Man looking exhausted at his laptop

Picking up a side job can sound like an easy way to make more money. But some extra gigs take more out of you than they give back. Maybe you feel wiped out or cranky after working another shift. If so, your side job might be to blame. Here are seven side gigs that often leave people burned out.

Food Delivery Apps

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Picking up orders and dropping off meals seems simple enough, but long hours behind the wheel can take a toll. Traffic, tight deadlines, and fluctuating pay can quickly turn quick cash into frustration and fatigue. It’s easy to underestimate how stressful the constant driving and waiting can get over time.

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Rideshare Driving

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Rideshare apps promise flexibility, but late nights and random pickups leave many drivers exhausted. Dealing with rowdy passengers, tough parking spots, or city rush hours causes stress that adds up. Drivers often wind up working long stretches just to reach their financial goals, leaving little time to rest.

Online Tutoring

Teen working on online job
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Helping students one-on-one sounds rewarding, but back-to-back sessions chase by quickly. Keeping up with multiple lesson plans, different time zones, and demanding parents is tiring. The emotional load of teaching and supporting others can feel heavy if you’re trying to juggle too much at once.

Microtask Platforms

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Apps that offer quick tasks—like taking surveys, reviewing products, or tagging images—don’t require much skill, but the pay is low and the work is repetitive. Many people find themselves doing hundreds of small, tedious jobs in their “free” time and end up feeling burnt out for very little reward.

Freelance Design or Writing Gigs

Freelance writer working on her computer
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Working from home as a freelancer comes with its own pressures. Juggling lots of different clients, vague deadlines, and projects that keep growing makes it hard to find balance. Chasing payments or always hustling for the next job can turn creative work into a constant chore.

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

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Caring for pets is fun for any animal lover, but the early mornings, last-minute requests, or physically demanding days can wear you down. Being always “on call” means you rarely fully relax, even if you love the animals. Over time, the unpredictability can catch up with you.

Social Media Management

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Managing social pages for businesses, influencers, or brands means always being connected. Constant notifications, coping with online negativity, and having to “be creative” on demand can use up all the energy you would have spent elsewhere. The boundaries between work and rest blur fast here.

Looking Out for Your Time and Energy

Woman working on her side hustles at home with her laptop on her couch

Side hustles are supposed to make life easier, but some end up taking more than they give. If you notice your patience running thin or your free time shrinking, it could be time for a break or a new approach. Picking gigs that match your lifestyle—and knowing when to step back—helps you keep your energy, focus, and joy intact.

10 Lucrative Side Hustles That Will Pay You for Your Passions

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Have you ever thought about turning your hobbies into a moneymaker? With the recent popularity of side hustles, countless people are cashing in on their passions and talents without giving up their full-time jobs. There’s a whole world of opportunities out there waiting for you to discover them. Exploring side hustles can be the key to making extra income while doing what you love can be both rewarding and financially fulfilling. 10 Lucrative Side Hustles That Will Pay You for Your Passions