Passive income: NO

Earning passive income from DIY projects as a side hustle is challenging and rare. Most people who attempt this do not achieve true passivity. To make it passive, one would need to create a system where projects are automated or outsourced, such as selling pre-made kits or digital plans. However, this requires significant upfront work and investment. Only a few outliers manage to reach this level, often by leveraging platforms like Etsy or YouTube, where they can sell products or earn ad revenue. Many people mistakenly believe they can easily achieve passive income without understanding the effort needed to automate or scale. Realistically, it becomes passive for those who can effectively delegate or automate production, but not for those who rely solely on manual crafting. Misleading expectations often stem from success stories that don't highlight the initial hard work and ongoing management required.