SECOND VOICE:  de hustle (noun). /'s??d h?sl/. A side hustle is a secondary job, gig or income-generating project undertaken in addition to a primary occupation. People use it to supplement their income, pursue passions, or build businesses without leaving their main jobs.

In today's world, many young people are attracted to the concept of having side hustles to improve their life circumstances or simply to have multiple income streams. 

We glamourise this idea with 'financial freedom' and do not consider the potential consequences. We sympathise with young people, agreeing that they have a unique struggle with psychological and financial pressures in today's society. 

Social media also adds to the equation, glorifying things such as relentless hustle mentalities and making people believe that busyness determines their self-worth. 

Seeing others achieve certain goals through multiple income streams adds to the pressure. Think about all that glamourisation for one second ... We think that because we are young, we have all this energy and time. 

The reality is, we are busy destroying ourselves. It all leads to burnouts and exhaustion. Don't get me wrong. I am not anti side hustle. I am urging people with side hustles like myself to have a realistic balance between rest and taking on extra work. 

According to a survey on SideHustle.com, about 67% of over 1 000 side hustlers say the thing that's supposed to help them is actually wearing them down. Almost one in five admit these side gigs stress them out more than their actual jobs. And still, 70% keep going. 

Not because they're passionate. Not because they love it. But because they feel like they have no other option. The part we don't say out loud is that for most people, a side hustle isn't some exciting extra stream of income. It's survival dressed up to look like a choice. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Group Editors and its publications.

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