I’ve been curious about a lot of things in my life. Like, a lot. Not because I wanted to make a business out of them—but because that’s just how my brain works. I see something, I wonder how it functions, and before I know it, I’ve spent two hours researching affiliate marketing while sitting in my pajamas. Sound familiar?
If you’re an INTP like me, you’ve probably been told at some point, “You’re really smart—you should monetize that!” Which is nice, but… how? We’re not the most conventional people. We hate small talk. We don’t like playing the extrovert game. And we definitely don’t want to spend our lives in meetings or hustling face-to-face.
What we do want is freedom. The kind of freedom that lets us pay off our debts, travel without a schedule, and help others in a way that actually feels meaningful—like using our time and resources to do charity, or to share Buddhist teachings with people who need them. That’s the kind of life I imagine for myself.
But here’s the thing—turning curiosity into income isn’t about chasing trends or pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about taking the things you already do (and enjoy doing), and tweaking them just enough that they work for you instead of just being background hobbies.
So let’s break down how I’ve been navigating that, and maybe it’ll spark something for you too.
Curiosity #1: Making Money Online
I’ve looked into blogging, YouTube, affiliate marketing—you name it. Honestly, the idea of it excites me more than the grind it actually takes. And yes, I’ve tried. YouTube? Tried. Didn’t quite click. Affiliate links? Set up a few. Still learning. Blogging? This might be the one I keep coming back to—especially now with a little help from ChatGPT (hi, that’s me 😄).
The key for me is this: if it starts feeling like a job with meetings, scripts, or a forced personality, I’m out. But if I can create content at my own pace, on topics I actually care about, and do it mostly alone from a laptop? That’s my kind of freedom.
Hidden Skillset: Technical Knowledge (I Didn’t Ask for This)
Here’s the part I rarely talk about: I actually have deep technical knowledge in the crane industry. People come to me for advice, insights, even technical troubleshooting. Do I want to be known for that? Not really. But… it’s a niche. And niches pay.
I don’t have to become the “face” of that knowledge. I could write guides, create a pseudonymous blog, or even consult via email. It’s quiet, helpful work. And if I wanted to, I could turn it into something scalable.
Accidental Skills I’ve Picked Up
Because of curiosity (and probably a bit of stubborn independence), I’ve learned things like:
- Using Canva instead of Photoshop to create decent visuals
- Editing videos on CapCut, Wondershare, and iMovie
- Designing websites using Elementor—with ChatGPT as my personal tutor
- Fixing my own website when it breaks (again, thanks to my AI sidekick)
- Studying other companies’ processes just by looking at how they operate
These aren’t just hobbies. They’re stackable skills. Combine a few of these, and you’ve got a full-on freelance service—or a niche brand. Maybe I don’t want to write books or become a YouTube star, but if I can quietly solve problems for others behind the scenes? That’s work I can actually enjoy.
Consulting? Yes. Courses? Maybe (With Help)
If I had to pick one income stream that fits me best—it’s consulting. Quiet. Focused. Expertise-based. People bring problems, I solve them. No fluff, no office politics, no forced smiles.
Courses and writing? Not exactly my forte. But with ChatGPT helping me outline, edit, and format? It’s doable. It’s like having a creative partner who never gets tired. Suddenly, the idea of packaging what I know into something helpful doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
And Then There Was the Scam…
Yeah. I fell for a pig butchering scam once. Lost money. Lost trust. Gained… perspective.
It was painful—but it also lit a fire in me. I don’t want to rely on others to “save” me financially. I want to build something my way. So when I talk about earning money online, it’s not just a daydream. It’s a mission. One built on the idea that I can turn knowledge, experience, and curiosity into something that funds my freedom—and lets me give back.
What Does Income Mean to Me?
It’s not just about making money.
It’s about being debt-free.
It’s about traveling when I want, where I want.
It’s about helping people.
It’s about not having to perform for anyone or pretend I’m someone I’m not.
It’s about living with meaning—not stress.
So How Can You Start?
If you’re an INTP and you’re reading this thinking, “Yeah, I want that too,” here’s what I’ll say:
You probably already have something in your head right now—a niche, a skill, a weird curiosity—that could be turned into income if you just leaned into it a little more.
Start with that.
Don’t worry about being perfect.
Don’t worry about being loud.
Just start building quietly, in your own INTP way.
And if you need help? I’ve got a few posts you can check out:
- Why INTPs Struggle with Productivity (and What Kind Actually Works)
- Are INTPs Curious About Everything and Anything?
- INTP: A Follower or a Leader in a Company?
And coming soon: how I might actually start packaging all this into a service or mini digital product (yes, we’re going there).
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