lifestyle and culture

I didn’t mean to start a side hustle. It just kind of happened. I started writing for fun and then I blinked and seven years later, here I am. And while I accidentally found myself side-hustling, I’m relieved to know I’m in good company. 50% of Americans have a side hustle! 1 in 2 people are working their 9 to 5 jobs, and then as soon as they clock out, they’re focusing on their 5 to 9 side hustles. From creating online courses to walking dogs to freelancing to becoming a content creator, the type of side hustles available now seems limitless. While side hustles are a way to supplement an existing income, their genesis differs from one person to another. Some people start a side hustle to increase their income and their lifestyle, while others utilize side hustles as a creative way to build new skills and boost their resume.
No matter the reason you want to start a side hustle, there are a lot of things to consider before taking the plunge. What seems like a good, easy idea can lead to working an 80-hour a week side hustle, leaving you tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. And while many people hear all the buzz and find themselves wondering how to have a side hustle, it might be more important to focus on why not to have a side hustle. If you’re wondering what those reasons are, here are six.

Don’t Start a Side Hustle If…

1. You Value Your Down Time
If you’re the kind of person whose downtime is filled with non-negotiables like practicing self-care, nurturing relationships, or focusing on self-improvement, side hustles may not be for you. While side hustles sound fun and flashy, they take up a lot of your hard-earned downtime. You may start a side hustle with the intention of saving extra money and creating a lifestyle of freedom, but what you might end up with is a rich bank account and a time bankrupt life. If a lack of time for the activities you love stresses you out, you might want to pause your plans to start a side hustle.
But if you’re willing to negotiate on a few of the items in your life that you used to see as non-negotiable, it could be time to take the leap. If you think you’re ready, here’s an activity you can do to test the waters. For one week, track your time, including your downtime. This will help you take stock of how much free time you actually have during the week and where you’re willing to change how you spend your time. Once you have a clear understanding of how much available time you’re willing to devote to a side hustle, it’ll be easier for you to get started.

2. Your Current Role Is Your Priority 
Side hustles require a lot of effort to get off the ground and maintain. Now think about adding that workload onto the current responsibilities of your full-time role. Does that feel like too much to manage? If so, now might not be the time to start your side hustle. If your current role is your focus because you’re trying to grow in your career or land a promotion, that is absolutely where you should dedicate your attention. Yes, many people call it a rat race, which sounds negative and unappealing, but aiming to build a career you love in a field you’re passionate about is something to be proud of.
Side hustles often get glamorized on social media and can instill a sense of FOMO. But they are of no value to you if they become a distraction from work. Getting a side hustle off the ground takes time, and it takes even longer if you want to turn a sustainable profit. So, it’s OK if you realize the modern-day American dream looks different to you. Everyone’s journey looks different, and there is no “right” career path. If a side hustle isn’t a part of yours right now, or ever, feel confident knowing you’ve built a career that works for you.
If you ever find yourself curious to dabble in the entrepreneurial space, know that going from a 9-to-5 a serial entrepreneur doesn’t happen overnight, which means you need a job to sustain you along the way. If you’re confident you can effectively balance your current role with your desire to start a side hustle, go ahead and get started. But know that it’s a balancing act, and if push comes to shove, the activity that actually pays your rent may take precedence.

3. It’s Misaligned With Your Goals
People aren’t always looking to get into the side hustle game because of money. Sometimes it’s for something money can’t buy: skills and experience. Learning new skills and gaining hands-on experience is an invaluable way to grow or pivot your career. I could write a book filled with true stories that illustrate this. Why? Because it’s exactly what I did. 
When my five-year plan after college began to crumble, I needed to figure out what was next. To do that, I started writing to process my career journey. I loved it so much that I decided I wanted to make writing a part of my full-time gig. But hiring an accounting major for a writing or communications role can be a hard sell. And so, I started freelance writing to gain transferable skills to land a new job. I was ready and willing to do whatever it took to prove I was worth hiring. It took a lot of unpaid gigs, early mornings, late nights, and missed plans. In hindsight, it was absolutely worth it. But it’s not for the faint of heart.
If your current personal or professional goal is to pivot careers or add valuable skills to your resume and a side hustle can support your goals, take every opportunity to get started. But if creating a side hustle feels misaligned with what you’re striving for, it’s OK for those plans to take a backseat so you can focus on achieving the goals at the top of your list.

4. You’re Looking for Immediate Passive Income
Side hustles are a great way to earn income, sometimes even passively. But it’s unrealistic to expect a cash flow from products and enjoy the passivepreneur lifestyle from day one. It takes upfront work to get to a place where you can set it and forget it to earn an automatic income. And while it sounds like rainbows and butterflies, there isn’t a magic button you can press to get you there. It often takes a solid business plan, substantial investment, grit, and determination. If you’re not in a place in your life where you are willing to put in the work and sacrifice some of your time, money, and comfort now to earn a passive income later, then I’d reconsider your side hustle plans. 

5. You’re Risk Adverse
Risks can be scary, and rightfully so. They challenge us and put us in uncomfortable situations without guaranteeing success. Taking a risk can often feel like a big leap of faith, and that’s exactly what starting a side hustle feels like. A risk-averse person may prefer never to start something if there’s no promise it’ll work out. But without risks, there are no rewards.
Risk-averse people may also seek comfort in job security. Job security is a wonderful thing, but it’s also a promise that a side hustle can’t keep. Starting a side hustle while you have a full-time job can help mitigate some of the risks that come with something new. If your idea fails (which it’s a totally normal thing that can happen and doesn’t mean you’re a failure), you have the cushion of a job to support you. Only you can determine your comfort level when launching a side hustle. But if you’re waiting for the right or safe time, know it may never come.

6. You’re Not Comfortable Marketing Yourself
When you start a side hustle, you’re a one-woman company. You have to wear many hats because you are the sales team and the talent and the customer service agent and the social media team and the tech team—and literally everything else. You are the face of your side hustle and the sole person responsible for making it happen. If you’re thinking, “Game on, I love this type of work,” then you’re ready to dive into a side hustle. But if it’s cause for hesitation, then I’d reconsider.
Being forward facing and putting yourself out there can be incredibly uncomfortable for people, but it’s absolutely necessary when side hustling. Being uncomfortable isn’t a bad thing. Growth often comes from discomfort. But you have to be ready to take on the uncomfortable stuff and market yourself to make your side hustle successful. It’s up to you to decide if you’re ready for the challenge.

5 Signs That You Should Take Your Side-Hustle Full Time More

I don’t love talking with strangers. I’m an introvert at heart, and making an effort to engage in social interaction often drains my energy. But still, I do it. Not because I feel like I have to, but because while it can be exhausting, it’s equally energizing. Talking with new people or even people you know of but have never engaged with before is how connections are made, friendships are formed, and potential business partners and clients are identified. Love it or hate it, chatting with people and making small talk is a necessary skill if you want to converse with strangers IRL instead of solely through social media DMs and text. But just because it’s necessary doesn’t mean it’s an innate skill everyone possesses. If you’re wondering how to have meaningful conversations, that’s where good conversation starters come in.
To help you start conversations that go beyond small talk, you need to have a few good conversation starters up your sleeve. And because I was equally as curious to have a few great conversation starters in my back pocket that spark memorable and interesting discussions no matter the situation, I did the work so you don’t have to. Here are 150+ good conversation starters for any situation. 

150+ Good Conversation Starters
We find ourselves in a lot of different situations throughout our lives that require very different ways to start a conversation. So, I’ve divided the list by different styles of great conversation starters to help you find the best conversation topics you may want to add to your list.

Easy Conversation Starters
Sometimes, we need an effortless way to get the conversation started. The next time you’re in need of something simple, try these.

I really like your [insert anything the person has on them or with them]. Where did you get it?
Are you a coffee or tea drinker?
What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
What are you currently reading?
What’s the last show you binged?
What’s your go-to comfort show?
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
What podcasts do you like listening to?
Do you have a favorite sport?
What’s your favorite holiday?
Do you have any pets?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla?
Are you a sweet or savory treat person?
What sports teams do you root for?
Are you a beach or mountain person?
Do you have any trips coming up?
What restaurant do you always recommend to out-of-town guests?
What was the first cell phone you had?
What’s the one app on your phone that you use the most?
What’s the last picture you took on your phone?
Do you believe in ghosts?
What are your kids really interested in right now?
Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world with all expenses paid?
Would you rather have a chauffeur or a personal chef as a gift for one month?
What’s your least favorite household chore?
What was the last thing you bought on Amazon?
What’s your favorite thing you purchased in the last year?

Deep Conversation Starters
With the right audience, deep conversation starters are a meaningful way to dive into great conversations.

What piece of advice would you give your 22-year-old self? 
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What advice would you give your younger self?
If you could change one thing about the way you were raised what would it be?
What’s a core memory from your childhood?
Do you have siblings? What’s the dynamic like and what role do you play?What’s one thing you miss from your childhood?
What’s one thing that used to be an insecurity but now you love about yourself?
If money wasn’t a concern, how would you spend your ideal day?
Education, experience, and money aside, what is your dream job?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
What’s something you’re currently struggling with?
What is one thing you’re grateful for right now?
If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
What motivates you?
If you were frozen in time, when would you want to be unthawed?
If someone came to you for advice, what would the topic be?
Biggest difference between your current decade and your previous one?
What’s a compliment you received that really stuck with you?
If you could change one thing about yourself, with the caveat that it can’t be anything physical, what would it be?
When was the last time you cried?

Conversation Starters For Texting
Not all conversations start in person. And while AIM isn’t a thing anymore (am I dating myself?), texting is. If you’ve exchanged numbers with someone after a successful first meeting and are not sure where to take the conversation next, try these fun conversation starters.

I need to know your opinion on… *insert topic*
You won’t believe what just happened! *insert story*
This is random, but *insert story*
Do you have any *insert topic* recommendations?
How did *insert topic* go? (try to tie in something from your in-person conversation)
I have nothing to watch, any recommendations? 
What are your most used emojis?
If you had to choose a song to describe your vibe what would it be?
What’s been your favorite part of the day so far?
What are your green flags?
Do you have any plans for this weekend?
How many photos are on your camera roll?
What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Work Conversation Starters
You may need good conversation starters in the office, at interviews, or even when working remotely. Or maybe you’re looking for networking conversation starters for your next event. No matter where you use them, do your best to keep the conversation professional.

What did you do this weekend?
Are you working on an exciting project right now?
What’s the best team-building activity you’ve ever been a part of?
What do you like to listen to when you’re working?
Do you prefer standing desks or sitting desks?
What’s your Starbucks order?
What was your very first job?
What is the best professional development book you’ve ever read?
What is your favorite work-related podcast?
What one skill you’re currently working on?
If you could work from anywhere, where would you work from?
What are your desk must-haves?
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
What’s your favorite part about working at your current company?
What has been the most enjoyable networking event you’ve attended?
How does your team measure success?

Family Conversation Starters
Conversations with family can feel safe and warm (or at least that is my hope for you). If you’re in a comfortable environment with those you love, it’s delightful to get the conversation going with questions centered around your family, past gatherings, and enjoyable memories.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What’s your favorite family gathering you’ve ever been to?
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
What’s your favorite movie from your childhood?
If you were stuck in an elevator full of family members, who are the five people you’d want to be trapped with?
What was your favorite subject in school and why?
Who is someone who positively impacted your life but doesn’t even know it?
Which family member cooks your favorite food?
What’s your favorite childhood memory?
What were your parents like when they were your age?
How has our family dynamic changed over the years?
What is something you wish we did more of as a family?
If budget wasn’t an issue, what would your dream family vacation be?
What are you most proud of?
What’s the best piece of advice you gave this year?
What’s the best thing about our family?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
What’s changed the most about me since I was a kid?
What are you glad I inherited?
If you could relive one moment of the past year, what would it be?
What’s a gift you really wanted as a kid but never got?
If we had to compete as a family, what Olympic sport do you think we could dominate at?
If our family had a reality show, what would it be called?

Flirty and Date-Worthy Conversation Starters
Are you on the apps and bored with all your Bumble conversation starters? Or are you looking for a way to freshen up your first date questions? Don’t worry. Try a few of these to get your flirt on.

What’s the first thing you noticed about me?
What’s your story?
What do you look for in a partner?
What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn how to do?
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
If you could be anyone for a day who would you be and why?
If you had to give your younger self advice, what would it be?
What would be your theme song if you had to pick one song to play every time you walked into a room?
What’s the worst date you’ve been on?
What’s your biggest turn-on?
If you took someone on a tour of your hometown, where would you take them and why?
Do you believe in love at first sight?
What’s the most attractive quality in a person?
Who was your first kiss and what’s the story behind it?
What’s your love language?
What’s something you could talk about forever?
Are you the type to be friends with your ex?
How many times have you been in love?

Party Conversation Starters
When it’s time to get the party started, you can often use conversation starters that are a bit more fun and adventurous. Try a few of these at your next gathering.

How do you know the host?
What’s your go-to drink order?
If you’re looking to have a good time, what’s the first thing you do?
When was the last time you laughed so hard that you almost peed your pants? What happened?
If you were a dog, what would breed would you be, and why?
What would the title of your autobiography be?
If you could star on any current television show, what show would you be on?
If you were going to star in a movie, who would you want to be your costar?
What’s a movie where you loved the original, but hated the sequel?
If you could host any reality show reunion, what would it be and why?
What’s your real housewife tagline? 
Do you have a hidden talent?
What songs would be played on a loop in hell?
If you were invisible and could go anywhere, where would you go?
What would you bring if you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things with you for entertainment?
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever Googled?
What is the most famous true-crime story from your hometown?
What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever broken?
What word do you always misspell? 
What product could you be a spokesperson for?
If you could have any talent, what would it be and why?
If you could build your dream home tomorrow, where would it be, and what are your must-haves for the design?

Road Trip Conversation Starters
Is there anything more fun than taking a road trip with good friends? If you’re traveling with someone, I’d like to think you’re already pretty well acquainted. But if you want to learn something fun and new about each other, try these questions.

What’s the best trip you’ve ever been on?
What’s a trip you want to take but haven’t had the chance to yet?
Have many states and countries have you traveled to?
Who are your top artists on Spotify?
What would you order for your last meal?
If you could get tickets to any concert, whether the band/artist is dead or alive, who would it be?
What is your favorite gas station snack?
What’s a personal goal you’re trying to achieve?
What are three words that best describe you?
What’s on your bucket list?
What music did you listen to in high school?
What song would you pick if you had to listen to one song for the entire car ride?
Who’s your role model?
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Who’s your current celebrity crush, and who was your first celebrity crush?
If you could only subscribe to and watch one streaming service for the rest of the year, which one would you choose?
If you were going to become immortal, at what age would you want to be when you stop aging?

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