progress — a melody learned, a chord nailed — gave me goosebumps.