Matt Everatt discusses what he has learned from his side hustles and how they can improve your mental health.
What is a ‘side hustle’? I’m not talking about moonlighting or, as us northerners say, ‘a fiddle job’. A side hustle is an additional job or activity that someone takes on alongside their primary source of income. It’s typically something flexible that can be done outside of regular working hours.
Side hustles can be anything from freelancing, tutoring, selling crafts or offering services. They also provide an extra way to earn money or explore personal interests.
I was interested to know how many of my peers had side hustles, so I asked the question in the Dental Technicians Great Britain group on Facebook. It was so interesting to read how so many had such varied ‘outside of their main job’ side hustles.
Several had mentioned they had invested in property as ‘buy to lets’, some had used their dental technician skills to make 3D printed demo models, and someone was making teeth for a Hollywood wax work museum. We also have dog trainers, laser etching gift makers, painters and car repairers, but my favourite was the owner of a gin distillery.
A ‘necessity’
For well over 25 years, I have had a side hustle – often a few at a time. My first side hustle was essentially an extension of my working day, taking on private orthodontic work to subsidise my less than average NHS salary while living in London. It was more of a necessity rather than a luxury.
I’d just purchased a flat and was struggling with trying to make ends meet. As the years passed by, that side hustle helped me develop my business skills and entrepreneurial spirit. It was hard work, sometimes putting in more hours after my full-time NHS work, but it helped raise much needed funds to maintain living in London.
It eventually helped springboard my future business growth and personal development. After all, I didn’t have wealthy parents who I could borrow from, although my mum let me re-mortgage her house to get me started, but that’s another story.
Living the dream
As time progressed, my side hustles changed. My private work became my daytime job and part of a new business venture. This meant it freed up time to develop new side hustles.
Side hustles can become more exciting, too. Some of mine have let me try out new hobbies. A friend of mine is into motor racing and recently started a business fixing and developing race engines for the Modified Ford Series. He needed some help developing the business and I saw a great opportunity, so we formed a new business.
We now have a racing team backed by our limited company, we fix and modify engines for Ford racing cars, we race our own cars, and we run corporate track days. This side hustle meant I could finally get involved in motor racing, something I had dreamt of as a young lad. I’ve even passed my race licence to allow me to take part in competitive racing.
Although I don’t think I’m the next Elon Musk or Richard Branson, I wanted to make investments that would offer some passive income in my years closer to retirement. And should I shuffle off this mortal coil earlier than expected, there will be assets for my family to help them in my absence.
What are the benefits of a side hustle?
There are so many benefits to having a side hustle, the obvious being the benefit of additional income. I started through necessity as I needed the extra income to afford to live in London at the time.
The danger with this is burnout. I was working 18-hour days sometimes, and because it was orthodontic lab work, I didn’t get a break from doing the same task. But it got a lot more exciting, and dare I say it improved my mental health and wellbeing when my side hustles were different from my day-to-day job. Particularly when it was more of a hobby or interest.
Sense of achievement
Successfully managing a side hustle can boost your self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment, leading to improved mental wellbeing. This was such a driver for me. Working in the NHS, I often felt shackled by the institution, and my side hustles were a great way of seeing quick results within my own time frame.
Reduced stress
Engaging in a side hustle that you’re passionate about can act as a stress-reliever by allowing you to focus on something enjoyable and fulfilling outside of your main job. Again, this spurred me on, despite being crazy busy at times. The buzz from achieving great things helped to release stress.
Purpose and meaning
It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day, often forgetting to do things for yourself. Pursuing a side hustle aligned with your interests or values can add a sense of purpose and meaning to your life beyond your regular job.
Personal growth
The challenges and learning experiences associated with a side hustle can promote personal growth and development, which positively impacts mental wellbeing. Having worked in an NHS dental lab since leaving school, I had rarely looked outside of the secure walls of dentistry. Taking on new challenges outside of my profession opened up new avenues, contacts and helped me develop new business skills.
Social interaction
Many of us dental technicians are solitary beings, and life at the bench can be lonely. Some side hustles involve interacting with clients, customers, or peers, which can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Work-life balance
Sounds contradictory, doesn’t it? But engaging in a side hustle that you’re passionate about can help you establish a healthier work-life balance by giving you a fulfilling outlet outside of your main job. Obviously, if your side hustle is doing more of the same ‘daytime job’, you have to be careful to avoid burnout.
Stimulation and engagement
Side hustles can prevent monotony and boredom, keeping your mind engaged and active. This can have positive effects on your overall mental state. I feel so much happier when my mind is active, and having the diversity really helps me.
Make it work for you
Of course, it’s important to strike a balance between your main job, side hustle and personal life to avoid burnout. If you find that your side hustle is causing excessive stress or negatively impacting your mental health, it might be worth re-evaluating your priorities and workload. In the early days when my second job was an extension of my daytime job, it was often stressful and involved long hours.
So, if you do have a side hustle, try and make it work for you, your family and your circumstances. I maintained a healthy relationship with it, setting some boundaries to ensure I had time to take holidays, play golf and football at the weekends, and enjoy the fruits of my labour.
This article first appeared in Laboratory. Start your CPD journey and receive Laboratory journal for only £49.99 – call 01923 851 732 to start your subscription.
