> The best way to avoid turning a meditative hobby into a job is to resist the urge to monetize it.

This is exactly what I meant. However OP started off talking about switching careers.

As a hobby they are doing great, producing stuff they need and having fun doing that. No-one can criticize this.

> Your basic carpentry diss is unwarranted IMHO.

If it's a hobby sure, absolutely. I think the stuff they are doing is fine.

But as a new career this is going to be very tough if they don't up their game into some direction that is either very efficient volume production or high quality design and craftsmanship. There are obviously also education and youtube paths but both have also tough requirements.

Even famous fine furniture makers are complaining that it is very tough to live off commissions.

Author here! Don't worry, I'm well aware that what I can create currently can't be sold :) what I can currently do is like an MVP in wood, I cut a lot of corners (literally) just to see the thing done, and live with the defects. A client would not live with the defects, they would want something perfect for their money.

I didn't really mean "switching careers" although I see how that can be read that way. I meant more like leaving the current app income stagnate until it goes down, and in that time I would eventually find a more physical job to support me. Not necessarily woodworking.

I watch youtubers that work their asses off to earn thousands of dollars on a piece they've worked months, and like I said there's no undo. A mistake can set you back a lot. I know we have it good in software.

I don't know if I'll ever have the skills to create wood things that I would be able to sell. I'm thinking maybe I could do that with Kavals, there's less expectation and competition there. But furniture.. I don't know, I will probably end up in the same state as with software.