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Thoughts on becoming self-employed and making a living off my passions? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by monovergent@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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My performance is passable and my motivation is mediocre at work. I swear it was my dream job at some point, but I can't help but feel like it's become a slog. It makes my family proud and pays the bills comfortably though.

It's only recently settled in me that laziness isn't the word for it. I've found that I'll work my ass off for something if I'm genuinely and deeply passionate about it. Like the hobbies that cut into my time for sleep.

This has lead me to frequently daydream about "following my passions" and becoming self-employed instead of sticking with the conventional, safe career I previously envisioned. Living a life that brings me more joy. I've fantasized about making and selling gadgets. Perhaps becoming a content creator to promote those gadgets. All the things that bring me joy, but I have little time to do alongside my current job.

But I only have so much saved up and I'm lacking connections with those who have more resources. And in this economy, I don't know when I'll have another chance at my current job if I end up realizing that it was better. Will monetizing my hobbies inevitably ruin them? The grass looks greener on the other side, but will I go back to thinking the same once I'm on the other side? Or have you or someone you know pursued a genuine passion, made it a career, and never looked back?

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[–] golden_zealot@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 week ago

If I had to guess I would say that your hobbies have a lot of tangibility while your paying job does not.

To make something with your hands and to see the result of it in front of you is a very human experience that is ingrained in us.

Many jobs today rob you of this. There is often nothing tangible to be seen from your efforts, there is only ever more work.

In the world today as it is, there will always be some amount of this. Running your own business comes with a lot of paperwork and tasks that you do not initially expect or know how to do.

Some of the saddest people I have seen are those who succeed in their business doing such a thing. They may make a lot of money, but are again removed to a corporate position in some capacity in which they are supposed to be some kind of "visionary". This again robs them of doing the thing that they love to do, to deal with it directly.

There is a middle ground where you can keep doing the thing and make good money, but if very successful, there is a point in which you would have to limit your business's growth in order to stay in touch with it. This is one of the reasons why a lot of people will sell their business and then go do it all over again with their capital - because they don't just want the money, they genuinely want to be involved.

Of course, this is all assuming success. If possible it is best to test the waters. See what you can do in your spare time to get something rolling, invest some off-time in it, read about how to establish a business plan and how to incorporate as well as the pertinent tax information you will need to know and the cost of fees etc. If you want content creation to be rolled in, try building something out as a proof of concept, get it patented/copyrighted and then make a video demonstrating it and share it around to get a general feeling for what people think, and then act on what you hear.

Risk is a cornerstone of business, and the thing about taking risks is that you do not know unless you try - but you can work to try to improve your chances.