[hailk]

Side project is still a continuation of what you do for 8 hours everyday. Other activities are not. If your job was to hike everyday and then someone proposed side-hiking when you are back from your main hiking activity, I'm sure you would say "I'd rather just spend some time writing code".

[mk89]

And what about cooks? Do they also overwork in their free time when they make their own food?

[hailk]

Yes actually. Based on some of the Quora answers I've read, they don't enjoy cooking after coming home. But since cooking is an unavoidable activity (unlike a side project, you can't procrastinate with hunger) they might have to.

https://www.quora.com/How-often-do-chefs-cook-at-home

[mk89]

They are humans, of course they like and dislike doing things. However, that doesn't define work. You can also dislike your work. Still, you are paid for it.

[Grangar]

When I'm done for the day I don't want to sit in front of a computer any longer. I can understand why a cook would come home and just throw down a microwave meal. The issue here isn't getting paid, it's doing the same when you get home. My current employer won't renew my contract because I oppose this mentality, it's toxic and making me debate leaving IT altogether. He considers me lazy for that. Is some balance really too much to ask?

[mk89]

> My current employer won't renew my contract because I oppose this mentality

That's crazy. Everyone should be free to do whatever they want in their own free time.

>it's doing the same when you get home

That's what my colleague answered me when I asked him "why don't you have side projects?". Everyone should be able to choose whatever they want to do with their own free time.

I don't consider a side project as "the same thing I do at work", and I don't consider myself special.