What is a side hustle, you might ask? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term – which has been around since the 1950s but has gained a lot of popularity recently – means “work performed for income supplementary to one’s primary job”. In short, a “side hustle” is used in reference to everything and anything a broke girl may do to round up her monthly budget by at least a bit each month, no matter if it’s making money online by selling stuff or writing reviews or walking dogs, sitting babies, cats, and houses, or running errands for a commission.

And this year might just become the year of the side hustle thanks to the increasing willingness of people to do small side jobs aside from their day jobs and increase not only their income but their quality of life, too. Because most of the times, side hustles are closer to hobbies than to proper “jobs” – they are things we are passionate about. Just look at how many people crochet, cross stitch, paint, draw, and craft, selling the result of their talent on Etsy and other similar outlets. Most of them have day jobs, the classic “9 to 5”, and do their “side hustle” in their spare time. And most of their buyers appreciate the fact that they sell handcrafted creations and are willing to pay extra for their handiwork as opposed to the soulless creations of the industry.

And “side hustle” is not the only thing growing exponentially nowadays. Side jobs are turning into “day jobs” for many – an ever-increasing number of people of all ages leave behind their corporate masters and start their own business that often grows from their passion rather than from their need to earn money. This phenomenon is often called “gig economy”, and is increasingly embraced by companies, too, that see it as a means of reducing their expenses – and it works.

And becoming an entrepreneur is easier today than ever. The internet is filled not only with mentors and educators who have already learned their lessons and are eager to share their experience with others (as a side hustle or a full-time job, of course) but with startups and service providers ready to serve entrepreneurs with all the tools they might need to manage and run their business, tools that are accessible and easy to use. Besides, there are many people out there who have already embraced the “side hustle” as a way of life, ready to help out their peers with a piece of advice.

A side hustle is out there, waiting for you to embrace it – and in return, it might just change your life for the better. Keep an eye out for it – it may be right around the corner.