No one stops you from doing mathematics for the romance of it, just as no one stops you from growing your own tomatoes. But if you want to grow tomatoes and make your living that way, it seems unlikely you'll make it if you go at it the same way people did 500 years ago.
Put another way - if you want your hobby to support you financially, it has to offer enough value for others, even if that value is "I enjoy knowing someone is doing this, without me benefiting directly". Simple as. Otherwise, accept it's just a hobby.
Put another way - if you want your hobby to support you financially, it has to offer enough value for others, even if that value is "I enjoy knowing someone is doing this, without me benefiting directly". Simple as. Otherwise, accept it's just a hobby.