Sympathy - I work in academia. Recently for me my enthusiasm eye-roll moment was when the HR director suddenly joined my Facebook group for runners and walkers at our workplace. I started it last year (crickets). But the new president is a runner (gasp) and so is HR director (what an opportunity), so suddenly we are signing up for group run events, getting t-shirts, and posing for bff race pictures. It is so campy and fake and I hate it even though I should be happy that my little obsession is gaining traction.

I really hope your side hustle pans out and you don't have to be trapped in another one of these little worlds, but I also hope you can find something to tide you over. If I knew the answer, I might be doing it. Good luck!