Have you noticed that it seems like everyone and their mother (and maybe their dog) has a side hustle these days?
I’ll admit, even I haven’t been immune. My fiancé and I have half-jokingly tossed around an idea for a little cocktail-creation-and-delivery venture (name and secret recipes TBD—can’t spill the secrets in case we actually do it).
The point is, the pressure to “do more” is real, and it’s hitting regular folks from all sides. But before we all rush to register a business and print fancy name cards, let’s take a step back.
In this article, we’ll chat about why everyone feels the need to hustle, what running a side gig truly demands, and how to tell if you’re really cut out for it (or just caught up in the hype). By the end, you should have a clearer idea of whether you actually want to jump on the bandwagon, or if you’re happier keeping your nights and weekends free.
Now, let’s dive in.
Everyone’s Getting a Side Hustle… Does That Mean You Should Too?
- Why does everyone feel the need to hustle?
- Are you cut out to be a side hustler?
- If you do decide to hustle, be smart about it
- Final thoughts
Why does everyone feel the need to hustle?
It’s true that side hustles have exploded in popularity. There are a few big reasons why the pressure to hustle has ratcheted up in recent years:
Hustle culture and social media
We live in the age of #RiseAndGrind and entrepreneurial TikToks. Open Instagram or TikTok and you’ll likely stumble on success stories of people turning hobbies into six-figure businesses.
It creates an illusion that if you’re not working on some money-making venture in your off-hours, you’re somehow falling behind. Based on a report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), 33 per cent of Singapore respondents across all generations said they’re involved in some form of side hustle.
Seeing peers talk about their hustle success can trigger that “What am I doing with my free time?” anxiety.
Financial pressures and cost of living
Let’s be real. Life isn’t getting any cheaper. Stagnant wages, inflation, and big goals (buying a home, anyone?) make extra income attractive. Many people start side gigs to buffer against economic stress.
In other words, some folks feel they have to hustle just to stay afloat. When your coworkers or friends mention their side earnings helping with bills or loans, it’s easy to wonder if you should be doing the same.
Pursuing passions (or at least autonomy)
Not all side hustles are just about the money. A lot of us have talents and interests that our 9-to-5 doesn’t cover.
Side hustling can be a way to inject some passion and creativity into your life. Think of the engineer who’s also a weekend woodworker selling custom furniture, or the teacher who runs a baking business on the side.
These stories make side gigs sound fulfiling—a chance to be your own boss for once and do something you love. That cultural narrative of “find your passion and monetise it” is strong. So if you have a creative itch or a business idea, you might feel now is the time to scratch it, since everyone else seems to be seizing their moment.
Apps and platforms have made it easier to start
Another reason it feels like everyone has a side hustle is because it’s genuinely easier than ever to start one. Tech platforms have greased the wheels. You’ve got brands like Grab, Carousell, and Shopee making it so simple to offer services or products.
With a few taps on a phone, you can start earning extra cash by driving people around or freelancing online. When opportunities are this accessible, more people jump in, which further normalises the whole hustle craze.
All these factors together create a perfect storm of social pressure. It’s gone from “Oh, you have a side project?” to “Wait, you DON’T have one?”.
If you’re feeling this pressure, you’re definitely not alone. FOMO is real when it comes to side gigs.
But before you go register that business or buy a domain name out of peer pressure, let’s flip the coin and talk about whether you’re cut out to be a side hustler in the first place. Because behind those glossy social media posts, there’s a reality that isn’t always so glamorous.
Are you cut out to be a side hustler?
Not everyone is wired to juggle a side hustle, and that’s okay. There’s no shame in deciding that your plate is full enough with one job (or that you simply value your downtime).
But how do you figure out if you’re cut from the side-hustle cloth or not? Here are a few key questions and considerations to help you self-assess:
Question #1: “Why do I really want to do this?”
Be brutally honest about your motivation. Is it just because all your friends are doing it and you feel you should (a.k.a. serious side hustle FOMO)?
Or do you have a personal passion or a financial goal that a side gig would help fulfil? Perhaps you’re exploring a dream of owning a business, or you need extra income to pay off debt.
There are plenty of valid reasons to start a hustle, but make sure yours is compelling enough to sustain you when the initial excitement fades. Everyone else is doing it is not, by itself, a great reason—that excitement can wear off fast when reality (and fatigue) sets in.
Question #2: “Do I have the time and energy?”
Take a hard look at your weekly schedule and lifestyle. If you’re currently struggling to find time to shower or catch eight hours of sleep, adding a side job might be a recipe for misery. Starting and maintaining a side hustle requires a significant time commitment.
Do you realistically have a few hours most days or a good chunk of the weekend to dedicate to this? And not just the time, but the energy – after a long workday or week, will you have any creative juice or motivation left to pour into a side project? If the thought makes you want to nap, that’s a red flag.
Question #3: “Am I okay with spending some money (and possibly losing it)?”
Many side hustles need a bit of upfront investment. It could be as small as buying ingredients for a home baking business or as large as purchasing equipment or certifications.
Even gig economy side jobs can entail costs (fuel, vehicle wear-and-tear, etc.). Are you financially ready to put some money in, and risk that you might not earn it back quickly (or at all)?
This isn’t to say you’ll definitely lose money. Just that there’s always a possibility a new venture doesn’t pan out. Make sure any money you put in is an amount you’re comfortable potentially parting with.
Question #4: “Is my family/support system on board?”
If you have a spouse, kids, or other significant commitments, a side hustle will affect them too.
Less time in the evenings, maybe needing someone else to handle chores or childcare while you’re working on your side gig, etc. It’s worth discussing with those around you to see if they support the idea.
Will your partner be okay picking up more of the slack at home, or your friends understand if you skip some outings? Having buy-in from your support network can make a huge difference, or at least avoid resentment later on.
Question #5: “Do I have all the skills I need to run a business?”
Consider whether you have a solid skill or product to offer and the secondary skills to run a mini-business.
For instance, being a great baker is one thing, but if you start selling cookies, you also have to be a bit of a marketer, an accountant, and a customer service rep.
Do you enjoy wearing multiple hats and learning new skills on the fly? If not, certain types of hustles might frustrate you. Also, if your idea requires expertise you don’t have yet, are you willing to invest time (and possibly money) to learn? Be real with yourself about your bandwidth to develop new skills while balancing everything else.
After mulling over these questions, you might come to the conclusion that now is not the right time, or that a side hustle isn’t the right solution for your needs.
And guess what? That is completely fine. On the other hand, if you’ve done the soul-searching and still feel excited (maybe even more excited, now that you understand the challenges) about starting a side hustle, then more power to you! Just make sure you go into it with a plan and for the right reasons.
If you do decide to hustle, be smart about it
Alright, let’s say you’ve weighed all this and are still excited to kick off a side hustle. How can you set yourself up for success and avoid becoming another cautionary tale? Here are the broad strokes of starting a side hustle the smart way:
Tip #1: Start with a small test
You don’t need to go from zero to CEO overnight. In fact, please don’t. Dip your toes in first. If you have an idea—say, selling custom cocktails (hi again, that’s my dream)—start by doing it on a very small scale.
Maybe cater a friend’s party for free or sell a few batches to colleagues for feedback. See if you actually enjoy the work and if there’s real demand. This way, you can validate your idea without quitting your day job or pouring in tons of cash upfront. Treat it as an experiment.
Tip #2: Set clear goals and boundaries
Ask yourself what a “win” looks like for your side hustle.
Is it making a certain amount per month? Building a portfolio for a future career change? Or just having fun and seeing where it goes?
Defining this helps you stay focused. Equally important, set boundaries to protect your sanity. For example, decide that you’ll only work on the side gig on weeknights and one weekend afternoon, reserving the rest of your time for rest, family, or other activities.
Having some structure can prevent the side hustle from bleeding into every moment of your life and consuming you.
Tip #3: Mind your money
Open a separate bank account for your side hustle income/expenses, if possible—it makes tracking profitability and doing taxes much easier.
Be cautious with spending: it’s easy to get carried away buying the “best” gear or investing in fancy logos and websites at the start. Remember: you might not earn much in the beginning, so keep an eye on ROI (return on investment).
And definitely set aside a chunk of your side income for taxes (IRAS is watching). Financially savvy can make the difference between a rewarding side hustle and one that mysteriously loses you money.
Tip #4: Stay adaptable and be ready to pivot
The plan you start with will likely evolve. Maybe your online store’s handmade earrings aren’t selling, but your upcycled tote bags end up being a hit? It’s a good problem to have.
Be ready to adjust your focus. Or perhaps you realise you hate one aspect of the hustle (e.g., driving long distances for deliveries), can you tweak the model to minimise that?
Treat the process as a learning experience. It’s perfectly fine to pivot your idea, scale up if things go well, or even scale down if you find it’s too much. Remember, this side venture is your thing. You have the flexibility to design it in a way that suits your life.
Tip #5: Don’t neglect your well-being (or main gig)
Finally, keep your priorities in check. A side hustle should ideally enrich your life, not derail it. Schedule breaks and vacations from both your jobs.
Keep an eye on your health and stress levels. If you find yourself burning out, it’s time to re-balance (or reconsider the hustle altogether). And ensure you’re still meeting expectations at your primary job, if you have one. You don’t want to jeopardise your main source of income (or professional reputation) because you stayed up till 4:00am working on side business tasks.
Balance is key. It’s honestly easier said than done, but can’t be overlooked.
Final thoughts
The pressure to get your own side hustle is very real in today’s world. If you feel it, you’re in good company, because lots of us are navigating that same societal push to always be doing more.
But remember: you are allowed to opt out. Having a side hustle (or not) doesn’t define your worth or how ambitious you are. It’s just one path of many.
By understanding why the pressure exists, being clear-eyed about what a side hustle involves, and reflecting on your own capacity and goals, you can avoid the trap of jumping in just because “everyone else is.”
Maybe you’ll decide to launch that side project and it’ll become the next big thing. Or maybe you’ll decide you’re perfectly content focusing on your main gig and enjoying life outside of work—and that’s awesome too.
In a world that often glorifies “hustle,” choosing what’s right for you is the ultimate power move. So make the choice that aligns with your life, not everyone else’s.
Know anyone who’s about to start a side hustle or at least planning to? Share this article with them.
About the author
Having been writing for a little over 10 years, KC has flexed his pen in a variety of industries—think automotive, fitness, entertainment, and finance. He’s ultimately on a mission to prove that any topic, no matter how serious, can be made fun.
Off-duty? It’s all about food, drinks, parties, and gaming marathons.