Side Hustling into Burnout

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword. It’s something side hustlers feel in their daily lives. Gig work is wearing people down, especially younger workers trying to balance it all.

Just over 3 in 5 side hustlers (67%) say their hustle causes burnout. Gen Z and millennials report the highest rates of side hustle burnout at 73% and 68%. Nearly 1 in 5 from both generations (19%) say their hustle actually burns them out more than their full-time job. Across all age groups, 18% of side hustlers say the same.

The tipping point comes fast. Most side hustlers put in about 15 hours a week, but burnout starts to creep in after just 8. Burnout is even more common among those juggling multiple gigs. People with 3 or more side hustles are 24% more likely than those with just one to feel burned out.

The emotional toll from working too much seeps into everyday life, as 41% say hustling has hurt their sleep, while about a third say it’s damaged their mental health (32%) and overall mood (31%). Even relationships take a hit, with 22% saying their hustle affects them negatively.

Not all gigs take the same emotional toll. Some types of side hustles are more likely to lead to burnout than others, especially those that demand long hours, constant interaction, or creative energy.

Gig work like Uber or Instacart ranks at the top, with 74% of workers reporting burnout. Coaching or tutoring follows closely at 73%, along with freelancing, short-form video content creation, and selling products online. Caregiving (67%) and renting out assets (63%) fall a bit lower on the list, but they’re still tough on the people doing them.

Burnout has become part of the culture. More than 4 in 5 Gen Z (84%) and millennials (83%) say it just comes with the territory of side hustling. For many, the payoff has to be big to feel worth it: 52% of side hustlers say the burnout only feels justified if they earn $500 or more per week.

Some are finding ways to ease the pressure. Almost 1 in 2 side hustlers (48%) say AI tools like ChatGPT have made their hustle less stressful.

Even when side hustlers hit a wall, many feel they can’t afford to slow down. Here’s how they manage stress, why they push through burnout, and what they’d do differently if money weren’t part of the equation.

Most side hustlers (70%) push through burnout because they feel they don’t have a choice, including 70% of Gen Z and 71% of millennials. But if money weren’t a factor, many would make a change. Nearly half (47%) would scale back their hours, and 29% say they’d quit their hustle altogether.

Despite how common burnout is, many don’t talk about it. About 36% of side hustlers say they don’t confide in anyone. Instead, some turn to social media as an outlet, with 36% of Gen Z and 29% of millennials saying they binge on it to cope. Very few seek professional help: just 8% of millennials and 5% of Gen Z use therapy for support.

Still, many stay committed. A majority of Gen Z and millennials (76% each) would recommend side hustling to a friend in 2025—proof that even with challenges, the rewards are worth it for many. With the right support and balance, side hustling can still be a powerful path to extra income, new skills, and greater freedom.

We surveyed 1,008 American side hustlers to uncover the emotional cost of the hustle economy. Respondents had an average age of 39, with a gender breakdown of 46% women, 52% men, and 2% non-binary. By generation, 6% were baby boomers, 21% Gen X, 51% millennials, and 22% Gen Z.

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