How Failing at Side Hustles Led Me to Start a Blog

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I used to think the only way to survive was to keep dragging myself through a 9-to-5 job. I would wake up every morning, already dreading the commute, already counting down the hours before I could return home.

By the time I got back, I felt drained, almost like a ghost of myself…

But I had this stubborn thought in the back of my mind. There had to be another way. I wanted freedom, something beyond clocking in and out, beyond fluorescent lights and endless meetings.

I wanted a life where I could work quietly, in my own way, without forcing myself into an environment that never felt right.

So one evening after work, I opened my laptop and started searching. I didn’t know what I was looking for exactly. I just wanted something that could pay bills without crushing me in the process.

That single night kicked off a long and messy journey through failed side hustles, shortcuts gone wrong, and embarrassing mistakes.

For months, I thought I was just failing. But those failures were what eventually led me to start a blog, the one thing that finally made sense for me.

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The Restless Search for Something Different

The first time I typed ways to make money fast into a search bar, I was desperate…

I wasn’t looking for a big business idea or a five-year plan. I just wanted relief from the weight of a job that drained me daily.

The search results felt endless. Freelancing, surveys, affiliate marketing, dropshipping, and online tutoring. Each idea promised freedom in its own way, and I couldn’t help but get pulled into the excitement.

But excitement doesn’t always equal sustainability. I was about to find that out the hard way.

My Messy Introduction to Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing sounded almost too good to be true.

Promote products, earn money when someone buys. How hard could that be? Without much thought, I dove in headfirst.

I signed up for every program I could find. Health supplements, gadgets, random courses, and even apps that I never used myself.

My strategy, if you could call it that, was simple. Get as many eyes on my links as possible. I plastered them across Facebook groups, Twitter threads, forums, and anywhere I could think of.

At first, it felt thrilling. I was staying up late, telling myself I was finally building something. I felt like I was part of this hidden online economy that outsiders didn’t understand.

But then the warnings started. Accounts got flagged. Groups banned me. Social media platforms suspended me one after another.

My so-called strategy turned out to be nothing more than spam… sigh! It was humiliating. I wasn’t just failing quietly. I was failing publicly.

And every suspension chipped away at my confidence. I wondered if I had made a huge mistake chasing these online dreams.

Sitting in Failure

I remember one evening sitting in front of my laptop, staring at yet another “account suspended” notice.

It felt like a punch in the stomach. My chest was tight and I could barely swallow…

For days, I carried this heavy mix of shame and frustration. I kept replaying my mistakes, wishing I could rewind and do things differently. I had wanted freedom, but instead I had trapped myself in a cycle of failure.

Yet even in that low place, a part of me refused to give up. Maybe it was stubbornness, maybe it was hope, but I couldn’t shake the belief that there was still a path for me online. I just hadn’t found it yet.

Why Shortcuts Rarely Work in Making Money Online

Shortcuts are tempting. Who doesn’t want the results without the grind?

I thought I had found one when I discovered affiliate programs. Post a link, earn cash, simple as that. Except it wasn’t.

The truth is, shortcuts online often end up being the long road in disguise. My spamming spree might have felt like progress at the time, but in reality, it only burned bridges and delayed me from learning how to build something real.

Every account suspension was basically the internet’s way of telling me, “Slow down, you’re doing this wrong.”

If you’re tempted by a shortcut, pause for a second. Ask yourself if it would work in the offline world.

Would you walk into a coffee shop, shove flyers in people’s faces, and expect them to buy something? Probably not. Online isn’t any different.

The Unexpected Blessing in Disguise

Looking back, those bans were a gift. If I hadn’t been forced to stop, I would have kept wasting energy spamming links and burning bridges.

But at the time, it didn’t feel like a gift. It felt like defeat.

Still, I started asking myself questions I hadn’t asked before. Why had I failed? What did people actually need? Why would they ever click my links if I wasn’t giving them anything in return?

That was the shift. Instead of chasing money, I began thinking about value. And that’s when I stumbled across blogging.

Lessons I Learned from Failed Side Hustles

If there’s one thing failure is good at, it’s holding up a mirror.

Each side hustle I tried came with its own little sting of reality. Affiliate marketing taught me that throwing links at strangers isn’t a business model.

Chasing ways to make money fast reminded me that desperation rarely leads to smart decisions.

The biggest lesson, though, was this: effort doesn’t always equal results if your energy is pointed in the wrong direction. I wasn’t failing because I was lazy.

I was failing because I hadn’t yet figured out how to connect with people in a way that built trust.

If I could go back, I’d slow down. I’d ask myself, “Would I click on this link? Would I buy from me?” It’s embarrassing how often the answer would’ve been no.

But sometimes you need those cringe-worthy moments to understand what not to do.

A Quieter Path With Blogging

At first, blogging didn’t sound like the solution to my problems. It felt slow compared to the instant commissions I thought affiliate marketing promised. But the more I read about it, the more it made sense.

Blogging wasn’t about spamming strangers. It was about creating something lasting, a space where I could write, share, and actually connect with people.

I started small. A few posts after work, written in the quiet of my room. I didn’t have a grand plan. Honestly, it felt more like therapy than business. For once, I wasn’t just chasing clicks. I was expressing myself.

That shift changed everything. Blogging gave me something those failed hustles never could. A sense of control and creativity. It wasn’t about being pushy or loud. It was about writing, something that came naturally to me as an introvert.

The Slow Climb Toward Something Real

No one read my posts at first. I would hit publish, refresh the page a dozen times, and see zero views. But I kept going. Writing felt good, even when no one was listening.

Eventually, people started finding my blog. First a handful, then a trickle. I still remember my first comment from a stranger. It was just a few words of thanks, but it made my entire week.

Then came the moment that changed everything. One morning, I checked my email and saw my first affiliate commission from the blog. It wasn’t much, but it was real money. Money I earned by sharing something valuable, not spamming links.

That was the turning point. Over time, those small wins grew. My blog paid my internet bill. Then my rent. Then one month, it nearly covered all my expenses.

What Blogging Gave Me That Other Hustles Didn’t

Blogging wasn’t just about income. It gave me a way to express myself without having to perform in front of others and became a long-term project I could build quietly, at my own pace.

I also found it was a chance to turn failures into lessons and those lessons into content, all on a path to financial independence that actually felt ethical.

As I got deeper into it, I also realized how flexible blogging could be. It connected naturally with other opportunities.

Some bloggers transition into creating courses. Others use their platforms to land “how to make money as a freelance writer” gigs. Some branch into reviewing the best passive income apps or sharing lists of the best work-from-home jobs.

For me, blogging became the anchor. It was the home base from which I could explore all those other possibilities.

Why Blogging Works So Well for Introverts

One of the unexpected gifts of blogging is how naturally it fits with an introverted personality. Unlike jobs that require endless calls, meetings, or networking, blogging allows you to build something quietly, in your own space, without constant distractions.

I realized I didn’t have to “perform” or pretend to be someone louder than I really was.

I could just write. Writing gave me room to think deeply, shape ideas, and share them at my own pace. For an introvert, that’s gold.

There are other online jobs out there, like freelancing, teaching, or even reviewing passive income apps. But honestly, a lot of them still required more people time than I had the energy for.

Blogging was different. It gave me a place to express myself without that pressure.

It became my way to connect with people on my own terms, without feeling completely drained afterward.

The Lessons I Carried Forward

Looking back now, I see my early failures differently. Those spammy affiliate attempts taught me what not to do.

They taught me that shortcuts rarely last. They taught me that building something meaningful takes time, but time is worth it.

Most of all, they taught me that failure isn’t the end. It’s just part of the path.

Blogging worked for me because it matched who I am. As an introvert, I didn’t want to be on camera all day or pitch strangers nonstop.

I wanted something quieter, steadier, more creative. Blogging gave me that.

If You’re on a Similar Path

If you’re reading this and feeling stuck in your own cycle of failed side hustles, I want you to know it doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for making money online. It just means you haven’t found the right fit yet.

For some people, freelancing works wonders. Learning how to make money as a freelance writer can open doors to steady projects and clients who value your skills. For others, testing out the best passive income apps might be a fun way to add extra income streams. Some might find joy in trying out the best work-from-home jobs that give flexibility and freedom.

But if you’re like me, someone who thrives in quiet, who wants to build something long-term, who needs work that fits an introverted personality, blogging could be your answer.

It’s not the fastest route. It won’t make you rich overnight. But if you stick with it, it can transform your life in ways quick fixes never could.

Why Starting a Blog Is Still Worth It Today

It’s easy to assume blogging is outdated. With TikTok, YouTube, and whatever new platform is trending, you might wonder if anyone even reads blogs anymore. I get it.

But blogging isn’t going anywhere.

People still search Google every day for answers, stories, and guidance. And every single search is a chance for your words to show up.

Starting a blog today might feel like showing up late to the party, but the truth is, the internet always has room for fresh voices.

You don’t have to be the loudest to make an impact. What makes blogging powerful is being consistent, relatable, and genuine. If you’re willing to put in the work, a blog can open so many doors.

We’re talking real income, legit work-from-home jobs, and even a path to becoming a freelance writer.

So yes, it’s still worth it. Maybe more than ever. Because while trends fade, good writing and honest connection never go out of style.

Where My Path Led Me

Today, my blog isn’t just a side hustle. It’s a part of my identity. It pays bills, yes, but it also gives me purpose.

It’s where I share lessons from my mistakes, where I connect with people who feel like I once did, drained, restless, looking for a way out.

If I had quit after my first bans and failures, I never would have found this. That’s why I share my story.

Not to paint myself as some guru, but to show you that the messy, embarrassing failures might just be pointing you toward something better.

And if you’re curious about starting a blog but feel overwhelmed by the thought of doing it the right way, I put together a free 7-day email course.

It walks you through everything I wish I had known before I made all those mistakes. You can grab it on my blog, and maybe it will be the spark that changes your story, too.

Because sometimes the failures we hate the most are the very things that push us toward the life we’ve been searching for all along.

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