Choosing and getting started
Developing side project support based on your needs and preferences
Most people are not blocked by a lack of side project ideas.
At least, that is my current hypothesis. Based on recent feedback, and my own project experience, the more common blockers often appear once you move closer to action:
Making space.
Choosing the right project.
Right-sizing the idea.
Getting started in a realistic way.
Continuing long enough to learn something useful.
I have now brought the broader set of side project pain points together in a separate Side project pain points index. This post is narrower, and started with one underlying question:
How do you choose a side project that makes sense for your life right now, and how do you get started in a way that is realistic enough to continue?
This publication is my number one side project this year, in terms of time and effort. This week marks five months since I started writing on Substack, and building this publication has already taught me a lot.
I also believe writing is a never-ending learning experience. Learning from others is an important part of that.
That is why I am interested in how you prefer to learn and start new things.
Regarding this particular topic, getting started with your next side project, I am curious about what would be most helpful when dealing with two important first steps:
Choosing the right side project for you, right now.
Starting that side project, and moving from “one day” to the actions that make this Day 1.
I have received some feedback on this already and would love to hear from you too.
A quick vote below means I can better tailor my efforts to suit your needs.
Please pick the option that feels most useful to you.
Additional feedback in the comments is very welcome too.
Many thanks in advance.
— Cecilia 🪁
Hi, I’m Cecilia, and The Bright Side Projects is my publication about meaningful side projects worth your time and effort.
I believe everyone should have a side project.
Some projects support your wellbeing. Some strengthen relationships. Some help you develop skills. Some create financial resilience. Others simply make life more fun and/or interesting.
I care deeply about building a lifestyle that is sustainable for both mental and physical health. I am also raising three children and some of my favourite side projects are the ones we can explore together.
If you are new here, or a returning subscriber who wants to read more of my work, I recommend starting here.
What strikes me most is that all five pain points really boil down to one thing: the gap between the project you imagine and the project you can actually start today. Shrinking that gap, rather than waiting until conditions are perfect, seems to be the real skill. Voted for the practical toolkit since I think having something to return to at your own pace fits the "limited time" reality most people are in.