I've always hated the term 'side hustle'. ;) In my twenties and early thirties, I LOVED working 6-12, when I felt like it, which was most of the time TBH. Before I had kids, I worked during the day as a web designer, I came home and worked on freelance web/design projects.

I was hungry for the craft, hungry to be better, learn more, and know all I could about being better at what I did for a living. I took on projects that I thought I could somehow add something to or learn from. It rarely felt like work, and each year I was earning about half the salary I was earning at my day job. So it was like salary and a half, just doing stuff I loved.

I didn't really learn about investing until later in life, but I did save well and bought myself freedom. "Retired" at 38, built a new company with my partner in my 'free time' and haven't been an employee since 2013.

I feel like I get and understand your post. And totally agree.