Side Hustle Burnout Alert: Is This Crazy Trend Pushing Everyone Too Far?

Side hustles were initially seen as a way for individuals to get ahead financially, pay off debts, boost savings, or break free from the traditional 9-to-5 work schedule. However, for many Americans, these additional jobs have turned into secondary full-time roles, complete with all the fatigue and without any of the perks.

According to a recent survey by SideHustles.com, the year 2025 has shown that a staggering 67% of those with side hustles feel overwhelmed and burnt out. This sentiment is particularly strong among Gen Z and millennials, with 73% and 68% respectively reporting high levels of exhaustion. Shockingly, nearly 20% of respondents find their side jobs more draining than their primary employment. This includes after-hours Uber driving, sacrificing weekends to meet freelance deadlines, or staying up late to produce TikTok videos in hopes of earning more per impression.

Burnout among side hustlers isn’t something that builds up over time; it hits hard and fast. Most individuals reach a tipping point after just eight hours of side work per week, which is much less than the average 15-hour workload many take on. Notably, the burnout rate spikes for those managing three or more side hustles, making them 24% more likely to feel overwhelmed compared to those with just one.

The relentless demand for output is taking its toll in multiple areas of life. Forty-one percent of hustlers report that their extra work interferes with their sleep, while a third say it has negatively impacted their mental health and mood. Furthermore, 22% acknowledge that their relationships suffer due to the strains of gig work. Despite the allure of flexibility and independence, burnout seems to be an inevitable part of the gig economy, accepted by over 80% of Gen Z and millennials as a normal aspect of side hustling.

However, not all side jobs are equally exhausting. Rideshare and delivery services lead the pack with a 74% burnout rate, closely followed by tutoring, freelance projects, content creation, and online selling. Surprisingly, even seemingly less demanding tasks like caregiving and asset renting are associated with significant emotional weariness.

Despite these challenges, many side hustlers suffer in silence. About 36% keep their struggles to themselves, and others turn to social media as a coping mechanism. Only a handful are seeking professional help to deal with the stress.

On a brighter note, nearly half of the respondents credit AI tools like ChatGPT for easing some of the burdens of their side gigs. And even amid these pressures, a substantial 76% of Gen Z and millennials still endorse the pursuit of side hustles. In a world where the cost of living is rising and salaries are not keeping pace, enduring burnout doesn’t seem like a crisis, but rather just another part of the business landscape.