Why Side Hustles Fail for Neurodivergent People
Side hustles are often promoted as flexible and low-risk, but for many neurodivergent people they fail due to hidden cognitive and emotional demands.
The Hidden Load
Side hustles require self-initiation, irregular schedules, context switching, and unpaid planning work. These demands stack quickly.
Boundary Erosion
Without external limits, side hustles blur work and rest, increasing burnout risk.
Structural Mismatch
Failure is often framed as inconsistency rather than a mismatch between the model and neurodivergent needs.
Summary
Side hustles often fail not due to effort, but due to structural incompatibility with neurodivergent cognitive constraints.