Have you considered starting a Side-Hustle?
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain.
Do you have a side hustle?
Do you actually know what that even is?
A side hustle is a way of earning income doing something you love or have an aptitude for. Generally speaking, a side hustle supplements your main source of income and is something that you work around your full time job and family commitments.
In our parents’ days, it wasn’t uncommon for people to stay in the same job for most of their working life. In this day and age however, what with job losses and insecurity due to the pandemic, the global rising cost of living, and the very valid concern about if you’ll be able to support yourself through your senior years – it’s no surprise that many people are seriously considering starting a side hustle in their midlife season.
So where to start?
As someone who has virtually always had a side-hustle on the go – many due to the fact that I am one of those odd people who LOVES learning, and is always wanting to try new things – it’s a topic close to my heart. So much so, that I’ve written a book about it! Yes, Your Midlife Side-Hustle will be hitting the shelves in hopefully 6 – 8 weeks. Woohoo!
In the meantime though, let’s get your creative juices flowing with some ideas for side-hustles.
One kind of side hustle is utilising a special skill set you already have, or a creative outlet that brings you joy.
Some examples of skill set based side hustles are:
- Proofreading
- Copywriting
- SEO for websites
- Swim Coaching
- Social Media Management
- Car detailing
- Business coaching
Some examples of creative outlet based side hustles are:
- Pet photography
- Jewellery making
- Customized sewing projects
- Interior design
- Soap and candle making
- Craft Beer or Wine Making
- Wood or metal work
- Personal Styling
What is fabulous about launching a side-hustle at midlife, is that you’ve possibly already encountered some of the common experiences of this season, including the desire to reinvent or transform parts of your life. Launching a side-hustle can tick so many of the boxes of life reinvention, as you are giving yourself permission to learn and explore new skills – without placing yourself in financial jeopardy by throwing in your day job.
Once up and running, side-hustles can have a wonderful effect on your bank account and your self-esteem!
Sounds fabulous doesn’t it?
It doesn’t stop there either, as side-hustles can also rejuvenate your enthusiasm for work when you may have been feeling burned out with your 9-5. On the flip side of that, so many side-hustles actually go on to become the “main hustle,” allowing people to say goodbye to the boss for good!
There are so many other reasons why side-hustles are a fabulous thing to launch at midlife, with one being that you often find yourself learning skills that you had never anticipated. Taking your hobby or skill to another level requires a new understanding of business practices you may not have considered, and not only is it challenging to learn – it’s great for your brain as you age!
When I think of what I am capable of doing now: building a website, using social media intentionally, writing and filming books and content, delivering an online workshop or program, creating graphics, producing a podcast – none of these skills would ever have been learned if I didn’t commit to learning new things in order to grow my side-hustles.
You might like to check out these posts too:
If a side hustle sounds like just the thing you need to bring in extra income or you are getting excited about the thought of sharing your gifts and talents, then it’s time for you to explore the concept with more depth.
Ask yourself these questions:
Q: Do you have an aptitude for an aspect of life that others could learn from? Maybe you speak a second language, or know how to get the best out of a teen basketball team, or you have an amazing ability to train dogs. What knowledge or aptitude do you have that could help someone else?
Q: Do you have a skill set that others perceive as valuable? Are you an amazing quilter? Painter? Personal stylist? Singer? Website designer? What can you do that people would pay you to do for them OR pay you to teach them how to do likewise?
Q: Do you have a family tradition, recipe, or artisan skill that can be profitable? Are you a talented baker? Are you known for throwing amazing kids’ parties? Are you a homesteading queen, able to garden, can and create meals from what you produce at home?
Once you start to think about your skills and hobbies in a whole new way, you may surprise yourself by dreaming up the perfect side hustle – which has the potential to bring you more income, more fun, and more ways to express your creativity!
PS: I’ve just released a brand new report which I know you are going to love. Your Ultimate Midlife Side-Hustle Guide contains 30 side-hustle ideas you can use to start making money this week! Even if you are still unsure about some, use them as a spring board to help get your creative juices flowing! You can access it for FREE by clicking HERE.
Please Pin & Share!
Great suggestions here, I think it’s so important to keep busy especially using your mind.
Absolutely!
Yes, started a side-hustle about 6 years ago and found my creative outlet. Great tips on how to move forward, thank you for posting…this would be so helpful to many women, will share in my FB group too!!
Thanks so much for sharing and I love that you were able to find your creative-outlet via your side-hustle. Side-hustles don’t need to be boring “must-dos!”