Some really interesting points you’ve raised. I wrote it more from a UK perspective (since I’m based in the UK) where *most* 9–5 jobs are relatively stable i.e. they won’t just fire you unless you’ve made a major error. I didn’t realize the U.S. work culture was so different.

And yes, whilst it’s always good to look for multiple sources of income, you’ll only hear about the success stories where people have ditched their 9–5 and not the hundreds of people who have tried and failed. Sometimes, the self-employed actually go back to a 9–5 just to reduce the strain on their mental health. I guess it ultimately boils down to your resilience, appetite for risk and your own valuation of ‘stable’ wealth.

It is definitely worth pursuing other interests and using it to supplement your 9–5 but just to be wary that it doesn’t always work out.