The former isn't a decision to be taken lightly. It's also not a good idea if you're not in the right place mentally. Think of a company as an automobile that drains your emotional gas tank. If you start out with a low tank, you're going to have a bad time.

Side projects however are great provided you enjoy the experience and don't let it turn into a job.

I think part of ops problem is having a purpose. There is nothing like having a company to force that.

Agreed. Although side project which might turn into a company is a low friction way of getting into the startup world. Fix a personal irritant into an app. Or try to solve some big hairy problem like AGI and stumble upon something fun and valuable.