Quitting my side hustle was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. After running a small business for two years while working full-time, I noticed my health and relationships starting to suffer. The constant juggle between my day job, side business, and personal life left me exhausted and unfulfilled.
Making $500 extra per month wasn’t worth the 20+ hours I spent each week away from my family and friends. The stress began affecting my sleep, and my main job performance started to slip. My side hustle had transformed from an exciting opportunity into a heavy burden.
My choice to step away opened up time for self-care, career growth, and meaningful connections. The experience taught me valuable lessons about setting boundaries, recognizing burnout signals, and measuring success beyond just money.
Key Takeaways
- Side hustles can drain energy and impact performance at your main job.
- Time spent with family and maintaining health outweighs extra income.
- Walking away from additional income requires courage but promotes personal growth.
The Allure of Side Hustles
Extra money and creative freedom drew me to start my own side business, just like millions of other millennials seeking more from their careers.
Understanding the Hustle Culture
I joined the side hustle movement in 2020 when I started freelance writing on weekends. The promise of extra cash while working from home was too good to pass up. Many of my friends picked up side gigs too – driving for Uber, selling crafts online, or consulting.
The appeal is clear: an extra income stream can help pay off debt or build savings. In my case, I earned $500-1000 monthly from writing articles in my spare time.
Side hustles also let me explore my interests without quitting my day job. I could test new skills and business ideas with lower risk.
When a Side Gig Becomes a Main Attraction
My freelance writing started small but grew quickly. Within 6 months, I had regular clients and steady work. The flexibility to set my own schedule and rates felt empowering.
Some key benefits that pulled me in:
- Control over my income potential.
- Freedom to choose projects.
- Building valuable skills.
- Meeting new clients and contacts.
The extra money was great, but I loved the creative outlet most. Writing let me express myself while helping others with their content needs.
Many side hustlers find their part-time work more fulfilling than their main jobs. The independence and growth potential can make the side gig feel like the real career path.
The Tipping Point
My journey to quitting my side hustle came down to clear warning signs that impacted every part of my life. The signs showed up in my health, relationships, and even started affecting my main job performance.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Burnout
I noticed myself feeling exhausted all the time, even after a full night’s sleep. My morning coffee didn’t give me the same energy boost anymore.
Tasks that used to take me an hour started taking three. I found myself staring at my computer screen, unable to focus on simple emails.
Physical warning signs I experienced:
- Constant headaches.
- Muscle tension.
- Irregular sleep patterns.
- Frequent illness.
The Impact on Personal Relationships
My friends stopped inviting me to events because I always said no. I missed my nephew’s birthday party because I was too busy with client work.
My partner and I barely talked except about work schedules and household tasks. Date nights turned into working nights where I answered emails on my phone.
Family dinners became rare. When I did show up, I was mentally somewhere else, thinking about deadlines and projects.
Financial Consequences on Primary Income
My main job performance dropped significantly. I started making mistakes I never made before.
I missed two important client meetings because I stayed up late working on side projects. My boss noticed and gave me a warning.
Money issues I faced:
- Lost a potential promotion.
- Missed performance bonus.
- Had to use sick days due to exhaustion.
- Declined extra responsibilities that could have led to raises.
The cost of maintaining my side hustle started eating into my primary income. I realized I was losing more money at my day job than I was making from my extra work.
Shifting Priorities Towards Wellbeing
My mental and physical health took a major hit while trying to juggle multiple commitments. I learned that true success means protecting my wellbeing and creating space for what matters most.
Redefining Success and Contentment
I used to measure success by how much I could accomplish in a day. The constant pressure to maximize every minute left me feeling empty and anxious.
Now I focus on meaningful goals that energize me rather than drain me. Getting enough sleep and having time for friends and family brings more satisfaction than another client project ever did.
My new definition of success includes:
- Having energy for activities I enjoy.
- Being present with loved ones.
- Feeling calm and centered.
- Making choices aligned with my values.
Learning to Establish Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries transformed my relationship with work. I started blocking off regular breaks during the day and stopped checking emails after 6 PM.
I learned to say “no” to projects that didn’t excite me or fit my schedule. This wasn’t easy at first, but protecting my time and energy became non-negotiable.
Some key boundaries I maintain:
- Dedicated meal breaks away from my desk.
- Phone-free evenings with family.
- Regular exercise time.
- One full day off each week.
The Role of Self-Care in Maintaining Balance
Self-care isn’t selfish – it’s essential for sustainable success. I schedule self-care activities with the same priority as work meetings.
My morning routine now includes meditation and a short walk. These small habits help me stay grounded throughout the day.
Physical activity plays a huge role in managing my stress levels. I make time for exercise even during busy periods.
Simple self-care practices that work for me:
- 10 minutes of morning meditation.
- Regular movement breaks.
- Healthy meal planning.
- 8 hours of sleep each night.
Navigating the Financial Aftermath
Making the switch from having multiple income streams to a single source required careful planning and smart money moves. My experience taught me valuable lessons about financial adaptability and peace of mind.
Consulting with a Financial Advisor
I scheduled a meeting with a certified financial advisor to create a solid plan for my new income situation. We looked at my monthly expenses, savings goals, and investment strategy.
The advisor helped me build a realistic budget that matched my reduced income while keeping my long-term financial goals intact.
My biggest takeaway was learning to adjust my investment portfolio to balance risk and growth with my new financial reality.
Adjusting Personal Finance Goals
I revisited my monthly budget and made practical changes. My top priority was maintaining my emergency fund and retirement contributions.
I cut back on non-essential spending and found creative ways to save money. Meal prepping and canceling unused subscriptions saved me $300 monthly.
My retirement timeline needed slight adjustments, but I stayed committed to my 15% monthly contribution goal.
Exploring Alternative Income Streams
I focused on maximizing my primary job’s earning potential by taking on extra projects and pursuing promotional opportunities.
My company offered performance bonuses and overtime pay, which helped fill some income gaps. I earned an extra $5,000 in my first year through these opportunities.
I started investing in dividend-paying stocks to create passive income. At first, the returns were modest, but they grew steadily over time.
I also picked up freelance consulting work during my lunch breaks. This brought in an additional $200-400 monthly without disrupting my work-life balance.
