Chapter 1: The Rise of Side Hustles

In today's gig economy, side hustles are gaining immense popularity, and I'm certainly not oblivious to this trend, despite what my students, children, friends, and family might think. Even teenagers are buzzing about "online business," which leaves me wondering if they're tuning me out in class because they feel they already know it all!

I wholeheartedly support the idea of acquiring new skills; perhaps I'll uncover a hidden passion or at least gain a better understanding of what everyone is discussing. Thus, during June and July 2023, I decided to delve into some of these opportunities. Though I’m still in the early phases, I’m eager to share my insights thus far.

The first video titled "MAJOR Channel Updates!" provides an overview of the changes and direction for our new YouTube channel. My friend Ubax and I, both educators, thought it would be enjoyable to share our experiences and knowledge through this platform. We decided to call our channel “Sidetracked Duo” and recorded a couple of introductory videos, including a reaction to a K-Pop song—something completely new for me!

Findings:

• I appear stiff (my daughter claims I look fake).
• I struggle to keep my arms still!
• My laughter is reportedly terrifying.
• I battle with "imposter syndrome."

I confided in Ubax about my fears of being trolled or worse, receiving backlash from students. I even joked that perhaps I could catch a few eggs during our class! Ultimately, we recognized that putting our faces on camera felt risky, and although we considered going faceless with emojis or virtual characters, that seemed too complicated for our current skills.

For now, we've put our YouTube plans on pause as we work on building our confidence with audio recordings. We want to eliminate the pressure of needing to look presentable on-screen. If we eventually decide to show ourselves, I envision taking a stroll around East London in search of delicious food—a perfect blend of exercise (which I dread) and eating (which I love).

Chapter 2: Launching the Podcast

Given the success of our YouTube channel, starting a podcast felt like the logical next step. It allows us to create content on a variety of topics while offering our unique perspectives. Currently, we're producing audio episodes, and who knows, we may transition to video in the future.

The second video, "I quit my $51,000 a year career for THIS side hustle! (My Incredible Journey)," delves into the transformative journey of leaving a stable job for a side hustle, providing encouragement and insight for others considering a similar path.

So far, we've released five episodes and welcome discussions on any topic. Please feel free to share your suggestions in the comments! I've identified areas for improvement, such as pacing my speech and reducing my frequent use of "uhm," which leads to hours of editing—my enthusiasm sometimes overtakes my clarity.

Recording has been a challenge, with awkward moments of hearing my voice, background noise, and interruptions from teenagers. We faced a minor crisis when trying to upload Episode 4, only to realize we had logged in with Google instead of our email. The confusion was perplexing!

After publishing an episode, I feel a great sense of achievement, but juggling this alongside full-time work presents its own hurdles. Spending 4 to 5 hours to finalize one episode each week is no small feat. We're documenting our processes to make things smoother moving forward. Thus far, we have nearly 100 plays and 10 followers—it's a labor of love, and we understand that growth takes time.

Chapter 3: Blogging for Connection

I grapple with insecurities regarding my wide feet, short stature (just under 5'1"), and body image—issues that many might relate to. Additionally, my life experiences have been challenging, and I felt compelled to write about them as a means of processing. My writing could resonate with others and foster connections within the Medium community.

My inaugural blog focused on my struggle to find stylish shoes that accommodate my wide feet, and I was thrilled to receive encouraging feedback. Another post, where I vented about my unhelpful kids, received a boost on Medium and resonated with many readers.

I was ecstatic to discover that countless individuals related to my experiences. One of my blogs has garnered over 900 views! I also received another boost for my tenth post, which was particularly challenging to write—expressing grief is never easy.

My audience is slowly expanding, and I now have over 200 followers! I genuinely appreciate the support from each one of you.

Chapter 4: TikTok Trials and Triumphs

The rise of TikTok has introduced a new wave of short, engaging videos, especially popular among the younger generation. I recently confiscated a phone from a student attempting to film a TikTok in class. How difficult could it be?

After posting my first TikTok (with plenty of help), I was shocked to find that my three-year-old niece couldn't even stay engaged with my 20-second video. It was a simple demonstration: pouring from a larger bottle into a reusable container to promote sustainability.

After consulting with young people, I learned that unboxing, skincare, tech, fashion, and gaming are the most popular content types on TikTok. I even had my daughter unbox a pair of trainers for me, but I doubt I’ll ever venture into beauty or fashion promotions.

Currently, I have 25 followers, while my sister has amassed over 4,000 in just a year! I’m beginning to think I might reach retirement age before I catch up to her.

The initial excitement has faded, and I commend those who continue to persevere and succeed on this platform. For now, my focus will remain on blogging and podcasting, as I've seen more promising results in those areas. I love interacting with my readers and listeners and encourage their comments and feedback. Building a sense of community is essential to me.

To boost my visibility, I've been promoting my content on Facebook and Instagram, and I've been advised to create trailers for my podcast. This would involve recording videos, which we are currently considering.

To foster growth, I recognize the importance of learning about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to enhance visibility and attract more viewers. For now, I’m concentrating on consistency with my blogs and podcasts—this is crucial for audience engagement.

I'm filled with excitement and optimism about the future of my side hustle journey. For more uplifting content, follow Fourth Wave. If you have a story, essay, or poem focusing on women or other marginalized groups, consider submitting to the Wave!