Should My Little Sister Become an Influencer or Get a 9–5? The Truth About Social Media Dreams

Watching my little sister grow into her own person is one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever witnessed. She’s smart, kind, creative, and endlessly hard-working. But lately, I’ve been having a tough internal debate: should she invest her time in becoming a social media influencer, or should she focus on a traditional 9–5 job? Both paths have their perks and pitfalls, and as someone who has seen friends chase online dreams — and some fail — I feel compelled to step back and think carefully.

We live in a world where social media dominates free time. Studies show that the average adult spends 2–3 hours a day scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook (Statista, 2024). That’s over 1,000 hours per year spent consuming other people’s content. And what’s striking is that we often see only the success stories: someone posting videos for a year and making $0, then suddenly earning $1,000 or more a month in year two. But what we rarely see is the thousands who fail, the long hours spent editing alone, the emotional toll, or the family members quietly supporting them as they chase these dreams.

The hard question is: how does someone like my sister — creative, hardworking, and incredibly motivated — decide which path to follow? I’ve seen friends who’ve gone all-in on social media: my best friend is a successful food blogger. He loves his work, makes good money, and is respected in his field. But he’s lonely. He edits alone, works alone, and most of the people interacting with his content are strangers he’ll never meet. He would do it again because he’s in the top 1% who made it, but the truth is, most people won’t reach that level.

So how do we decide? How do we weigh passion, creativity, financial stability, mental health, and long-term goals? Here are 8 questions I believe anyone should ask themselves — or a loved one — before pursuing a career as an influencer.

1. Why Do You Really Want This?

It’s easy to say you want to be an influencer because it looks fun or glamorous. But real success comes from deeper motivation: creativity, connection, and passion for a specific niche. People who chase followers or money first often burn out quickly. Ask yourself: do you love the process, or just the idea of the lifestyle? Research from the University of California shows that intrinsic motivation predicts long-term creative persistence far better than extrinsic rewards like likes or followers (UC Berkeley, 2023).

2. Are You Ready for the Work Behind the Fame?

Social media success isn’t just posting a few videos. It’s content planning, filming, editing, researching trends, engaging with followers, and analyzing algorithms — often alone. A 2023 survey of TikTok creators found that 80% spend more than 20 hours a week creating content, with most of that work done outside “fun” posting time. This is why many creators struggle with burnout: the workload is real.

3. How Do You Handle Rejection and Failure?

For every viral post, there are hundreds of failed attempts. Feedback can be brutal; trolls are real; growth is slow. If you can’t handle constructive criticism or negative comments, this path can be emotionally taxing. Learning resilience is essential — not optional. Psychologists note that people who approach failure as a learning opportunity, rather than a reflection of self-worth, are far more likely to succeed creatively (APA, 2023).

4. Do You Have a Support System?

Many influencers who succeed aren’t completely independent. Emotional, financial, or technical support from family or mentors is often critical. This isn’t weakness; it’s realistic. If my sister pursues social media full-time, she’ll need someone to lean on — whether for encouragement, guidance, or practical help — especially in the early months when income may be zero.

5. Are You Financially Prepared?

Unlike a traditional job, social media income is unpredictable. Many creators rely on sponsorships, affiliate marketing, selling products, or freelance work. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, 75% of creators supplement their income with additional jobs for the first 2–3 years. Can your sister handle financial uncertainty without stress, or does she need a more stable foundation first?

6. Are You Comfortable With Public Exposure?

Influencers live in a semi-public world. Putting thoughts, work, and life online invites scrutiny. My friend the food blogger faces criticism constantly, yet his work thrives because he balances authenticity with boundaries. My sister would need to decide how much of her life she wants to share — and how she’ll cope with people she doesn’t know judging her every post.

7. How Will This Affect Your Mental Health?

Social media can be addictive and stressful. Heavy users are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and burnout (APA, 2023). Even if she loves creating, she needs strategies to maintain mental health: scheduled breaks, boundaries, and a clear separation between work and personal life.

8. Are You Willing to Pivot If It Doesn’t Work Out?

Life doesn’t guarantee viral success. Many creators pivot to other careers, return to school, or combine social media with a traditional job. The key is flexibility — your identity shouldn’t be tied to your follower count. My sister could start building a brand while keeping a part-time job, creating a safety net for experimentation.

Pros and Cons: Influencer vs. 9–5

Path	Pros	Cons
Influencer	Creative freedom, flexible hours, potential high income, personal brand	High risk, emotional stress, isolation, financial instability
9–5	Stable income, benefits, routine, networking opportunities	Less creative freedom, slower personal brand growth, potential boredom

Both paths teach resilience, creativity, and self-awareness. Both can lead to fulfillment, just in different ways. The difference is how prepared you are to handle uncertainty, isolation, and failure.

Lessons From Real-Life Creators

My friend the food blogger is proof that success is possible. He enjoys creative freedom and makes good money, but he is extremely lonely. He works alone, edits alone, and his fanbase is virtual. He would choose the same path because it aligns with his values, but most people won’t be in that top 1%.

Conversely, a friend of mine who works in a 9–5 loves the stability and structure but sometimes struggles with boredom and creativity. The point is, there’s no perfect answer — only trade-offs.

Planning Before Taking the Leap

If my sister chooses to pursue social media, planning is key. Here are a few steps she could take:

1. Create a clear niche and brand identity.

2. Set realistic goals and milestones.

3. Budget for equipment, apps, and marketing.

4. Build a safety net with a side income or savings.

5. Schedule mental health breaks and boundaries for screen time.

Preparation doesn’t eliminate risk, but it reduces it and increases chances of sustainable success.

Why It’s Okay to Change Your Mind

Life is not linear. Careers change. Passions evolve. Dreams shift. My sister — and anyone thinking of pursuing social media — should know that trying and pivoting isn’t failure. Experimentation is part of growth. The worst regret isn’t failure, it’s never trying at all.

Final Thoughts

The truth is simple: social media can be an exciting, lucrative, and creative path — but it comes with challenges that shouldn’t be ignored. A 9–5 job is safe, stable, and offers structure — but it may not satisfy every creative ambition.

For my sister, the question isn’t about choosing the “right” path. It’s about choosing the path that aligns with her values, creativity, and mental health — with planning, patience, and courage.

She can try one route, pivot if it doesn’t work, or combine both. And if she fails? That’s a lesson. If she succeeds? That’s growth. Either way, she learns and evolves.

We’re allowed to change chapters, pursue our passions, and take calculated risks. Life is short — and the only real regret is the chance we didn’t take.

Love Rubie xoxo