Key Takeaways

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Why Do I Feel Like I’m Wasting My Talents Now That the Kids Are Gone?

Ever just stare at your kitchen table covered in half-finished crafts and wonder, “What am I even doing with this stuff?” Or maybe you spend hours tending to your garden, writing recipes, editing photos… but it all just sits there. Quiet. Unseen.
That’s the weird part of the empty nest stage. You suddenly have time, but no one to do the thing for. No kid project. No bake sale. No event to prepare for.

And yet… that thing you do—that’s actually valuable.

There are thousands of hobbies for empty nest moms that are being quietly monetized online right now. Moms like you, who don’t have MBAs or marketing degrees, are making income online just doing what they already love.

So, what do they know that you don’t? That’s what this article is here to show you.

What If I Don’t Even Know What I’m Good At Anymore?

You’re not alone. That weird identity vacuum after the last kid leaves? Yeah, it’s real.

You used to be the go-to soccer snack mom, the last-minute costume queen, the spreadsheet wizard. But now that role’s…gone.

So how do you even figure out what your “thing” is now?

Start Here:

  • What did you love doing before kids?
  • What do your friends ask you for help with?
  • What could you spend a few hours doing without checking the clock?

Here’s a quick breakdown of hobby categories that often lead to online income:

CategoryCommon Passions That Monetize Online
Arts & CraftsKnitting, jewelry-making, digital art
Food & KitchenBaking, meal planning, food styling
Wellness & FitnessYoga, walking groups, journaling
Writing & TeachingTutoring, blogging, course creation
OrganizationSpreadsheets, life coaching, decluttering

Still stuck? Go weirdly specific. The narrower, the better. “Air fryer meals for two” sells better than “cooking.”

Can I Really Make Money from Stuff I Make at Home?

Short answer: Yes. But here’s what trips most people up.

They think:

“Why would someone pay me when they could buy it from a store?”

Because stores don’t sell you. They don’t sell the story, the handcrafted detail, or the feeling of buying from a real person.

Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, Creative Market, and Amazon Handmade make it possible for your crafts, designs, or templates to show up in front of people who are searching right now.

What You Can Sell:

  • Jewelry made with meaningful symbols (e.g. birthstone gifts)
  • Watercolor prints with original quotes
  • Embroidery kits with video tutorials
  • Printable planners for moms, teachers, or caregivers
  • Digital recipe cards or cookbooks for specific diets
  • Knitted accessories or holiday decorations

The goal isn’t to make 100 items and hope they sell. The goal is to test what gets attention, then focus on that one thing and repeat.

Isn’t Teaching Online for Tech People or Influencers?

Nope. And actually, some of the most successful online teachers aren’t influencers. They’re regular people with a system, tip, or method that works.

Teaching online is one of the most powerful ways to make your experience pay you back.

If you’ve ever said something like:

“People always ask me how I make this.”
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years.”
“I should teach a class on this.”

You probably should teach a class.

Beginner-Friendly Course Platforms:

PlatformGood ForCost
TeachableCreating step-by-step lessonsFree & Paid
SkillshareClasses with a creative angleFree to start
UdemyMassive built-in audienceFree to list
ThinkificFull control of student experienceFree & Paid

You don’t need fancy cameras. Use your phone. Keep videos short. Write down what you’d explain to a friend. That’s your curriculum.

Isn’t Blogging or YouTube Way Too Crowded Now?

Sure, there’s a lot of people doing it. But not you. Not your voice. Not your angle.

There are over 4.5 billion internet users. That’s a lot of people. You don’t need all of them. You just need a few hundred who like your way of saying things.

Blogging and YouTube still work—especially for content that helps people solve a small but annoying problem.

Examples?

  • “How to plant vegetables in pots if you don’t have a yard”
  • “Easy, cheap meals for two people who don’t want leftovers”
  • “How to fix saggy couch cushions without buying a new couch”

If you can help solve tiny frustrations, people will read, watch, and share.

And yes—you can make money through:

  • Ads (once you get traffic)
  • Affiliate links (recommending stuff you love)
  • Sponsorships (companies pay you to feature them)

It takes time. But it builds.

Start with one post. One video. One story. That’s enough.

What About Freelancing or Offering Services?

What if you don’t want to be “on” all the time? No content, no followers, no public brand. You just wanna work quietly and get paid? Freelancing is perfect.

Hobbies for Empty Nest Moms

Plenty of moms have skills businesses need:

  • Writing/editing
  • Graphic design
  • Admin work
  • Email management
  • Scheduling
  • Pinterest management

Even if you’ve only used these skills as a mom—guess what? That still counts.

Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com and even Facebook groups are where people hire real humans to do real jobs.

You don’t need to offer everything. Just one thing that you’re good at. Polish a basic portfolio (Canva makes this easy), and you’re good to go.

What’s the Deal with Digital Products? Do People Actually Buy Those?

Yes. Because digital products solve problems instantly.

Busy people don’t want to wait 3 days for something to arrive. They want it now. That’s where you come in.

You create it once. It sells forever.

Examples of Digital Products:

  • Printable chore charts
  • Journaling prompts
  • Budget spreadsheets
  • Guided meditations
  • Kids’ activity bundles
  • Home cleaning schedules

Once created, you can sell them on:

  • Etsy (great for printables)
  • Gumroad (great for anything)
  • Your own website (more control)

And you can price them from $3 to $30 or more. Multiply that by even 20 sales a month… that’s not nothing.

Is Being a Virtual Assistant Really a Thing?

Yes, and it’s a growing thing. Most small businesses can’t afford full-time help. But they need people who can:

  • Answer emails
  • Manage schedules
  • Post to Instagram or Pinterest
  • Do basic bookkeeping
  • Handle customer support

This is not some scammy “work from home” thing. Real businesses need real help. And you’ve got the skills already.

VA jobs are usually remote, flexible, and don’t require being online all day.

Start small. Offer 5–10 hours a week. Price yourself based on value, not just time.

Is Podcasting Too Late? Why It Might Be the Best Fit for Moms Who Love to Talk

So, is podcasting already over? Is it too late to start?
Nope. Not even close.

In fact, podcasting has finally become what blogging was ten years ago—open, personal, low-competition in niche topics, and a deep way to connect with real people.

And here’s the secret: most podcasts aren’t big.
Most aren’t trying to be.

They’re tiny and focused.
And weirdly… that’s exactly why they work.

Why Podcasts Work for Empty Nest Moms:

  • You don’t need to show your face
  • You can talk about anything you want (your way)
  • You can record in your car or closet
  • You can speak directly to people who feel exactly like you do
  • You can literally make money just by talking

Think of your voice like a bridge. People who feel alone, stuck, or uninspired—your voice can make them feel understood. That’s powerful.

But Wait—How Do I Start?

First off: no, you don’t need a studio.

You need:

That last part? That’s the only thing that actually matters.

You could do:

  • Short daily tips
  • Weekly stories
  • Interviews with friends or local makers
  • 10-minute encouragement episodes
  • Deep-dive rants (people love those, actually)

And as for making money?

Podcast Monetization 101:

StrategyDescription
SponsorshipsGet paid to mention products or services
Listener DonationsUse platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee
Affiliate MarketingMention tools or products you genuinely use
Repurpose as CourseUse podcast content as the basis for a digital course

Start messy. Start small. Don’t script the whole thing if you hate that. Just talk like you’re on the phone with a friend. That’s what works best anyway.

So… What’s the Catch? What Should I Know Before Starting Anything?

This part matters. Because a lot of blogs and posts about “side hustles” skip the part where… it’s not instant. And some days, it’s not fun either.

You will hit that point where no one’s buying, watching, reading, or booking. And it’ll make you second guess everything. That’s normal.

The biggest difference between moms who actually make money and the ones who quit?

They just kept going a little longer.

Here’s what to watch out for:

  • Overthinking: The blog doesn’t need to be perfect. Neither does the Etsy banner.
  • Overbuilding: Don’t spend 6 weeks planning something you could test in a weekend.
  • Underpricing: Don’t charge $5 for something that saves someone 3 hours.
  • Trying to be trendy: Your lived experience is more valuable than some TikTok fad.
  • Waiting for permission: No one’s coming to tap you on the shoulder and say it’s time. You just have to go.

Treat it Like a Real Thing (Even if It’s Small Right Now):

  • Set aside 3–5 hours per week just for your hobby-business
  • Track income, even if it’s $12. It counts.
  • Learn just one new thing a week—don’t drown in courses
  • Celebrate weird milestones (like getting your first email subscriber)

This isn’t about becoming a millionaire in six months. It’s about replacing emptiness with energy. About doing something that gives back, both financially and emotionally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much money can I really make from my hobbies?

It depends on what you choose. Some moms make a few hundred a month. Others turn it into a full-time income. It’s not about a magic number—it’s about consistency and niche.

What if I’m not tech-savvy? Can I still do this?

Yes. Most platforms are made for beginners. And YouTube has a tutorial for literally everything. Start with one thing and learn as you go.

How do I know if my idea is good enough?

You test it. Put it out there and see if anyone bites. You don’t need a fully-formed brand to try selling one product or post one video.

Isn’t the market too saturated?

Saturated just means popular. What matters is your take, your story, your way of explaining or making things.

Do I need social media to sell or promote?

It helps, but it’s not mandatory. Many people make money through marketplaces, SEO, email lists, or referrals without having a big online following.