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It can be difficult to manage a full-time career alongside a chronic illness, but a side hustle might just be a great complement to your life.

There are numerous options, but have you ever wondered what makes some of the best side hustles for those that have a chronic illness?

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging in itself, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a side hustle or a passion project, for that matter. In fact, a side hustle can be a great way to supplement your income, stay productive, and feel a sense of accomplishment.

In this article, I’m going to tell you all about the 10 best side hustles for chronic illness warriors, plus I’ll give you 5 tips to help you get started with your next project, regardless of what you choose to pursue.

Introduction

I started my first side hustle in 2017, roughly a decade after I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Meanwhile, I continued working in my full-time career. 

It was a lot to balance, but that first side hustle provided immense satisfaction in my life.

Today I get excited about helping others get their own side hustles started. I’ve seen people do amazing work in their own pursuits, and sometimes a side hustle can provide a more fulfilling life balance, especially if you struggle with a chronic illness.

The top 10 list below is a selection of side hustles I curated based on the following factors:

• Income potential
• Ease to start
• Flexibility 
• Time commitment (keeping in mind the toll a chronic illness can take)

Curious to know which projects made the list? Keep reading on!

10 Best Side Hustles for Chronic Illness Warriors

It can be a struggle to balance a regular 9-5 with a chronic illness, so if you find yourself struggling to find a healthy balance, then a side hustle may be a better fit for you.

You may also decide to start a side hustle alongside your full-time career, perhaps even with the intention of transitioning to your side gig full-time (that’s what I did!). 

In any case, you’ll want to pick something that’s going to fit your personal needs, lifestyle, skills, and interests.

If you’re looking for one of the best side hustles that are compatible with a chronic illness, here are 10 great options for you to consider (in no particular order):

1. Blogging. 

Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts and experiences with others, and it can also be a lucrative side hustle. You can make money from blogging through advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products.

One note of caution, however. It can take a considerable amount of time and effort to build a blog before you earn an income. The upward potential is virtually limitless though!

2. Freelancing. 

If you have skills in writing, editing, and design, among other areas of demand for businesses, you can freelance on a variety of platforms. This is a great way to set your own hours and work from home.

If you choose to freelance graphic design, you may create logos, website designs, flyers, and other marketing materials.

With copywriting, you may write articles, landing pages, or emails.

These are just a few freelance options, but many are available. You likely have great skills you can put to use, so consider doing some research on freelance websites to determine which options are a good fit for you!

3. Virtual assistant. 

Virtual assistants provide administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from remote locations. This is a great side hustle for people with administrative or customer service experience.

4. Online teaching. 

If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can teach online courses through platforms like Udemy or Teachable. This is a great way to share your knowledge with others and make some extra money.

5. Social media marketing. 

If you’re good with social media, you can use your skills to help businesses grow their following and reach new customers. This is a great side hustle for people who are passionate about social media and marketing.

6. Proofreading and editing. 

If you have a keen eye for detail, you can proofread and edit documents for businesses and individuals. This is a great side hustle for people who are detail-oriented and have strong grammar skills.

7. Data entry. 

Data entry is a simple but in-demand side hustle. If you’re good at typing and have keen attention to detail, you can find data entry work online or through local businesses.

8. Transcribing. 

Transcribing is another great side hustle for people who are good at typing and have good listening skills. You can transcribe audio or video recordings for businesses or individuals.

9. Virtual customer service. 

If you have customer service experience, you can work as a virtual customer service representative for a business. This is a great side hustle for people who are patient and have good communication skills.

10. Selling crafts or handmade goods. 

If you’re crafty, you can sell your creations online or at local markets. This is a great way to make money and share your passion with others.

These are just a few of the many side hustles that can supplement your income and provide balance with your chronic illness. 

When choosing a side hustle, it’s important to consider your skills, interests, and energy levels. You may also prefer to choose a side hustle that you can do from home or on your own time.

With a little planning and effort, you can start one of these best side hustles, or another that better fits your needs.

5 Tips for Success

Committed to starting a side hustle or passion project?

Here are a few tips for success to help you balance your new side hustle alongside the demands of a chronic illness:

1. Start small. 

Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with a small side hustle that you can manage with your energy levels.

2. Lead with passion and ability.

Consider which of these side hustles would be a better match for your skills and interests.

If you need some inspiration, I recommend taking an inventory of your strengths to start. The book Strengths Finder is a great tool to help you uncover your innate strengths, and it comes with a free personality quiz when you buy the book new!

3. Set realistic goals. 

Don’t expect to make a fortune overnight. Set realistic goals for yourself and be patient. There may be times that you want to give up, but keep at it and you’ll find success.

If you need a tool to help you keep track of the progress you’re making on your goals, I recommend using ClickUp. Their free tier provides immense support alone.

4. Take breaks and delegate where possible. 

Don’t push yourself too hard. If you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed, take a break.

And if you can, delegate tasks to others. This will free up your time so you can focus on your most important tasks.

5. Network with other chronic illness warriors. 

There are many online and offline communities where you can connect with other people who understand what you’re going through.

Remember, you are not alone, and there are many people who are willing to help you succeed.

Use these tips to build your next side hustle, and you’ll be well on your way to success.

Conclusion

While these are some of the best side hustles for chronic illness warriors, there are other options you may want to consider. If you’d like some other ideas, I encourage you to read the following posts:

The 5 Best Side Hustles to Start in 2023 (fireyourcareer.com)

15 Side Hustles That Make Money (fireyourcareer.com)

63 Passion Projects to FIRE Your Life (fireyourcareer.com)

With a little creativity and effort, you can find a side hustle that is right for you.

Additional Resources

• The National Organization on Disability
• The American Chronic Pain Association
• The Invisible Disabilities Association

Think starting one of these best side hustles for chronic illness warriors will let you FIRE Your Career? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Tools I recommend in this article:

Teachable (platform you can use to create and sell an online course)

Strengths Finder (book to help you uncover your innate strengths, includes a free personality quiz)

ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking and project management tool)