Weird “hobby” or not?

[IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory]

I don’t know why I care really if people think it’s weird but I do.

For years I have wanted to take some massage courses and do a small bit of work with it. As a sort of hobby. I have a background in the beauty industry but left it years ago- had a very brief introduction to massage and loved it but the industry itself didn’t work for me at that time. I’ve always hankered after going back to do the massage training but bill paying job and DCs took priority. I have a full time job so this isn’t intended to be a change in career or anything but I now have more free time and am thinking of doing the courses. When qualified I have a room at home I could work from. It’s totally unrelated to the job I’ve been doing for years. Will people think I’m weird? I don’t need any income from it so it isn’t like I would be doing it for a second job- just because I like it.

No, they’ll just think you’re a massage therapist

Not weird at all! I know a lady working in retail who has trained in massage and does it around her full time hours, building a bit of a word of mouth following. I have done very basic massage as part of my voluntary work and it's a really rewarding thing to do so can understand wanting to learn more!

AS long as both you and the set up / room is professional , ideally a clear room no personal stuff in it and a uniform something like a white tunic or such like I cant see why anyone would think is weird , though you may want to refrain from calling it a hobby !

Yes I’m only calling it a hobby in my own head. If I was to start working it would be taken seriously. I think because I live in a small town, everyone knows everyone and people know I work at X so might think it’s weird if I started doing this but I suppose lots of people do Avon or run yoga classes in addition to their full time work. Thanks everyone.

When you say weird, have people been making jokes about happy endings and such like? If so completely ignore them.

Lots of people have extra little jobs that they enjoy on the side . I do , it’s like getting time to do something you enjoy and money is a bonus. Good luck !

No I haven’t even said to anyone that I’m considering it mucky so nothing like that. I think it’s just me spending too much time in my own head and overthinking it

Thanks metal

Ah right! I only ask as the lady I mentioned came in for a fair bit of that. Good luck with it!

I did something similar and sorry if this pisses on your chips, but you'll still need insurances, equipment and a reasonable amount of record keeping even as a hobby. Basically if you're charging people (and arguably even if you aren't), you'll also need to do a tax return and declare the income...

Thanks mucky

Oh yes I know all that sunshine I worked from home waaaay back when I first trained so I know the score on that front. Thanks though.