Not All "Side Hustles" Lead to Success; Some Quit Due to "Burnout"
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Amid the growing trend of side hustles or taking on part-time jobs among young workers, not all stories end with financial success or personal development.
Behind the narratives that often go viral on social media, some Gen Z individuals face a different reality: fatigue, time pressures, and uncertain income.
The side hustle phenomenon or part-time work is indeed often seen as an alternative path to boost income while expanding skills. However, in practice, juggling two roles simultaneously does not always go smoothly.
Time pressures, physical exhaustion, and income uncertainty become challenges faced by some young workers. In several cases, side hustles turn into additional burdens that drain energy.
When expectations do not align with reality, some workers eventually choose to quit and refocus on their main job.
He admitted that his interest began from a simple desire to utilise a hobby while opening up opportunities for extra income. Besides economic factors, his social environment also influenced his decision.
Evan saw many peers his age engaging in side jobs, making it feel like something normal to try.
He started his side hustle about one and a half years ago, while working in the marketing department of an e-commerce company. In the initial stage, he admitted he was not too serious and focused more on the learning process.
“The initial goal was simple: to get extra income and experience managing my own projects. At first, it was just trial and error, not too serious, just wanting to learn how to handle clients and deadlines on my own,” Evan told Kompas.com on Thursday.
Over time, his expectations grew. He imagined significant additional monthly income, along with broader professional experience.
“The hopes were quite high at the start. I thought I could get a few million rupiah extra each month and gain experience managing freelance projects,” he said.
However, reality did not always align with those hopes.
“But in reality, clients don’t always come regularly, income is sometimes unstable, and some projects even cause stress due to tight deadlines,” Evan said.
“The office job remains the priority, while the side hustle starts to pile up, reducing sleep and almost eliminating social time. Plus, the income is inconsistent, so it feels like the energy put in isn’t worth the results,” he revealed.
According to him, the biggest challenge is dividing time and energy amid a packed routine.
“Sometimes client deadlines clash with office meetings, so I often have to work overtime. Not to mention having to learn new skills to meet client demands, which also tires the mind,” he said.
The ongoing pressure eventually impacts his physical and mental condition.
“The head feels tired, the body exhausted, and sometimes the mood is unstable. That’s what finally made me rethink whether it’s worth continuing the side hustle or focusing on the main job,” Evan said.
Additionally, rest time and social life are also disrupted.