Why Side Hustles Feel Mandatory Today: Gen Z Reflects

For many, pursuing one job does not feel enough. We now see side hustles as a "have to do" thing. People are constantly trying to overburden themselves just to feel that they are doing 'enough'. This shift is changing the whole socio-economic diaspora. Working more feels okay, but doing it without drawing boundaries poses serious threats towards the upcoming generation. 

Why It Feels Important

The cost of living has gone up rapidly, while salaries have not kept the same pace. Rent, food, and healthcare take up a large part of monthly income.

For many, a full-time job barely covers essentials, leaving little room for savings or emergencies. A side hustle becomes a way to fill that gap. Permanent jobs no longer feel permanent.

Having a side hustle feels safe. And obviously, a constant pressure to sound productive remains a key reason for these. After marriage and children, the pressure to earn more increases. For many people, the push toward side hustles begins when money starts to mean independence.

As Shruti Bedi, a student and budding journalist, puts it, “I never cared about side hustles in school. I didn’t need money, so it never crossed my mind. Then the first semester of college happened, and that is when I realised money meant independence.”

Shruti shared that she started doing debates and competitions for prize money and saved up to buy her first digital camera. “It was not expensive, but it felt huge because I earned it myself,” she says.

That feeling of earning and choosing for yourself explains why side hustles feel necessary today; they give people ownership over their lives.

For Gen Z, side hustles are about keeping options ready. As Tanya Savkoor, a journalist, explains, "Gen Z has always grown up with so much information at the tip of their fingers, so we're restless. Committing to one 9-5 job feels like we're 'not doing enough.'"

Tanya reflects a generation raised on constant stimulation and endless possibilities. With skills, content, and inspiration always available, sticking to one role can feel restrictive.

Side hustles become a way to explore interests, stay engaged, and shape an identity that isn’t tied to just one job.

Ankita Kundu, a student and writer, adds another striking point. "The major reason I believe can be peer pressure, maybe," she says, "When you see your friends or classmates doing so much, you automatically feel why you are not. And it’s not jealousy, but the fear of falling behind.”

In an age where achievements are constantly visible, comparison becomes hard to escape. Watching peers live busy, productive lives can create the feeling that staying still means losing or lagging behind.

Technology Makes It Easier

The internet has made side hustles more accessible than ever. From online tutoring to selling products or offering services, people can earn without leaving their homes. This ease has blurred the line between free time and work, making “doing nothing” feel unproductive.

Not all side hustles are driven by passion. For many, they are about survival. The idea of “loving what you do” often takes a back seat to what brings in extra income quickly.

While side hustles offer financial relief, they also come with burnout. Long hours, lack of rest, and constant pressure to be productive can take a toll on mental and physical health.

What looks empowering on the surface can feel exhausting in real life. Side hustles feel mandatory today because the system quietly demands them.

Views expressed are the author's own.