I wish I never told anyone I worked or studied tech. Especially older family and friends, because their requests for help are relentless.
A lot of friends are chill with it, and I don’t mind doing a little bit of help, but sometimes people are who are OFFENDED when you don’t want to help. In the same way a contractor friend won’t remodel your home for free, I am not going to fix every single issue you have with your computer for free. I’m happy to give advice, but i’m not going to work for hours without pay to fix everything.
“Oh, I wish I could help, but I don’t know anything about that. That’s not my area of expertise.”
Get good at variations of that theme or you will be miserable. That or start a side business where you charge for your services.
Honestly ive helped so much ive been completely cemented in everyone’s mind as a generalist. I worked IT at a computer shop, even doing logic board level rework, fixing iPad and iPhone screens, cameras and ports, I woodwork so I can fix, put together and install most furniture kits, and make some original stuff, with that you become generally handy so ive done basic electrical and appliance repair (fixed the dishwasher, vacuum cleaner and some smaller things) and even some light plumbing when fixing toilets and sinks and leaks.
“Good workers are rewarded with more work” right?😭
And as long as you keep sharing that information with your friends and family, they’re going to keep expecting free help. You need to get used to saying “I don’t know”, even when you do.