(What I’ve Learned, the Real Numbers, and Honest Advice)
Not long ago, I was double-tapping dreamy posts about “ditching the 9–5.” From the outside, creator life looks simple: make content, sell digital products, score brand collaborations, goodbye 9-5. The truth is more layered. Some people absolutely make it big doing these things. But many quietly pivot back to traditional jobs or keep content creation as a side hustle. This is my honest, data-backed take—no scare tactics, no fairy dust—so you can weigh the risks and rewards with clear eyes. There’s no one “right” path; there is a right path for you.
What “Working for Yourself” Really Means
A creator’s day is shaped by you (“you” meaning, if you are a content creator), and by the algorithm. You set the hours and choose your niche. But the line between “on” and “off” blurs fast. Posts can soar or sink with no warning, and the internet never sleeps. You will be married to your phone.
Daily realities: You’ll wear many hats: writer, videographer, editor, marketer, negotiator, legal, technical expert, bookkeeper. Work rarely ends by 5 p.m.; messages, comments, and ideas pop up 24/7. A few truly productive hours can power a day—but for many creators, it never feels like enough. Yes, sometimes you’re editing at midnight after soccer drop-off, laundry, and dinner clean-up. That “freedom” looks a lot like chaos when you’re also momming full-time.
Freedom with a catch: You own the creative decisions and career direction, and all the income goes directly to you, but you also own taxes, expenses, insurance, legal, sales, and strategy. Policy changes or platform shifts can upend reach overnight. Plus all the technical setup and maintenance.
Income: Feast, Famine, and Family Budgeting
It’s absolutely possible to replace a 9–5 income as a creator. Anything is possible, if you want it enough – I truly believe that! it’s just not typical to replace your income early on. Earnings vary widely and are often inconsistent, especially in the first years.
The hard numbers: – The average U.S. creator earns about $44,000 per year, but over 48% earn less than $15,000. – Only about 4% worldwide make over $100K annually. – To match a traditional $120K salary job, you’d need to make closer to $170K–$180K as a creator (because you’re covering self-employment tax, health insurance, and retirement savings, and PTO on your own). – Many creators stitch together revenue from sponsors, ads, products, services, affiliates, and memberships—none guaranteed. And if you are covering health insurance as a self-employed person for a family of four, that alone can cost $14,000 to $19,000 a year.
What You Don’t See on Reels
- No built-in safety net: If you get sick or stop posting, income stops temporarily until you can get back to it.
- Algorithm dependence: Policy shifts can tank reach.
- Visibility pressure: Staying “top of mind” can fuel burnout and anxiety.
- Public life, private cost: Trolls, privacy concerns, and comparison creep are real.
- Burnout is rampant: Around 79% of creators report burnout, rising to 83% among monetized creators—and many work 40–60 hours per week, (probably more if you count scrolling for trends), even without an official boss breathing down their neck.
- “Success Theater”: Some of what you see is “Success Theater”. Creators renting cars, Airbnbs, or even private jets for a single photo op while quietly juggling debt. Nobody’s posting about Target runs on a budget, but that’s reality for many.
- Many creators will say “I work 6 hours a week and make over six figures.”
- They’re Outliers — Not the Norm
- Only 4% of creators worldwide earn over $100K.
- Upfront grind: Many of those creators put in years of 50+ hour weeks to build the systems, audiences, and products that now “run themselves.” They’re showing you the highlight reel, not the backstory.
- Automation & outsourcing: They may outsource editing, customer service, marketing, etc. If they spend 4 hours “working,” their team might be spending 40.
Still: for the right person, ownership, creative freedom, and complete autonomy outweigh the chaos. I am really not trying to poop on the idea of being a creator, I just want people to be aware of some of the realities. There are also some pros and cons of a 9-5 type of job.
The Upsides (and Realities) of a 9–5
A traditional job can feel like a well-marked highway: steady, clear, sometimes a little dull—but solid.
What you reliably get: – Consistent income: Paychecks land on schedule; easier planning and saving. – Benefits that add up: Health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, paid time off, and retirement matching (often worth $16,000–$20,000 per year for a $70K salary). Employers also pick up half of your FICA taxes, saving you about $2,000 yearly. That’s real money. – Structure and growth: Defined hours, clearer career ladders, training, mentorship, and feedback. – Community: Built-in colleagues, social connection, and support. Even if half the chatter is about who stole your lunch from the fridge, at least you’re not alone at home.
Typical cost comparisons:
9–5 vs Content Creator (Both at $120K Gross Income)
| Category | 9–5 Employee ($120K) | Content Creator ($120K) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| Taxes | -$30,000 | -$36,000 |
| Health Insurance (family of 4) | -$2,000 | -$15,000 |
| Retirement Match | +$6,000 | $0 |
| Paid Time Off | +$5,000 | $0 |
| Business Expenses | $0 | -$10,000 |
| Net Take-Home | $99,000 | $59,000 |
Bottom line: Predictability isn’t always boring—it can bring peace of mind. Especially if you’re supporting kids, covering health insurance for your family, paying a mortgage, or trying to get everyone fed without living on boxed mac and cheese forever.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Why creator life attracts us: – Control your schedule and projects. – Creative expression without approvals. – The possibility of uncapped earning potential through multiple revenue streams. – Build a mission-driven community and brand.
What makes it hard: – Inconsistent income and long hours (especially early on). – Constant visibility demands; platforms change. – You’re the entire department: creation, marketing, sales, admin, legal, finance. – Burnout risk: many creators report significant fatigue.
Why a 9–5 can be easier: – Stability, benefits, and boundaries while you learn and experiment. – Employer-funded training and clearer promotion paths. – Social connection and teamwork baked in.
There’s no moral high ground here—just trade-offs. Choose the discomfort you can live with.
How to Choose the Path That Fits You
Before you leap—or decide to stay—run a real-life gut check.
1) Money math (no skipping!)
- Add up monthly essentials: housing, food, childcare, transportation, debt.
- Aim for 6–12 months of living expenses saved if you plan to go solo.
- Price out health insurance and set aside taxes/retirement.
- Start with a side hustle if savings are slim.
2) Family + support system
- Who relies on your income and benefits?
- Can a partner’s job carry health insurance short-term?
- Do you have emotional backup for slow months and late nights?
3) Risk tolerance
- How well do you sleep when income swings?
- Could you bounce back if a platform change slashes reach?
- Would you accept slower upside in exchange for stability?
4) Values + five-year view
- What’s non-negotiable (time with kids, flexibility, security, impact)?
- Do you want autonomy, advancement, or both?
- Which path better serves the life you’re building—not just the next quarter?
5) Skills & learning curve
- Current strengths: content, strategy, sales, ops?
- Gaps you’ll learn: editing, analytics, funnels, email, contracts, bookkeeping?
- Are you excited to learn business mechanics—or does that drain you?
6) Test first (the middle path counts!)
- Build nights/weekends for 3–6 months. Track income, time, and energy.
- Validate with offers: pre-sell a workshop, launch a mini-product, take on paid pilot clients.
- Set thresholds to “go full-time” (e.g., maintain 70–100% of your after-benefits salary for 4–6 months).
Smoms-Specific Notes (because our lives have layers)
- Caregiving is real labor. Flexibility matters, but so does dependable income. Hybrid paths can protect both.
- Healthcare = non-negotiable. If you go solo, price it first. If you stay, maximize HSA/FSA and matching.
- Energy is a finite resource. Choose a plan you can sustain while parenting.
- Community is strategy. Whether in an office or online, build your support squad on purpose.
The Bottom Line
Both paths are valid, messy, and meaningful. Creator life offers freedom and ownership; and 9–5 offers security and support. What matters is alignment—with your season of life, your money reality, and your values.
If you’re still figuring it out—me too. I’m a full-time working mom, with a blended family with three teenage children and one young adult, I have a successful 9-5 career, and I have a side hustle content creation passion project – but not my main source of income, its just something I enjoy, and gives me a creative outlet and a way to help women get back into the workforce should they choose to. I’m not preaching from a pedestal; I’m in the trenches with you.
👉 Follow me on Instagram @real_smoms for more tools, tips, and honest stories from someone juggling it all—career, caregiving, and content—without sugarcoating it.