Side Hustle vs Main Job
Those of you who know me — and perhaps have worked with me — know that I’m passionate about supporting people to unlock their potential and step into more of their strengths, talents, and purpose — their piece of the jigsaw.
Now, I recognise that realistically we can’t all give up the day job and suddenly seek to earn our living entirely in an area that feels fully aligned with our real purpose.
But the problem is, if we don’t have an outlet for our creativity, it’s likely to stifle us in other areas of our lives.
If we are not honouring our gifts and raison d’être, this will inevitably affect whatever else we choose to do.
A Client’s Story
Recently I had a client who is a writer, yet sees himself as unemployed. He’s actively applying for jobs as a copywriter or journalist, sending applications daily. He feels he’s disappointing his parents because he hasn’t met their expectations of having a “proper,” professional, well-paid job.
In the course of our work together, it became clear that one of his main issues is that he can’t properly apply himself to his creative outlet because he feels guilty about not making a good living in a so-called “proper” job.
However, he also struggles to apply himself to finding that job because of low self-esteem and shame. He feels bad about not meeting his parents’ expectations, and this lack of confidence seeps into his job applications. He’s caught between the pull of others’ expectations and his own inner voice, losing confidence in both paths.
Creativity as a Calling
When I go to watch musical performers — I love Adele and Patti Smith in particular — I so admire their ability to own their voices, their creative expression, and to really dig deep into that.
Now, we are not all Patti Smiths. We cannot all be full-time creatives. But here’s what I believe:
🌿 Embrace your creativity. It’s not an either/or. Yes, the bills need to be paid — but if we keep boxing off our abilities, we stop ourselves from shining.
🌿 Notice where you are at your best — and follow that. My client loves his writing group; it’s important that he continues to nurture this, even while seeking other opportunities.
🌿 Seek to understand what’s holding you back. Often, it’s not external circumstances, but internal blocks — guilt, fear, or comparison — that stop us from bringing more of ourselves into the world.
When we integrate our creative selves — even in small ways — we begin to feel more whole, more energised, and more at peace. You don’t have to abandon your job to live with purpose. But you do need to honour the part of you that longs to create, express, and contribute in your own unique way.
Ready to Explore Your Own Path?
If you’re feeling that inner pull to bring more of you into your work or life — whether through creativity, a career change, or simply wanting to feel more aligned — I’d love to support you. Through one-to-one coaching and psychotherapy, I help people gain clarity on their purpose, move beyond self-doubt, and create meaningful change in a grounded and practical way.
✨ You don’t have to have it all figured out — you just need to take the first step.
👉 Book a free discovery call to explore how we can work together and begin your own journey towards a more purposeful, fulfilling life.
