Being an adult comes with costs, both figuratively and literally. As adults, we get the freedom to purchase what we want, but we also need to settle bills, buy groceries, and pay other dues like rent and insurance. For young adults today, the cost of living is a big concern that pushes them to find other alternatives so they can earn more money. One way the new generation copes with inflation is through polywork or polyworking.
How to define the practice of polyworking?
Polywork, also referred to as poly-employment, is the trend of having more than one job. It is most commonly observed in Zoomers and Millennials. Workers doing side hustles, part-time jobs, and freelance work simultaneously with other jobs fall into this category. With the availability of the Internet and remote jobs being offered nowadays, having more than one job has become the norm.
Securing a better future?
The main reason why people today are opting to have more than one job is simply for financial security. Some consider doing polywork since they’re more flexible with time or workload. Others have businesses that they manage while holding other work positions for different people or organizations. People also take this as an opportunity to look for personal or professional growth that they know they cannot find within their current career path.
Heads up: They've come up with a new buzzword to describe desperately working multiple jobs just to survive. pic.twitter.com/oDVnZKbGZA
— Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) December 3, 2021
One can argue that there’s always that choice to resign and do the side hustle full-time. However, having a side job one can fall on in case the main job is threatened is an allure to many. Similarly, in case things don’t pan out on other gigs, the main job is still secured and sufficient enough to provide one’s needs. In some cases, people choose to practice polyworking for their personal well-being and growth. While they are not really focused on the monetary value of what they do, they want to put their passion to work by doing what they love.
https://twitter.com/AutismCapital/status/1638275654235086848
Trying to do multiple things at the same time can take its toll on a person if not properly handled and managed. While polyworking might be able to open some avenues for people financially or career-wise, they should remember to take a breather every once in a while, as doing multiple jobs instantaneously can also lead to burnout. Resting from any kind of work or activity is a way to take care of our mental and physical health. Doing so will enable one to do and achieve more goals in the future.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Vitalik Radko.
Sources: Emma Charlton (World Economic Forum)
