3 Signs You Should Quiet Quit Your Side Hustle
I’m not a huge “quiet quitting” proponent, because I think the concept shouldn’t exist. There should just be “getting money for doing your job.”
But when it comes to your own side hustle, sometimes quiet quitting is actually the best idea for you. This is because hustle culture has invaded our side gigs to a tremendous degree.
Most creators think it isn’t enough just to do the bare minimum — publishing content once a week. So you’re on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and probably TikTok nowadays, doing the Absolute Most to try to make your side hustle take off.
And it’s not working.
Most people won’t admit this. (Mostly because they’re too busy grinding for their side hustle). But it’s true. Sometimes, if you want to save your blog, channel, or business, quiet quitting may be the answer.
Why is quiet quitting a good solution?
Think of it like the anti-hustle antidote.
It’s easier than ever to earn money online, but it’s not easy to make money. Because these platforms are so open and user-friendly, it’s all too simple to fall into the trap of believing you should be absolutely raking in the cash on Day 1. And if you don’t? That just means you have to hustle harder.
It can feel like if you just push harder (no matter at what cost), you’ll squeeze out more pennies and finally be satisfied.
Spoiler alert: you won’t be.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m 100% convinced you can make money creating content about what you love without burning out. But some sacrifices aren’t worth the dream of your creative empire. Sometimes, it’s okay to quiet quit. Drop every extra responsibility and do the bare minimum. Your side hustle will survive it.
Here are three red flags that mean the hustle has overtaken you.
1. Quiet quit your side hustle if it’s an insufferable grind.
Read that sentence again. If blogging is a grind — if you’re tired, fed up, exhausted, or bored of blogging — then dial it right back down.
Building an audience takes commitment and perseverance. But this shouldn’t come in the form of endless frustration and disappointment. The whole point of blogging is that you should enjoy it.
What many people seem to forget is that they don’t see results because they’re not having fun. They’re trying too hard and getting burned out while doing so.
It’s like trying to squeeze a cube into a cylinder-shaped box — forcing it to fit will waste your time and energy. And you’ll destroy the box. So, find something that truly matters to you. Something you love. It’s not worth blogging for less than minimum wage and not even enjoying it.
2. Quiet quit your side hustle if you miss out on the real world.
I remember the times when I religiously and obsessively managed my cats’ Instagram account. I didn’t even get paid for it. I just did it for the fame (and some free cat toys).
Regrettably, I paid the ultimate price: less quality time with friends, less energy, and more stress. Once I realized the sacrifice I was making, I ditched that account. I still post occasionally but only when I genuinely want to. In return, I can spend more time with the things and people I love. In the real world.
I’ve since applied the same rules to my blog and never regret trading a few views for gaining time with friends.
3. Quiet quit your side hustle if it affects your mental health.
It doesn’t matter if you make six figures with your blog, earn minimum wage, or write for free. The truth is that no amount of money legitimizes sacrificing your mental health at the altar of your blog. Simple as that.
Realizing you need a break from writing online usually means you should’ve taken one two weeks ago. Ultimately, I always regret to keep pushing my sanity for a few extra views, followers, or pennies. Conversely, taking a break or quitting altogether is always the right move.
None of these signs apply to me, Zulie! Should I keep trying to make money with my side hustle?
Great! Don’t quiet quit. If the signs above don’t apply to you, I encourage you to keep going. Your side hustle can be one of the most rewarding, engaging, and fulfilling activities in life. But then again, it’s not worth everything you have. So don’t feel obliged to keep your side hustle alive at all costs.
If you’re having fun, then it’s worth the effort to continue building your audience and your income.
We often think of quitting as this one-time, irreversible, radical decision. But it’s not. You’re allowed to press pause, recharge your batteries, and just quiet quit your side hustle. Come back to full strength whenever you feel like it — whether that’s after one day, one month, or one year.
Happy writing (or quitting),
Zulie
