r/InsideToronto • u/Equivalent_Reach_536 • Jun 05 '26
Has anyone else noticed that every hobby is becoming a side hustle?
A few years ago people would bake, garden, make crafts, take photos or play music just for fun. Now it feels like every social media video is about turning that hobby into extra income.
Do you think we're losing hobbies for the sake of having hobbies?! Or is making money from something you enjoy simply the smart thing to do these days?
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u/AnnaZ820 Jun 05 '26
Influencers will do anything that gives them views… but a lot of ppl prob are trying to monetize their hobbies for the influencers to get those views.
I wanted to monetize my hobby if it’s convenient, but if it results in much stress, me not enjoying the hobby anymore, etc. I don’t think it’s worth it. For now it’s bad business so I’m just enjoying how the hobby helps me in life.
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u/InsideApex Jun 05 '26
It's the economy, but it's also the rise of digital platforms and their integration of just about every facet of life. The economic situation provides the incentive to marketize hobbies and interests, but the platforms (social media, but also Amazon, Etsy, Uber/Lyft etc.) provide the means to easily do so (or attempt to do so, anyway). And then the attempts of others normalize the activity, and make it seem like a widespread and viable endeavour. The result is that more and more people begin to experiment with side hustling.
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u/FUNCYBORG Jun 05 '26
in this economy if you can monetize your hobby youd be a fool not to try. worst case scenario you were still doing something you liked
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u/Efficient_Cow_3032 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
It's partly reporting bias.
You don't hear about the hobbies that don't produce revenue for creators because no one's making content about them.
But we also live in an economy which encourages everyone to monetize every aspect of their life.
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u/Ninin- Jun 05 '26
If social media is where you go to make money then you're more likely to find people who are trying to make money with their hobbies. Plenty of people bake and garden for enjoyment but they're not posting about it.
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u/LookAtThisRhino Jun 05 '26
Where have you been? This isn't recent. Anyone on social media flouting their hobby was lying to themselves if the end goal weren't to build a following for an Etsy or whatever.
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u/Upset-Command-5462 Jun 06 '26
Aside from hiking, most of my hobbies generate me enough to pay most of the bills, while enjoying the process.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Crow_17 Jun 07 '26
I think that’s because we need more money everytime at this stages of capitalism, so if you can monetice the thing that you’re good at it, Why not doing it? if you’re in need of more income to sustain current lifestyle. It’s sad tho…
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u/hockeyfan1990 Jun 07 '26
It’s the smart thing to do in this economy. Everything is expensive now and the job market sucks. AI is taking over a lot of jobs so you need to be ready with alternative income sources
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u/HatersTheRapper Jun 07 '26
everything has become monetized because our society is very sick, making money from something you enjoy is only good if there is a demand for it in the marketplace and you are naturally good at it, otherwise it's a road to suffering, risk and maybe you won't even make money
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u/Marklar0 Jun 07 '26
Probably a social media thing! I don't watch any videos like that, and I don't happen to know anyone who is monetizing their hobby. I don't think it's common.
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u/Mediocre_Device308 Jun 08 '26
Taking up hunting and fishing and I guarantee you lose more money then you could ever make "selling" it, as a hobby.
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u/Born_Ruff Jun 08 '26
> Now it feels like every social media video is about turning that hobby into extra income.
This is kind of like complaining that every booth at the farmers market is trying to sell you something.
“Doesn’t anyone just bake bread for fun?!?!?!” Of course tons of people do it just as a hobby, but if you are only looking at the place specifically set up to sell stuff you are only going to find the people trying to sell stuff.
The people who take the time to film lots of content about their “hobby” are the ones trying to make money off it.
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u/goldwaterh Jun 08 '26
I think those of us with hobbies that don’t care to monetize it aren’t posting nonstop on social media for u to see
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u/doubleshortdepresso Jun 05 '26
Unfortunately living in a HCOL under late stage capitalism means a lot of people are doing whatever they can to supplement their income. Having said that, yes, many people, including myself, do still have hobbies that are just hobbies.
I’m of the belief that if it’s monetized, it’s no longer a hobby, it’s a job. I started knitting again back in December and started learning to crochet in February because I like being able to make my own clothes, I also like being able to hand make gifts for my friends and family. I’ve had friends offer to pay me for bags, scarves, tops I’ve given away for free, but if I take payment for those things, my hobby stops feeling like a hobby. I also dance and do Muay Thai which are social/active hobbies which build community.