Nowadays, people blur the line between passion and work, essentially bringing the two together to the point that they’ve become inseparable in the lives of many. In fact, you’ve probably had at least two or more people you know who’ve gone through this transition already. Maybe it’s a friend who wrote occasionally turning into a published author or even your neighbor down the street who now sells her homemade desserts.
From Hobby To Hustle
What we see today is the accumulation of changes from hobby to hustle. Instead of treating these recreational activities as a past-time, people see them as marketable skills or products that other people would enjoy. And we can now bear witness to many success stories that turned their passion into their dream job.
- Prevalence of the Gig Economy: One factor that heavily influenced the rise of hobbies turning to hustle is the rise of the gig economy, where people preferred working on a more flexible basis. Essentially, more people are picking up side hustles and freelance jobs as their part-time, with the intent of turning them into a sustainable livelihood.
- Passion Meets Self-sufficiency: Values are also changing, and with success stories being made every day, people are making the conscious decision to live their life by their passion. The traditional 9 – 5 setting no longer applies to the new generation of the workforce, and more people are making financial decisions based on what the soul craves.
All that said, not all hobbies are treated the same, and some tend to pay better than the rest. So, today we’ll be taking a look at some hobbies you might want to try to turn into your side hustles.
#1 Work with Animals
How about turning your passion for animals into something a little more lucrative? Many households with immunocompromised members are unable to take their dogs for a walk, so why not offer to do so? Alternatively, you can use some of that time to volunteer at shelters. It won’t pay, but it can certainly uplift your mood.
If you have a passion for larger animals, like horses, you could try your hand at horse-grooming services. Hang around harness horse auctions and you might just find that there are plenty of horse experts there willing to share their knowledge. The sky’s the limit, and there’s no reason not to give it a shot with all the free time we have.
#2 Illustration and Design
If you’re the type who enjoys creative expression and spends their time sketching every so often, then you might want to continue that passion because illustration and design is a hobby that certainly pays well. Sure, we all have our different starting points, and some people are born with an innate talent for the arts, but these skills tend to develop over time and with experience.
After you’ve reached a certain point where you’re confident in your work or are capable of meeting a certain standard, you can easily open up for commissions and have people by the hundreds swarming to you. Plus, if you’ve already built up a loyal following or a substantial portfolio, there are plenty of careers that line up with illustration and design skills!
#3 Photography and Videography
Photography and videography are easily some best-paying skills out there but also one of the most competitive markets to penetrate. However, if you consider yourself gifted or determined in putting in the hours, there’s a plethora of work and career available to you in this field. From selling stock photos and videos to handling same-day edits for events, there’s no end to how specialized you can get.
Plus, if you’re good at speaking, have something interesting to share, and a fun personality, then you should consider vlogging and streaming as well. They can be very engaging and have the potential to earn you a lot of money, so it’s not something you can set to the side.
#4 Backyard Gardening
Although backyard gardening isn’t a novel concept, it is a hobby that has stood the test of time and proven itself as one of the best things to become passionate about. Sure, you won’t become a multinational corporation that sells your home-grown veggies any time soon, but you’ll have food to grow and enjoy. And these simple things cut back your expenses and help you live a more fulfilling life.
Plus, if you prefer growing and caring for decorative plants, there’s a niche and considerably large market for them. And, while it may seem like anyone can grow a plant, certain types require the careful touch of an expert, which is a skill you can work and market to your locale.
But, You Should Enjoy Them
However, most important of all is you have to enjoy them! It’s not a passion worth betting on if you don’t find it fulfilling and exciting to do. So, don’t worry if you prefer flower pressing or brewing beer. As long as you’re having fun and enjoying yourself, you don’t have to make everything a chance to profit.
