Many people feel that passions need to take a back seat when you work full time, especially when you have other responsibilities like childcare. But your interests deserve care and attention. This article explores how to foster your passions while employed, giving you back the drive and motivation to succeed across all walks of life.

How to reconnect with your interests

What gives you energy outside work? What could you talk about endlessly? Consider what drives you beyond work and find routes to enhance those activities.

Change your mindset

Engaging in activities that interest us can feel indulgent. But keeping yourself active and excited to get on with the day is good for your psychological health. Let’s say you enjoy gardening. Give yourself time for it by looking for get-togethers, allotments, and places to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Having people around you can help reduce the feeling that you are doing this only for yourself.  

Some people might feel embarrassed to go back to their old interests. Maybe you never quite learned the guitar, but picking it up at 34 feels different to picking it up as a child. Learn to manage these inhibitions with a simple change of mindset: You’re playing to relax after a long day, not to become a concert musician.

Extra-curricular activities don’t have to be “side hustles”, popular as they may be with online influencers.

Find the time to foster your passions

If you’re struggling to find the time or keep putting off your passion projects, it’s time to start thinking about it the same way you do your work! Block off time on your calendar; even 30 minutes three days a week can add up. If you’re at work, those 30 minutes can go into reading a book about the subject you’re interested in or putting those plans to paper. If you’re at home, swap those 30 minutes on the couch watching TV for putting those plans into action.

Address how you’re prioritising work

Remember that work should have a cut-off point in the day. Try to avoid answering emails after hours unless it’s urgent. And aim to use your passion time as a chance to unwind and switch off.

People appreciate and value those who carve out time for themselves. Don’t feel that you need to explain yourself – if you are taking evening classes in photography, architecture or creative writing, don’t be afraid to tell your boss that this is why you may have been difficult to reach.

When you’re fulfilled outside of work, you have all the more motivation at the office.

Seek joy in the small things

You should carve out time for yourself, but not to a point where it’s starting to give you more stress. If your passion projects are just being added as a bullet point on your to-do list, you may have to rethink your mindset and whether you have chosen the right project to pursue.

Passion projects should always feel good, not like another job.

How to start a side hustle while employed

If you are thinking of taking the leap and making a little more money on the side, we recommend the following:

Know your work contract

Some contracts have policies in place restricting their employees from freelancing or working as a sole trader. Check your rights with an advisor if you’re unsure.

Be passionate about your side hustle

Choosing a side hustle just because you have been told it’s a good way to make money is unlikely to make you happy and will more probably make you feel burned out.

Vicky Etherington, Founder of The Website Mentor, writes that some passions can be found close to work! “If you’re considering coaching or consultancy, chances are you’ve already spent years mentoring others, managing teams, navigating complex challenges, and communicating with clarity and confidence. These are the very skills that make great coaches.”

Find a balance

While we love to see professionals living their lives to the fullest, don’t forget your full-time role should always take precedence during work hours.

Be kind to yourself

Recognise that you won’t have the energy or capability to work on your side hustle every day; you do have a full-time job, after all! Focus on the positives – what you have already achieved – and don’t be afraid to pare back if your passion project is starting to feel like too much hard work.  

Work through it step by step

Vicky Etherington recommends taking a structured step-by-step process towards starting a side hustle, writing:

• Define your niche: Who do you want to support? What do you bring to the table?
• Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your new direction (you don’t need to be “finished” to start)
• Offer a couple of free discovery sessions to trusted contacts or colleagues
• Build a basic website or landing page—keep it simple and clear
• Join professional communities or networking events to meet others in the space

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How do you keep up with your interests? Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, and let’s start a conversation.