Job Loss: A New Life in a Side Hustle

  •   Sun, Nov 23 2025
  •   By S N Bhat, Saipangallu

November 23, 2025

A side hustle is any small activity, outside of our main employment, that is undertaken to earn a regular income. This side hustle acts as a strong financial fortress during times of crisis. Even if the entire income stops immediately after losing the main job, the small or moderate income from the side hustle helps cover at least the rent, EMIs, or daily essential expenses. This reduces the pressure on the Emergency Fund.

Furthermore, a side hustle brings not only financial benefits but also psychological ones. By working actively instead of sitting idle at home during unemployment, your self-confidence and productivity are maintained. If your side hustle sees significant growth, opportunities are available to convert it into a Full-time Business even after the crisis ends.

A second skill is an additional skill, related or unrelated to our main job, that is currently in demand in the market. In a situation like job loss, this skill opens doors to new employment opportunities. For example, if we know professional-level data analysis, digital marketing, or video editing, our Resume gains more value when searching for a new job. This makes us stand out from other candidates. The major benefit of this skill is that when opportunities shrink in your main professional field, you can immediately transition to a new industry or segment based on this second skill. Over time, your second skill can easily transform into a side hustle, thereby diversifying your income sources and making your financial future more stable. 

Today, the layoff announcements by multinational companies are a dark reality of the corporate world. Due to reasons like economic recession, adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, and reorganization, millions of professionals are suddenly losing their sole source of income. For those who rely on their monthly salary to pay EMIs, job loss brings a psychological shock along with a financial tsunami. This difficult time highlights how dangerous it is to rely on only one profession or one source of income. To face this challenge and prepare for future uncertainties, it is essential for each of us to develop alternative paths like a Second Skill, Side Hustle, Hobby, and Sub-farming.

Immediately after a job loss, the first sorrow that grips the mind is the lack of financial security. During this time, any secondary skill we have learned outside of office work acts as a life-saving tool. For example, no matter how major your main profession is, if you know any useful skill like website design, translation, data analysis, or social media management, you can immediately convert it into Freelancing or a side hustle. Even if the income from this side hustle is not equal to the main income, it provides the strength to manage unavoidable expenses, pay loan installments, and assist in emergencies. In this way, a side hustle works like a financial net; when one career path closes, another way is open. This financial independence has a positive effect on the mind, instilling the confidence that 'I am not completely unemployed.'

Besides earning money, these alternatives are crucial for mental health. Constantly sitting at home and searching for a job increases boredom and frustration. Engaging actively in hobbies during this time revitalizes the mind. A hobby acts as a Stress Buster. Whether it is practicing music, painting, cooking, or writing, these keep you away from negative thoughts. When these hobbies achieve perfection over time, they also have the potential to easily transform into a small business or a side hustle. Such constructive activities help preserve our productivity and maintain the positive attitude required when applying for a new job.

In our Indian context, sub-farming or small-scale gardening holds a special place. Growing plants, fruits, and vegetables in a small space or on a balcony gives a unique joy. These activities not only provide mental peace but also directly help the family budget by reducing the daily food expenditure. Contact with the soil creates a feeling of calm and contentment, reducing the anxiety of job loss. Furthermore, being physically active during this time is essential for maintaining health.

Finally, we must accept the lesson of this uncertainty positively. This is only a temporary obstacle, and it is also an opportunity to build a new career. Instead of wasting the time gained after a layoff, you can use it for Reskilling or Upskilling related to your main profession. Strengthen your resume by taking online courses to learn new tools and technologies that are in high demand in the market. The mantra for success in today's world is to create multiple income streams through second skills and side hustles, rather than relying on a single source of income. This comprehensive approach mitigates the risk of job loss and brings greater stability and security to life.

 

 
By S N Bhat, Saipangallu
S N Bhat, Saipangallu, is a retired headmaster of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kasargod.
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