I had the same thing. My side-projects would end up making me anxious, and I'd resent them -- whether they were code or volunteering or what. But then I just ki

I had the same thing. My side-projects would end up making me anxious, and I'd resent them -- whether they were code or volunteering or what. But then I just kinda left my job -- my ordinary life -- downscaled to the point that I didn't need my apartment, and started living in a hammock tent in my city's equivalent of Central Park during the summer. My side-projects (or at least my appetite for them) are right-sized, it was my distraction of a job that needed downsizing, and I had the privilege and luck to do that. Now I'm figuring out that my side-project has given me skills and experience that essentially no one else has, because I've spent 3-4 years focussed intensely on something that capital mostly says shouldn't have been getting any attention (it mostly doesn't). I think I can wrangle that into an ordinary-ish life again, but we'll see... Anyhow, just wanted to provide a counterpoint to "side-projects are making me miserable" when there's likely a hidden 3rd factor: the other thing you need to work/do to subsidize the life you currently fit into. Best of luck! I'm excited for your side-projects <3 (or rather, whatever it is that makes you happy, but I hope you don't stop experimenting with what that might be!)