the struggle: wanting to hustle vs. enjoying free time

[deek]

I've really been in a bind lately because I have two different desires playing tug-of-war. On one hand, I want to really start saving more money. On the other, I don't want to waste the free time I have in my late 20s. I'm trying to figure out if there's a balance I can strike. Do I try to find something I can do early mornings on the weekends? Do I try to find some gig 2 or 3 nights a week? I enjoy writing, do I start a blog and become crafty enough to do some freelance writing/editing? Just really struggling to figure this one out.

Anyone else feel the same way?

[Haselbacher]

I have the same problem. I decided to get up at 5am and start working on my projects before everyone gets up. But half of the days someone gets up earlier than expected and messes with my plan.
My tip: Hustle a lot before you have kids... 😉

[jlcnuke]

You could try a different approach - try to make more money in your primary job instead of taking on another job. I.e. find out what will advance your primary career so that it makes more money permanently instead of investing your time into a temporary "hustle".

[SunscreenYourGreen]

Have to agree with Haselbacher. Hustle before you have kids. They really throw a dent in any free time. I wake up at 530 and try to get a workout and run in before anyone else gets up. Sometimes it works out. Other times not so much. I struggle with what you're going through too. I just started a blog actually and am still having difficulty finding enough time throughout the day to write decent content. Weekends are a no go as that's family time. I've been getting to work early and trying to write before the emails coming flying in. Seems to work for the most part. I've never wanted to be on my death bed wishing I had done something/started something. So if it's important to me, I'll find the time by sacrificing something else. I try to be alert to any negative effects on my performance in my primary job or as a good father. If I see anything happening that I don't like, I'll adjust accordingly. Still working on my "balance."

[deek]

You could try a different approach - try to make more money in your primary job instead of taking on another job. I.e. find out what will advance your primary career so that it makes more money permanently instead of investing your time into a temporary "hustle".

Right now I find myself in a retail back office setting making $16 and hour. The flexibility they allow is nice. No strict time you have to show up, can stay if you have work to do. I'm right at 6 months. Might just have to start putting in some overtime, but I don't see myself being here too far into the future. I've got to do something else soon that has a lot more income potential. The problem is I'm 26, don't feel super passionate about anything that will make me money full time, so I'm just kind of waiting until something calls out to me. It's super frustrating.

[SC93]

Just find something that you think you can do and jump in. If I would have waited until I found something I really loved to do, I'd still be waiting. Besides, you need to get some experience... you will make mistakes. So jump in to doing something..... learn from it and the odds are that something will come along and flip the switch for you. If you wait on the sidelines it's probable that the right opportunity will pass you by while you are not in the loop. You are putting too much thought in to it.... just do it!

[undercover]

I agree - focus on making more money (in a big way) before worrying about side hustles of overtime. Think big. Rush to get base-FI and then scale back and do what you want, but you need to do this now instead of waiting. Picture yourself doing something and just do it. Imagine that your body and mind isn't really yours, you're just watching, but you're also the master. Visualize, then do. Sounds cheesy but it actually does work.

Also - passion will never find you, you have to find it. Passion is also misunderstood if not overrated. You develop and cultivate passion, it will never just appear out of nowhere. You may fail many times, but you will never become successful if you never even try.

[deek]

Yep, I tried nearly everything until I stumbled into what I was passionate about. It’s hard to know what you will love without trying it first. I’m 35, I’ve worked in nearly a dozen different industries, I’ve studied over 30 different disciplines, and had countless productive hobbies.

Just try things. Personally, I wouldn’t worry too much about profitability of trying things at the early stages because a lot of non-profitable stuff can be your best path to profit. You are young, just focus on getting to know yourself through challenges. You never know where they can lead.

Honestly, the biggest professional advantage I gained in my 20s was by getting involved in a number of challenging volunteer activities, which networked me and made me valuable to some very successful people. Many non profits are supported by industry benefactors who often serve on the board.

Unless you have a clear career trajectory, then doing a bunch of stuff that broadens your experience, skills, value and network is by far the best career building strategy you can have.
Adding more poorly paid, low skill work with minimal networking opportunities may put a bit more money in your pocket, but isn’t as likely to launch your career forward the way connecting with and impressing someone important can.

An option is finding something you enjoy and try to find a non profit activity that’s either directly or tangentially related. That way you are not wasting your “free time” and you are likely to meet some amazing people.

This is reassuring. Lately I have reached out to a forest area conservation non profit to see how I can volunteer. I may start by participating in clean up days and doing some photography of their land. There are some interesting people on their board I could strike up some conversation with down the road. So that's one avenue. I am probably in too much of a hurry because I feel like just yesterday I graduated from college. That was almost 4 years ago now. I could be in a much different place in even 3 years. I do not want children until I'm at least 30-32 so I've gotta make the most of these next 4 or 5.

[Ryland]

This is awesome. If you've been following Mustachian practices then you should have some flexibility already built into your portfolio (debt paying off or gone, a decent size savings growing, investments being contributed too).

At this point you should 100% go after building that side hustle. One of the goals of MMM is not having to work for money. And if creating a side hustle helps you do that (while you continue getting funded from your current job) then hell yes, go after it.

Here's a great article to start: https://growthlab.com/my-checklist-for-finding-a-profitable-business-idea/

I left my job after 4 years of mustachianism and slowly building up a side hustle while at work. What you really want is a self-fulling life filled with purpose and enjoyment. Creating a small gig can totally help you achieve that.

PM if you want some more help or a sounding board. Cheers

[big_slacker]

I echo what has already been said about doing side hustles if you don't yet have kids. You don't know busy till you have kids. Today I woke up at 5am, went to work and busted out everything I could do till 2pm (ate lunch at my desk while attending a meeting), then came home, fed and let the dog out and went right back out to pick the kids up. Got them home and helped with homework while I made early dinner, then got the both ready and off to wrestling practice which starts at 6pm. Back home by 7:30 and get them final post workout food, pajamas, off to bed. 8-9 I'm drinking a beer and reading some email, dicking around on the internet like I am now. I'll be off to bed by 9 or so.

Everything else fits in around work and family. Not every day is 14-15 hours but every day is at least 12 between work and kids. And if I'm taking off time for biking or whatever my wife isn't so it has to be balanced. I also do a side gig that netted $30k last year but if I'm doing that I'm taking away from either hobby time or my wife's downtime.

All of this is a roundabout way of saying you have a LOT of time if you're single or partnered up without kids. Work some, enjoy some, and STFU about not having enough time. :D