The day hobbies became side hustles
If you enjoy doing something, you should sell it, they say.
I think it was around 1999 when my hobbies died.
Prior to that day, I used to paint and stamp homemade cards.
I’d buy crafting kits at Michaels Arts & Crafts and make homemade soaps and bath salts.
I crocheted a blanket for my mom and a smaller one for a friend’s newborn baby boy.
And then a store opened in Northridge, California, inviting crafters to rent a booth and sell their crafts. It was called The Quilted Bear. It was packed with adorable homemade wares. It was so packed that customers (myself included) felt overwhelmed by the selection, and oftentimes walked out empty-handed.
However, I sold just enough bath soaps, painted clocks, and bath salts to give me the confidence to keep selling.
Enter the Side Hustle
Merriam-Webster says the word “side hustle” has been around for more than 70 years, but we only recently started using it as it relates to side jobs.
I felt confident enough in my side hustle to expand it to a bigger market, adding lamps and candles. The new market proved too big to compete with the other sellers (or people asking for deals), and I closed the shop after less than a year.
That didn’t stop me from trying new (better?) ideas, but this time, I had the internet to play with, too!
I tried selling used books online, I had a site dedicated to people looking for jobs at night, I offered custom greeting cards to salon professionals, and I sold random reports for 99 cents each.
One common thread ran through all of these hobby businesses. They were, ultimately, unsuccessful.
Plus, the entire time I was testing their viability, I had a full-time job and was finishing college.
My argument for so many business attempts was the cost of living in Los Angeles. So, I decided to make a change.
The Big Move
In 2006, I decided to move to Mississippi from Los Angeles. The cost of living was much lower in the south and I knew I could make it with much less money.
The plan was to freelance for my magazine publisher in L.A. and enjoy southern living.
That lasted for a little less than a year.
Turns out I couldn’t turn off my “hustle” mindset. Location didn’t matter.
I ended up taking on another full-time editorial job and keeping my freelance work (I let my employer know).
Then, it wasn’t long before I started dabbling in more hobby businesses.
A local food website
A website all about food halls
A website highlighting other writers
Each one became my hobby, although, deep down, I think what I really needed was a hobby like in the “old days.” A relaxing hobby where your mind can wander and you create something with your hands, not your computer.
I recently read an article in The Guardian about hobbyists who ruined their hobbies by turning them into businesses. One man stopped eating jam entirely while another woman lost her passion for quilting.
It seems like nowadays if you say you’re good at something or enjoy something, everyone says, “You should sell that!” Or they say, “Sell what you know.” I’m guilty of saying the same thing.
Conclusion
So, what was the point of this big rant about hobbies turning into side hustles?
I realized the other day that this new book project of mine is yet another hobby project that I’m doing to keep myself busy.
The fact is, I have work. I don’t need more “hobby” work.
I need to focus more of my time away from computer work, when possible.
I want to get back to some of those old hobbies I used to love. I have boxes full of supplies. I just need to dust them off and enjoy them.
If you’ve read to this point, I commend you!
Thank you for following me on what has ultimately turned out to be a journey of discovery instead of a journey to publish a book.
If you have any fun hobby suggestions, please send them my way. And if you find yourself turning every idea into a “business,” maybe we can partner up on your next venture (kidding, of course).
Best always,
Liz
You are amazing and I love your hustle!