The former isn't a decision to be taken lightly. It's also not a good idea if you're not in the right place mentally. Think of a company as an automobile that drains your emotional gas tank. If you start out with a low tank, you're going to have a bad time.
Side projects however are great provided you enjoy the experience and don't let it turn into a job.
Agreed. Although side project which might turn into a company is a low friction way of getting into the startup world. Fix a personal irritant into an app. Or try to solve some big hairy problem like AGI and stumble upon something fun and valuable.
Side projects however are great provided you enjoy the experience and don't let it turn into a job.