Monetizing My Hobbies

a reflection, a poem, and a promise

You don’t have to monetize your every hobby; crochet that teddy bear and not have to sell it on Etsy; write a poem that you never show the world; record moments of your travel without making it a Youtube vlog.

And, in that nuance, recognize that in many ways, I’ve had to choose to do so in order to make enough to survive.

I spend every waking hour even the ones that are supposed to be relaxing, like creating art or writing, channelled into something monetizable.

Because a MSc-PhD is at least 6 years here, and despite inflation over this long duration, not once has the stipend increased.

And so I write poems, and I monetize them. I draw, and I monetize those too.

But one day I hope to create more space where I can have hobbies where I can create just for me.

One day.

Inviting Ashlea Morgan | Ellie Jacobson | K S Fielding | Noorain Hassan, BMS | Kay Bee | Marcus Chan | Candy Marie | Maryjo Bautista | Samedra Carter| Earl Grey Sea | if you’re up to it and anyone else interested to smash that writer’s block, join in on this tiny challenge and write a response, wherever it takes you! It can be a tiny poem, a shortform piece or an essay — whatever comes into that brain noodle!

Poetry Prompt: Do you monetize your hobbies?

Submit it to The Brain is a Noodle or be sure to tag me in your response if you publish elsewhere, so I can read it and share it with the world!

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Hi I’m Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) and I’m working towards that “some day”. PS, I PUBLISHED A BOOK 📚

^ by Shivangi Patel