"If you're Gen Z, you probably grew up on algorithms that whisper "monetize it" the moment anything feels fun. The importance of personal brands is constantly drilled into you, along with a side of LinkedIn wins, Etsy grinds, and side hustle culture. If you're good at something, you're told to sell it (or at least make it go viral). Google queries for "how to monetize content shot up 305% in the past month, while "how to build a personal brand " is up 67% year-on-year."
"That's why it's important to set boundaries when it comes to your hobby. Be deliberately unproductive with it. Journal just for the fun of it, bake without posting a picture, and paint things you don't show anyone. This reminds your brain, "Hey, not everything needs to be optimized." Fun stays fun, and every new interest doesn't morph into a second shift."
Algorithms and platform incentives push Gen Z toward monetization and personal-brand building, with searches for "how to monetize content" up 305% and "how to build a personal brand" up 67% year-on-year. Thirty-nine percent of Gen Z hold multiple jobs and 57% have cried at work, reflecting performance pressure. Burnout affects 52% of full-time workers, with stress rising among under-30s. Median side-hustle pay is about $200 monthly while many hustlers add 11–16 extra weekly hours, and burnout risk doubles after 45 total work hours. Keeping hobbies unmonetized preserves joy, reduces social-media posting pressure, and encourages boundaries that protect creativity and relationships.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]