On the surface, this seems like an ideal way to achieve financial freedom or personal fulfilment. However, there can be a negative aspect to this side hustle culture. Office experts, Instant Offices, have explored why polyworking may be doing more harm than good and how it can lead to an increased risk of burnout.
How side hustles can do more harm than good
1. The productivity trap
Polyworking thrives on the ethos of hustle culture, where success is often equated with constant productivity. For many, balancing multiple roles feels like the only way to get ahead in an increasingly competitive job market. However, the pressure to consistently perform at a high level across multiple jobs can lead to chronic overwork and fatigue.
Instead of finding balance, many polyworkers become consumed by the demands of their various roles. The result? A diminished capacity to perform well in any single job, increased stress, and eventually, burnout.
2. Burnout and health risks
One of the most significant downsides of having multiple side hustles is the heightened risk of burnout. Balancing several roles blurs the boundaries between work and personal life, making it difficult to recharge. Chronic stress and long hours can lead to mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical health issues like insomnia and fatigue.
Burnout doesn’t just impact work—it can also spill over into personal life, making it harder to maintain relationships, hobbies, and self-care routines.
When working multiple jobs, often the first thing to go is work-life balance. If most of your down time is spent working a different job, you’ll begin to see the effects of being overworked and not prioritising time for yourself. You’ll begin to struggle to book in annual leave.
Helen Godliman, head of HR operations at The Instant Group comments: “Annual leave is essential for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being. A well-rested individual, who has the freedom to step away and recharge, returns more focused, creative, and engaged.”
“Taking time off isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. We understand the value of annual leave in preventing burnout and promoting sustained performance. A balanced approach to work and rest is key to long-term success.”
3. A strain on personal relationships
Polyworking often demands significant personal time, leaving little room for family, friends, or leisure. Over time, this imbalance can weaken social bonds and lead to feelings of isolation. What begins as an effort to improve one’s life can inadvertently erode its quality.
We need to rethink polyworking
While polyworking offers flexibility and opportunities for growth, it’s essential to approach it with caution. Setting clear boundaries, prioritising rest, and evaluating whether the benefits outweigh the costs are key to avoiding its pitfalls. The allure of supplementary income and passion projects must be balanced against the potential for overwork, financial instability, and burnout.
More About Instant Offices:
Instant Offices is the world’s largest office advisory service dedicated to finding the ideal flexible workspace for our clients – wherever their business is going.
We cover the global serviced office market, and our talented people are market specialists, enabling them to offer free, impartial advice to help find your dream workspace and negotiate the best deal for your business.
